How to Stay Inspired as a New Music Producer During a Creative Block
Creative blocks are part of every music producer's journey—especially when you’re just starting out. One day you’re full of ideas, the next you’re staring at an empty DAW session wondering where your flow went. The truth is: it happens to everyone. And the good news? Blocks don’t last forever. Here are a few ways to stay inspired and keep creating, even when it feels like your creativity is running on empty.
5/25/20252 min read
1. Change Your Approach
If you always start with drums, try starting with chords. If you’ve been making the same genre for weeks, dip into something else. Switching your approach—even just once—can help break mental patterns and spark something fresh.
2. Limit Yourself (In a Good Way)
Creative freedom is great, but too many options can actually slow you down. Try limiting yourself to 3 instruments or one plugin. Working within constraints often forces new ideas to emerge.
3. Revisit Your Old Projects
Go through your unfinished beats or loops. There might be gold in there that just needed a fresh perspective—or a simple tweak. Sometimes “old” ideas just needed a little distance.
4. Take a Real Break
If nothing is clicking, give yourself permission to step away. Not to scroll, but to disconnect. Take a walk. Listen to music just to enjoy it. You’d be surprised how often the best ideas arrive when you're not trying so hard.
5. Surround Yourself with Inspiration
Watch breakdowns of your favorite tracks. Read interviews with producers you look up to. Let other people’s processes fuel your own curiosity and drive.
6. Keep a Journal
Document your sessions. Write down what worked, what didn’t, and any small ideas you want to revisit. This can help you see your growth and make your creative process feel more intentional.
Helpful Tools for Beginner Producers :
If you’re looking to improve your workflow or stay inspired, here are a few tools that many new producers find helpful. These are all items I genuinely think can support your process:
MIDI Controller : AKAI MPK Mini MK3
Compact, beginner-friendly, and powerful enough for beatmaking, melodies, and triggering samples.Hardware Sampler : Korg Volca Sample 2
A fun, screen-free way to create loops, flip samples, and jam hands-on.Audio Interface : Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen)
Clean audio input for recording vocals, guitars, or even live instruments. Simple, solid, and built for beginners.Creative Note-Taking : Rocketbook Reusable Notebook
Track your sessions, sketch beat ideas, and scan to the cloud. Great for producers who like to plan things out by hand.Studio Mood Lighting : Govee RGB LED Strip Lights
Set the vibe for your space and make long sessions feel less like work.Recommended Reading : Making Music: 74 Creative Strategies for Electronic Music Producers . Straightforward advice from Ableton’s team on how to move through creative blocks and build better habits.
Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools that I truly believe can help fellow producers stay inspired and keep creating.