Being not the most original old fogie,and having got into a bit of a competition with a mate to write some new "trad" type dance tunes, the reason being in part the problems relating to PRS etc. I could do with a bit of help. I can sometimes bounce off the general rhythmical structure of a new favourite tune and make a stab at an altered "copy", but I've tried all sorts of tricks to come up with new melodic hooks and tags, to base a new structure around, including playing bits of tunes backwards, and trying to take hook lines from those tunes you find yourself whistling unconsciously, (before you ask they include I'm forever blowing bubbles, and Rudolph the red nose reindeer) although I never can find a way to use them without it being pretty obvious from what they derive. I also find that waltzes are by far the easiest type of tune to write, although I'm not sure why. I'd love to know what others do, or whether the ideas spontaneously arive in embryo in tunesmiths minds?