All Music is Original. No Music is Original

All music is original. No music is original.

In my previous article about my music, I went over my compositional focus and my history as a composer from the time I was 14 until present day. Today I truly believe in the duality of music; while all music is original, no music is original.

What do I mean by all music is original? Well, every piece of music that is composed and performed is original in some way. Whatever you write is original to the time and place it it composed. Whatever you write is original to you and your compositional approach. When you perform music your performance is original; it is original to the time and place you perform it.

My view of originality might seem a little touchy-feely and everyone gets a gold star because it is. Music, and art in general, is just that, art. The art of creation is such a unique and individual experience that no matter what you create it is special and precious to you. If you write a children’s song that is simple, fun, and only uses one chord it is original in its own right. If you write a symphony that needs 1,000 performers and takes an hour to perform, it is original in its own right..

Music is unique in that it connects people in a way that other art forms do not. It emotionally connects people via sounds for a limited duration of time. Because of this music is limited and is essentially scarce (most do not think of it that way since music is everywhere you go). When we listen to music we connect to it, we love it because it has our full attention and when it is gone we miss and desire it.

Now the other side, what do I mean that no music is original? Just that; no matter what you write or perform it is a rare occasion that anything you might write or perform, according to the definition, is actually original.

When the Beatles burst upon the US scene in 1964 was their music original? No. If you analyze “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, “Blackbird”, or “I am the Walrus” are these songs original? No. They use standard melodies, use mostly standard harmonies, sometimes have creative lyrics, and use some interesting instrumentation. Is four good looking guys performing on stage original even if they have awesome hair? No. Let’s move back in time; was Johann Sebastian Bach considered original during his lifetime? Actually no. The style of music that he wrote in was old fashioned and amazingly the elder Bach he was not as popular as Handel, Telemann, or even his sons during the latter part of his life.

I could go on and on with examples of how composers and performers were not original during their time but it does not matter. Do you think the Beatles cared that their music was viewed as not original? Yes and no but did it stop them? No. They were hugely popular and as the 60s progressed they developed their own style that went from simple to extremely creative (there are countless books written about this). Do you think Bach in his latter years cared that he was writing in a style that was not current to the 1720-1740s? No. He was writing the music he loved and perfected the style that was natural to him and his sense of artistry.

Discussing that all music is original and no music is original is really about two things; artistic confidence and not caring.

When you write music you have to have to confidence to continue writing and know what you are creating is worthwhile. You also have to have the self-realization that everything you write is original at the same time nothing you write is original. It is only when you stop trying to be brilliant and focus on your craft, your art, and your self-expression, that is when you begin to discovering your own individual artistic originality.

You also have to not care within reason how people react to your art. People are notorious for criticising artistic endeavors. Experts and amateurs alike will give unsolicited, highly critical opinions without thinking twice about how it effects you. This is where you have to not care within reason. You have to have the confidence to know you are on the correct artistic path and know that some people will never like your music for some reason or the other. With that said, you do need others to help you sculpt your music because when you live it you are often too close to have a holistic perspective. Have someone who can give you honest and constructive criticism that will allow you to improve and make your music better.

Da capo. Just write and enjoy your music. Express yourself. Have confidence and do not worry about the naysayers.