{"id":29669,"date":"2017-01-24T13:01:35","date_gmt":"2017-01-24T18:01:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=29669"},"modified":"2025-05-02T18:05:02","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T22:05:02","slug":"insound-10-ways-to-get-out-of-a-creative-rut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/insound-10-ways-to-get-out-of-a-creative-rut\/","title":{"rendered":"InSound: 10 Ways to Get Out of a Creative Rut"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part of a regular Adorama Learning Center series,\u00a0Sara Landeau\u2019s\u00a0\u2018InSound\u2019 explores the best in audio gear, how-to\u2019s and interviews with other musicians. \u00a0Read previous installments here<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Are you feeling uninspired lately? If so, don’t beat yourself up – instead, be proactive and realize that as easy as it was to fall into that rut, there is also an easy way out. \u00a0All it takes is a little effort, and you’ll be on to your next creative idea in no time.<\/p>\n

Here are 10 simple steps to get out of a creative rut and start feeling inspired again:<\/p>\n

1. Field record everything.<\/strong> On the last European tour, I created a sonic diary by recording unfamiliar sounds and environments, capturing the foreign culture, and documenting the chatty walks to the stage as well as the shows themselves. And don\u2019t just use your phone. Try a 4-channel handheld stereo recorder<\/a> with adjustable microphones. The fidelity is undeniable and you\u2019ll never want to record with your phone again. Get creative with the clips, put them into your songs, or just listen for unexplored sounds.<\/p>\n

2. Simplify your environment.<\/strong> To paraphrase Patti Smith from her book \u201cM Train\u201d as she investigated her new Rockaway seaside bungalow property, \u201call I needed was a place to think, make spaghetti, brew coffee, and to write.\u201d If you can\u2019t afford a seaside home, clear off a table or area and make a day for yourself without any unnecessary mental or physical distractions.<\/p>\n

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Saturday night. Working on an MFA in Sonic Arts. This cat<\/a><\/p>\n

A photo posted by Sara Landeau (@saralandeau) on