Scientists say that on average it takes sixty-six days for a new behavior to become automatic—it can depend on the person and the circumstances. In some instances, experts say it can take as long as 254 days for people to form a new habit. I confess that consistency has never been my strong point. However, over a hundred days ago I committed to composing music every day.
I was determined to begin and hope that momentum would push me forward. (read my blogs: Momentum and Our limitations Might Be Our Strengths) As of June 12, 2023 I have been composing every day for one hundred twenty-two days.
Everything, a horse, a vine, is created for some duty. For what task, then, were you yourself created? A man’s true delight is to do the things he was made for.
— Marcus Aurelius (121-180) Roman emperor and a Stoic philosopher
This creative journey has been interesting. In the past I have struggled with what compositions “should” be. What do “serious” composers write? Does my work meet the criteria of being original, new, or inventive? Why bother to write something that perhaps no one will ever hear?
I have not considered those questions at all during these hundred plus days. I am simply enjoying writing what I feel like writing and not worrying if it is “great” music. Hopefully, some of it will at least be good. My goal is to please myself . . . not write for what I think someone else will like.
Also, I have tried not to let criticism or self-consciousness sit on my shoulder critiquing every note or composition. I have merely let ideas flow and I have followed the sound of the muse where it leads. Most days I skip around from longer pieces to short melodies. If I get bored with one, I will start another. It is a rather higgledy-piggledy way to work—my goal is to compose without putting any pressure on myself to produce more than I can at the moment. The only way to become better is to consistently show up and write. Write something. Anything.
My natural inclination is to write folky or medieval/Renaissance sounding music. I did not think that it was OK to do that until I heard music by both Enya and Loreena McKennitt. If they can—then, so can I. That is not all I write, but that seems to be what my inner composer most wants to hear and write. I believe that sound is in my psyche because I grew up listening to and singing Sacred Harp music in my church. As an organist, some of the earliest repertoire is from the medieval and Renaissance periods. These melodies and harmonies are embedded in my inner ear and spirit.
About a month ago, a friend of mine asked if I knew anyone who would like to buy a double bowed psaltery. I love stringed instruments and this seemed like it would be perfect for some of the music I write. Thus, I have started writing a book of Psaltery Tunes. It is so much fun to write and play them!
Every day I know that no matter what else I do . . . I will spend at least a few minutes composing. It doesn’t matter if I am tired, not in the mood, or uninspired. I have learned that I can at least jot down a motive, melody, or chords. These are filed for later development if I don’t immediately work on them.
All art is a work in progress. It’s helpful to see the piece we’re working on as an experiment. One in which we can’t predict the outcome. Whatever the result, we will receive useful information that will benefit the next experiment. If you start from the position that there is no right or wrong, no good or bad, and creativity is just free play with no rules, it’s easier to submerge yourself joyfully in the process of making things.
We’re not playing to win, we’re playing to play. And ultimately, playing is fun. Perfectionism gets in the way of fun. A more skillful goal might be to find comfort in the process. To make and put out successive works with ease.
— Rick Rubin (b. 1963) American record executive and record producer
(from his book: The Creative Act: A Way of Being)
I can honestly say this is the longest I have followed through on being creative every day. I am eager to see what a hundred more days will bring!
Read my previous blog posts about Creativity Every Day: Tangled Train Tracks, Create Every Day, Make Some Art, and Driven to Create.
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