it is the most sublime, abstract and greatest artform.

I agree with other folks saying that just sitting down and playing for the joy of sound is as valid as trying to make something that 'means' something.

That said, when I'm particularly in the mood to capture a feeling there isn't an easy way to explain how I do that since everyone's tools are different (words? guitar? sine wave generator?). To paraphrase the Red House Painters, you just have to play until the thing sounds the way you feel. Honestly, the only way to get good at that is to play. A lot.

When you start to know your tools inside and out you can use them more efficiently, which is the best way to not lose the feeling you had when you started.

The Inspiration Station

Interesting to see all of the different opinions in here! Obviously everyone's going to have a different take on it, but for me I've noticed that I can articulate my feelings far more instrumentally than with lyrics. After all, music is the universal language . The beauty of it is everyone that listens to your music will have a slightly different reaction, while you may intend on expressing one thing, your music may express something completely different to someone else (death of the author).

As far as inspiration goes, I like to play. If you aren't having fun then you are doing it wrong. Often I will hear a short musical phrase that I like, stop the music, and then dissect what I just heard in as many ways as possible: chop it up, add or remove notes, play it slower or faster, in a different key, distort it until it's unrecognizable and stands on its own.

Everything is stolen, thoughts aren't original, they are just reinterpreted reflections of each other, so don't be afraid to draw ideas from other artists you like. Study music theory until you can listen to a song you like and articulate precisely what you enjoy about it. A lot of people want to sound like "this band" or "that artist," I think it's more beneficial to sound like "that one part of that one song that sounds amazing." If you like a certain song, try to listen to until it hits the point that speaks to you the most. Try to figure out exactly what it is you like about that one part and try to recreate it (for study purposes). I learned a lot about what appeals to me as a composer by writing out guitar tabs for my favorite bands.

Draw inspiration for everything, as in literally everything. I've written two songs inspired by specific farts I produced this month. Are the songs good? It doesn't matter, I had fun and I learned from it. Play and write music in your head everyday until you can't stop it from happening. Hear music in everything. This will drive you insane but will make you a better artist in the end. Be prolific, instead of spending a week or a month on a song, spend 2 hours or less, make song "sketches." Artists sketch and make gesture drawings / figure drawings, game designers participate in 2-3 day game jams, it is a universally known concept that doing something quick and often will build up your skill set faster than anything.

That's all I can think of from the top of my head, hope it helps! Obviously my advice doesn't apply to everyone, but it's worked for me so far .

Just chiming in to say how interesting this thread has been to read...for me, just trusting in your music and losing yourself to the process is the best possible approach, at least in the start. Self-trust is paramount!

It can generate emotion, but not necessarily the one the artist intended; certain linkin park songs make me happy because the sounds are nice, even if the lyrics are almost always depressing emo shit.