Thread: Letting your inner inspiration speak

As somebody who has virtually no knowledge of tonal theory (i have a drummers theory knowledge, basically) i can agree with the first part of your article. I've never understood why people need to over-complicate things and require strict processes and formulas etc. It's great that you have seen beyond that.

Where my opinion differs is when you say automatism goes too far in the opposite direction. I'm all for structure and logic intelligence in music (though, as already established, not as a governing attribute), but for me music is first and foremost a form of expression. If you look at free improvisation, it's mostly formless, illogical. At the same time, though, there can be something pure about it. It is pure expression, without any rules and barriers. It can be noisy and crass and messy, but it's still valid, and about as intuitive as music can get.

“I never even thought about whether or not they understand what I'm doing . . . the emotional reaction is all that matters. As long as there's some feeling of communication, it isn't necessary that it be understood.” - John Coltrane

Originally Posted by Ardent Lost

Where my opinion differs is when you say automatism goes too far in the opposite direction. I'm all for structure and logic intelligence in music (though, as already established, not as a governing attribute), but for me music is first and foremost a form of expression. If you look at free improvisation, it's mostly formless, illogical. At the same time, though, there can be something pure about it. It is pure expression, without any rules and barriers. It can be noisy and crass and messy, but it's still valid, and about as intuitive as music can get.

Thanks for the response.

I very much value improvisation, and agree with your assesment of its value. In fact, I regard the writing of much of my own music as a sort of slow-motion improvisation.

The point I was trying to make was that if you're writing it down, there's no reason you should be afraid to change what you have if your muse so moves you. The initial inspriation should never be regarded as so sacred that you don't allow yourself the possibility of further refinement.

nice skysaw, thats a good blog entry as usual. I find the music i write usually results from mere experimentation and luck; but always within the guidlines of it sounding good. And, I've latched onto your 'the ear is always correct' concept; it helped with something Im working on at the moment.

I wonder if theres any non-dream related techniques you can do for music composition? Sometimes when im tired, almost like H.I i can lie in bed and compose and hear the instruments as they play. Like complete symphony orchestras. Not random, I can control it all in realtime. Do you get this too?