As my composition students work hard to shape strong melodies, I try to remind them to have faith in the next melody.
It takes pressure off of my current project to know that there will always be another melody. I still try to craft the piece I am working on into its best form, but I also know that I will write again. In fact, I am more able to improve my current piece objectively, because I am not emotionally hooked by creative fear.
When we begin creating, it’s easy to assume that the music we are working on might be the last piece we write. That can put a lot of pressure on us to get it exactly right.
Taking that pressure off is key to not seizing up and developing a block; so it’s paramount to remember to have faith in the next melody. And the one after that.