One way of thinking about composing is that I was born with a pretty solid ability to write and I’ve cultivated that for many years – no so much recently but I would composer for hours a day in the past. If I do have a gift, you can make an argument that says it is in fact my responsibility to use it. I have to marinate in this idea for a while to see if I believe it fully.
I think another thing I need, and I felt this from Be Still but not what has followed, an element of detachment. Here I am not talking about detaching myself from the music and process. Not one bit. But I need some detachment about what happens to the piece when I am done with it. It might become popular, it might never be performed. If I have a thought in my head that says “this piece will never get done” what will kill motivation one day at a time. So I need to be clear in my head that I can’t control what happens after I’m done. The more I write the higher the chances are that I will have “successful” pieces but that’s about all I know.
So – using a talent can be a responsibility and I have to not worry about what happens to a piece after I write it. That’s my thinking today.
Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
You are welcome and thanks for the comment. You mention your roommate – were you at a music school?