Music and creativity go hand in hand. Without one, the other’s hard to come by. To be more than just an average, run-of-the-mill musician, you’ll need to tap into your creative powers, which, let’s face it, can sometimes be easier said than done. While many view creativity as an elusive, random occurrence, in reality, creativity is a skill like any other that must be flexed and practiced just as you would your instrument. To help you channel this holy grail known as creativity, we’ve compiled a list of five simple creativity exercises that are guaranteed to spur your creative juices in no time. The ability to foster creativity, along with the skills learned during your music lessons in Scottsdale, will give you the edge you need to be a truly standout musician.
- Write It Out
Studies have shown that the simple act of writing down ideas can inspire other ideas. Start by writing down a word or phrase followed by any other associations that come to mind. Then let your mind wander and see where it takes you. Be sure to jot down any other noteworthy ideas or phrases as they come to you. If you’re more of a visual person, try doodling instead of writing, which will have the same desired effect. Both of these activities have been known to jumpstart the creative process and unleash hidden ideas.
- Listen to music
As a musician, you undoubtedly listen to a great deal of music. Whether for enjoyment on your own or for learning purposes during your drum, bass or guitar lessons, it’s safe to say that listening to music is something you do on a regular basis. The next time you want to be more creative, put on some jams to help facilitate the process. But for this creativity exercise, you’ll want to actively listen to the music and give it your full attention. With the right mindset and the right song, music can have powerful effects on the mind and body, such as inducing relaxation, sparking inspiration, and even increasing focus, all of which can make it easier to tap into your creative side.
3.Unplug
With so many electronic devices ruling our daily lives, it’s easy to get distracted by the chiming of text messages or the sounds of new emails bombarding your inbox. With so much going on around us, it can be hard to stay focused and give your creative side the energy it needs to produce innovative thoughts. To combat this problem, try unplugging from all technology for a few hours and instead spend time by yourself. To make it a creativity exercise, use that time to reflect on your emotions and do a little bit of self-inquiry. By being present and fully experiencing your emotions, you’ll be more likely to draw upon your creative energy and allow it to take shape.
- Exercise
No list of creativity exercises would be complete without mentioning physical exercise. Something a simple as talking a walk, whether indoors or outdoors, can do wonders for your creative output. Physical activity can help to clear your mind and refresh your thinking, thus allowing you to better concentrate on new ideas that are waiting to be explored!
- Change Your Environment
Have you ever gotten an amazing new haircut and instantly felt like a brand new person or, at the very least, refreshed and ready to take on the world? The same outcome is possible when you change your surroundings.When trying to ignite creative thinking, consider venturing to a new location or surrounding yourself with people, places, or things that you find inspiring. This small change can help stimulate creative energy and facilitate the birth of new ideas and inventions.
No matter which of these creativity exercises you try, remember that creativeness doesn’t happen overnight. Like all worthwhile skills, it takes time to develop. Although creativity can’t be taught, practically everything else that’s needed to be a brilliant musician can. Give one of our group or private music lessons a try and see for yourself. Who knows…it may just spark your creative spirit after all!