quick trick for when you feel stuck

My dearest Tortured Composer,

Have you ever had this experience? 

You're sitting at the piano, staring at the blank page, the blank DAW, the empty staff paper…

And nothing comes. 

The creative well has run dry.

But then something strange happens...

You put on a podcast, something not too engaging, just background noise, and suddenly your fingers start moving. 

Ideas begin to flow. Melodies emerge.

And 10 minutes later, you're so engrossed in composing that you turn the podcast off without even realizing it.

I had this exact experience recently, and it made me wonder: 

What's happening in our brains when we "distract" part of our mind to free up the creative process?

During a recent conversation with my composition teacher, I learned about a technique used by none other than Glenn Gould.

When Gould was young, his mother would occasionally vacuum while he practiced. 

Instead of being annoyed by this intrusion, Gould noticed something.

When he couldn't hear himself playing clearly, he entered a state of hyper-concentration. 

His practice became more efficient and effective.

Later in life, Gould would intentionally recreate this effect by putting on background noise when faced with a technical problem. 

As my teacher explained to me, "If there was a technical issue with a piece, Gould would put on something really loud and then keep practicing. Nine times out of ten, that would solve the problem."

It sounds counterintuitive, but I believe there's a framework we can derive from this peculiar phenomenon:

The Distracted Focus Framework

1. The Left-Brain Trap: When composing, our logical, verbal left brain often becomes overly critical and analytical, creating what my teacher calls a "chatter" that blocks creative flow.

2. The Conscious Distraction: By introducing a mild distraction (podcast, ambient noise, even distant music), that chattering part of your brain becomes occupied, allowing your creative right brain to work unimpeded.

3. The Flow Gateway: As your critical faculties are gently diverted, you can more easily slip into a flow state where time disappears and creation becomes effortless.

4. The Transition Moment: Eventually, you become so engrossed in your creative work that you naturally tune out or turn off the distraction. A sign that you've fully entered the creative zone.

I've tried this with podcasts, ambient cafe noise, and even (don't judge me) by putting on Renaissance music like composer Brian Ferneyhough reportedly does.

To my surprise, it works super well. 

It's almost like placing bait for your critical, doubting mind. 

The podcast catches your inner critic's attention, while your creative self slips away to play.

Next time you feel stuck, bogged down by self-criticism or analysis-paralysis, try this technique. 

Put on something mildly interesting—not so engaging that it steals all your attention, but just enough to occupy that chattering part of your brain.

Then watch what happens as your creative self, now unburdened, begins to compose freely.

I'd love to hear if this works for you. Hit reply and let me know what distractions unlock your creativity.

And remember...

The world waits for your music...

Luke

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