Love this. Mining is definitely how I think about developing a voice. Slowly shedding the layers of bullshit that accumulate over a life. And sometimes actually making the bullshit in order to finally move past it. I think all this is related to the phrase "getting to know oneself," which I loveeeee, especially for its implied insistence on listening rather than imposing.
“Somehow, between the notes, within them, in the air that grows elastic in their midst, Eastman creates an energy that reliably infects performers and audiences with his spirit: joyful, irreverent, mischievous, incandescent.”
There it is!
Whether by aspiration, intention, or accident. That’s the place I want to reach and call myself a composer.
I found these comments incredibly heartening and encouraging. I'm a songwriter and a teacher of songwriting who has made some cautious forays into the world of "serious composition" and find the expectations of the community quite intimidating at times. The emphasis on complexity and virtuosity can make for a forbidding edifice. Thanks for these comments. I'm reminded of Oliver Wendell Holmes quote: "I would not give a fig for the simplicity this side of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity."
As a person finding my way into composition in my forties, off all the usual educational and professional tracks, I found this essay both wise and helpful. I’ll be filing it away!
I am happy to read your reflection. Learning to align ourselves with our intrinsic motivators instead of extrinsic motivators can be one of the hardest lessons in life.
Just a quick note to say I greatly enjoyed the performance of "Stay On It" at the Reser! Looking forward to the Open Music series coming up early next year.
This is so lovely! Out of curiosity, do you think there's anything to be said for the imitative, artificial period of a young artist's life as part of their development? Similarly, is there value in a young artist following that Complexity Equals Quality instinct to its natural conclusion as part of their journey to finding a voice? Or do you think those lessons can be learned in other ways?
Love this. Mining is definitely how I think about developing a voice. Slowly shedding the layers of bullshit that accumulate over a life. And sometimes actually making the bullshit in order to finally move past it. I think all this is related to the phrase "getting to know oneself," which I loveeeee, especially for its implied insistence on listening rather than imposing.
“Somehow, between the notes, within them, in the air that grows elastic in their midst, Eastman creates an energy that reliably infects performers and audiences with his spirit: joyful, irreverent, mischievous, incandescent.”
There it is!
Whether by aspiration, intention, or accident. That’s the place I want to reach and call myself a composer.
I found these comments incredibly heartening and encouraging. I'm a songwriter and a teacher of songwriting who has made some cautious forays into the world of "serious composition" and find the expectations of the community quite intimidating at times. The emphasis on complexity and virtuosity can make for a forbidding edifice. Thanks for these comments. I'm reminded of Oliver Wendell Holmes quote: "I would not give a fig for the simplicity this side of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity."
As a person finding my way into composition in my forties, off all the usual educational and professional tracks, I found this essay both wise and helpful. I’ll be filing it away!
I am happy to read your reflection. Learning to align ourselves with our intrinsic motivators instead of extrinsic motivators can be one of the hardest lessons in life.
Just a quick note to say I greatly enjoyed the performance of "Stay On It" at the Reser! Looking forward to the Open Music series coming up early next year.
I stumbled upon this right now, and I’ll just say I apparently needed this exact message at this exact moment, thank you!
This is so lovely! Out of curiosity, do you think there's anything to be said for the imitative, artificial period of a young artist's life as part of their development? Similarly, is there value in a young artist following that Complexity Equals Quality instinct to its natural conclusion as part of their journey to finding a voice? Or do you think those lessons can be learned in other ways?