Most music in the world today is created using a twelve-tone system.  It's interesting to think that after thousands and thousands of years, people are still coming up with new ideas and combinations using these seemingly few notes.  Of course, more goes into a song than just the notes...there's rhythm and the actual sounds that are used to convey the idea.  Lyrics can obviously play a big role in musical communication as well.  Each person's individuality, filtered and magnified through his own personal experience of living in this world, certainly contributes to the notion that there's a lot of territory left to mine in those twelve notes.

While music can seem derivative (and often is), each musician brings his own perspective and inherent voice to the process of creative discovery.  Sometimes it seems as if everything has already been done before; yet even if music doesn't ring of something completely original (from either a technical or content perspective), an individual's interpretation and manipulation of the twelve-note system can still be a valid and worthwhile expression.

I've often stressed how much I value originality when I've written about my own personal musical tastes.  I admire people who are able to invest enough of themselves into their art, so that their expression resonates with something unique and personal.  This doesn't mean that a musician needs to re-invent the wheel when making music....to me, it means having a combination of personal integrity, child-like proclivity to wonder and explore, and respect for tradition while not being afraid to lay it aside at the appropriate times.  Ironically, when babies sing in the cradle, they probably don't know what they are doing.  They have no idea of what tradition is, and I'm sure that personal integrity is a foreign concept at such an early age (though, babies might actually embody the purest form of integrity).  They are simply expressing themselves without thought.  I can analyze music to death here; but I bet that a baby's natural and unpremeditated song brings as much enjoyment to God as the song of the most proficient and educated musician.

As personal as expression is, the reception by the listener is equally unique.  We all like different things, and not liking something on an artistic level should not determine its worth to somebody else (tell this to the people who decide what gets played on radio or TV).  Each person has his own set of preferences and standards of what good art is.  Unfortunately, a lot of these standards are shaped and influenced by an industry whose ultimate motive is to earn money rather than to nurture the artistic expression of musicians.

Success is another concept which means different things to different musicians.  To some, success means signing a recording contract and becoming a star.  Some musicians may not require the trappings of stardom to feel successful.  Rather, playing in a band and just making enough money to pay the bills might be what it takes to be happy.  To others, it primarily means creating music that expresses whatever they want to, whenever they want to.  For most people, the latter is the realistic and attainable option.  I'm not saying one has to limit or compromise their goals to conform to this idea.  I think that the happiest musicians are those who retain a degree of control over their artistic processes, however that control is defined.  Being able to make music with the simple idea of self-expression as the priority is empowering, as opposed to when meeting and fulfilling the obligations and expectations of others is the driving force.  That said, it isn't automatically a bad thing to be in a situation where business considerations and opportunities for making a profit off one's music need to be taken into account.

There are many books on the market instructing people "how to write songs."  The implication is that there is a right and wrong way to create music.  This idea is ridiculous to me when its presented in such a black and white manner.  What should be emphasized is that there are ways to write songs that might appeal to a wider audience of people.  Perhaps I'm being a little melodramatic.... many people think that something is gospel just because it's in print.  A lot of readers don't understand that such books really should be regarded as suggestions or tips for "better" songwriting...just as anything written here is opinion.  A musician looking to gain knowledge from others is a wise musician.  There are always new things to be learned, and sometimes a book on songwriting, for instance, can indeed impart valuable wisdom that will enhance one's work.  A musician, though, should not be stifled creatively by fears of not making music correctly.  Has anyone every really written an "incorrect" song?

I am admittedly turned off by how formulaic some music and songwriting processes seem to be.  I do believe that there is good and bad music out there...but only if we use our personal standards to determine such designations.  Having a "formula" for making music is not a bad thing unto itself.  What's bad is when one model or method is imposed upon people collectively, while disregarding the very essence of what art depends on:  individuality.  Yet, as a music teacher and someone who is a bit idealistic when it comes to musing about most of the topics in these articles, I strive to eliminate the judgments of what is "bad" when encouraging others to express themselves.

My whole musical philosophy is based upon the premise that each and every person in existence has the capacity to make a valid musical expression.  That doesn't mean that everybody is going to like that expression.  Because we are judgmental creatures, I don't think it's possible for any musician and his work to be totally and completely embraced by everyone else.  Sadly, the fear of being rejected or disapproved of in some way prevents many people from even trying to express themselves.  There is some irony to what I'm trying to say here.  I'm simultaneously advocating the de-emphasis of negative judgments while encouraging the development of personal standards  (ie: become educated enough to develop strong personal opinions about music whether they are positive or negative).

When I sit down to write a song, more specifically a lyrical song, I often think about trying to come up with something clever or something that hasn't been said before.  I think I occasionally place too much emphasis on how somebody else will receive the final product.  As an adult who probably has thought too much about the process rather than the expression, this has prevented me at times from developing a musical idea that may have been heartfelt and valid...yet was scrapped for fears of being cliched or non-original...all for avoiding the criticism of someone who might say "That is non-original and not special."  Face it, there are only so many ways to refer to the heart, or to say "I love you."  If a moratorium was placed upon love songs after the first one was written, I have no idea what we would have filled the empty space and silence with.  Maybe we would have written songs lamenting how we couldn't write love songs anymore?

I believe that the primary purpose of music is to express yourself...to tell the world what it feels like to be who you are.  If you can make other people happy or lift their spirits along the way, then that is a rewarding bonus.  If you feel that writing another blues song that begins with "I woke up this morning" is the best way to communicate what you are trying to say, then why not do it?

From a guitar perspective, there are a number of players, both amateur and professional alike, who seem wrapped up in emulating others without displaying much originality on their own behalf.   Generally speaking, I am not profoundly touched by guitarists who sound too much like someone else in an obvious fashion, or by those who seem consumed with copying every little nuance in a given artist's approach to musical phrasing and equipment.  Despite this, I see a value in learning from one's favorite players....paying homage through imitation is not only a wonderful statement of flattery, it can also provide a tremendous opportunity for learning and absorbing lessons that the masters have to give.

If I were to apply my idealistic and non-judgmental approach to things, I wouldn't have a problem with the "clones" that dot the musical landscape.  The beauty is that it doesn't necessarily matter what I or anyone else thinks.  Still, I find that the most productive and stimulating mindset is to take from other players what inspires you, while not being afraid to find your own voice and interpretations in music.  After all, is there really such a thing as originality anymore?  Originality actually depends upon rearranging certain elements of things that have been done before.  I contend that true originality occurs by the simple virtue of being an individual.  Can we really create?  We may be created in the image of our Creator, as many spiritual texts say; but perhaps all we can really do is discover.

The twelve notes have been in place since the beginning of time.  We are still discovering what we can do with them.  Last I checked, there have not been any new notes discovered (though there is speculation that Roseanne Barr's rendition of the national anthem came close). {editor's note:  that is an opinion that attempts to render Roseanne's self-expression as an invalid entity.   }

In the end, every musician and artist needs to feel liberated to express themselves without being fundamentally limited.  Many people rely upon something in print to tell them that everything is okay...that it's alright to be yourself and sing your own song.  For some, it may mean a good review in a newspaper or the praise from a peer.  Singers and instrumentalists often take comfort in messages encouraging them to make a sound without regard for the boundaries often imposed by destructive criticism.

For those who need the encouragement and inspiration to express yourself musically, regardless of ability, consider this to be your message of assurance that it's okay to play your song!  I may not like it....but you should do it.
 

Jason