Have you hit that wall that’s called writer's block? I know how you feel. Today we’re going to talk about some different ways to get past that wall when you’re trying to write a song. The first tip is to learn a riff from one of your favorite artists. I’m not saying to copy them, but as you're learning, ask yourself: "How would I play this if I was in that artist’s shoes?" This simple question can spark endless new ideas.
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Change the Rhythm
Another way you can spark creativity is to change the rhythm of a riff. Notice in the example below how all the notes are exactly the same, but they each have a completely different feel.
Tweak the Dynamics
You can also take this exact riff and change the dynamic of it. "Dynamic" means controlling the volume of each note. For example, pick the first note soft and the second note hard—you’ll notice how the riff sounds completely different and gains a new sense of groove.
Shift the Timing
You can change when you start and end the riff. Let’s say you normally start the riff on the "one" beat. Instead, rest on the "one" and start the riff on the "two." This will change the whole feel of the phrase, as shown in the example below.
Use Articulation (like Bends)
Adding articulations like bends can completely transform a riff. Below is a full-step bend, but you could also use a half-step bend, slides, hammer-ons, or vibrato to give your ideas a more vocal, expressive quality.
Change the Time Signature
A more advanced but powerful technique is to change the time signature of a riff. This will completely re-contextualize the idea and can lead to very unique results. Here’s an example:
Frequently Asked Questions
The fastest way is to impose limitations. Instead of trying to write anything, give yourself a specific, simple task. For example, 'I will write a one-measure riff using only three notes,' or 'I will take a riff I already know and play it with a completely different rhythm.' These constraints remove the pressure of infinite choice and force you to be creative in a focused way.
This is a common issue that can be solved by varying your techniques. If you normally play eighth notes, try playing triplets or sixteenth notes (change the rhythm). If you always play loud, try playing softly with accents (change the dynamics). If you only pick every note, try using techniques like bends, slides, and hammer-ons (change the articulation). Small changes to these elements can completely transform a familiar idea.
While not strictly necessary, learning music theory is like giving yourself a map. It doesn't tell you where to go, but it shows you all the possible roads and why they work. Understanding concepts like scales and chord relationships can open up new creative avenues and help you make more intentional songwriting choices.
Conclusion
Notice how through this whole article we've basically repeated the same notes. The reason is to illustrate that you don’t absolutely need to use more notes to create different riffs for a song. Some of the best songwriters in the world repeat the same two or three chords but just tweak one little thing—like rhythm or dynamics—and that one little tweak creates a whole different riff. The goal is to look at songwriting from a different angle.
About the author: Zach Payton is a guitar teacher based out of Lewiston, Idaho who helps his students grow to become better musicians.
This Article is written by Zach Payton for Osterlohguitaracademy.com. See our website for more articles and inquiries!
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