How to Find Musical Ideas

The Russian Composer Igor Stravinsky once said: " A good composer does not imitate; he steals."

I think what he meant by this is that it's OK to use a technique developed by another and make it your own. To imitate is to steal a technique or style and, somehow, not incorporate your own voice and energy into it.

We all get our ideas from somewhere, whether by accidentally listening to a piece of music and subconsciously storing it away, or by a conscious act where we say to ourselves: "This sounds great and I want to use it in my own music."

Some people have the idea that everything created must be original and by that they mean that there must be no outside influences - but this is unrealistic. Haydn taught Beethoven. Italian composers influenced Bach and so on. All past and present composers on this planet have their influences whether they admit them or not.

Now, most of you know that I have two major influences: George Winston and John Herberman. You may or may not know of these people. The point is I admit that they shaped my own style. How? Because I liked listening to them. It's that simple.

When I sit down to play, I inevitably gravitate towards one style or the other. I'm fine with that. It doesn't mean that I'm unoriginal. It just means that I acknowledge reality and don't try to come up with "something original." What sounds new is 99.9 times out of 100, a modification of what came before.

The whole point I'm trying to make is this: Don't try to be original. Instead, focus on what you like and love and your own voice will come through in the end. The music may be modified to an extreme (innovation) or just a little (homage). Just don't imitate.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Stop by now at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lesson s.html for a FREE piano lesson!

---

Review: The Bled - Pass the Flask

Released in 2003, Pass the Flask turned this little quintet... Read More

Six Reasons to Play New Age Piano

Here are six very good reasons to learn how to... Read More

Legend Vega Releasing New Pop CD

Legend Vega is scheduled to release her newest CD this... Read More

Is Your Child Struggling in School? Get Him (Or Her) Music Lessons

This is counterintuitive, I know. Our natural response to seeing... Read More

Liberate your iPod

When Akio Morita came up with the idea of the... Read More

Canadian Stars: The Marble Index and the Waking Eyes

Canadian Indie bands are dominating the music scene and it... Read More

Self-Expression Without Criticism

When I was 9 years old I played the Saxophone... Read More

Learning the Piano and Playing the Piano

Many piano students spend much time learning how to play... Read More

How to Compose Using ABA Form

ABA form is like a musical sandwich. You have the... Read More

Music Industry Insider: Tess Taylor of NARIP and LAMN

Members of LAMN (founded in 1988) and NARIP (founded in... Read More

Quick and Easy Violin Mute

One of the reasons I picked up the violin was... Read More

The Joy of Spontaneous Expression

Do you remember finger-painting as a child? How fun it... Read More

Review: Medications - All Your Favorite People In One Place

One of the most intriguing aspects of music is how... Read More

Making Music As A Lefty

Author Interview with Ryan Thomson, seacoast New Hampshire resident, and... Read More

How I Learned How To Play The Guitar After Giving Up In Disgust

I was 17 at the time (the Beatles era), and... Read More

Solid-Bodied Gretsch Corvette Guitar

The Solid-bodied Corvette (not to be confused with the Corvette... Read More

Is Your Child Capable of Composing Music? Maybe the Next Mozart?

We've all heard of them. Child prodigies who begin composing... Read More

50 Cent

More so than any other music since the blues, hip-hop... Read More

Growing and Keeping Loyal Fan Support

Fan support for musicians is a two way street. You... Read More

Health Insurance for Creative Artists -- A Multi-Talented Health Investment

For the Creative Artist -- Good Health Insurance is Truly... Read More

Learning To Play The Piano With Chords

Learning piano chords can help you in all your piano... Read More

Oh My Aching Head! Can Music Really Make You Feel Better?

We all know, if only instinctively, that music has a... Read More

How Many Songs Are In Your Pocket?

The portable MP3 player continues to be the hot item... Read More

Hip Hop History

Rap music originated as a cross-cultural product. Most of its... Read More

Dont Censor the Music and Artistic Expression

Ann Powers said: "Don't censor the music and artistic... Read More

Downloading MP3s Made Easy

The MP3 movement started out with a huge audience of... Read More

Buying a Violin

"How do I buy a violin, (or fiddle)?"That question has... Read More

A Brief History of Fender Guitars

Perhaps no other guitar maker has touched the hearts of... Read More

The History Of Drums - A Journey Of Sound

Music and musical instruments are an extremely important part of... Read More

How to Create an Original Melody

Here's a method I use that works. First, sit down... Read More

Composing for Dummies

When most people hear the word composer, they automatically think... Read More

Memorizing Music - How Is It Best Achieved?

When memorizing music there are several things you can do... Read More

Music & Intelligence: Will Listening to Music Make You Smarter?

Will listening to music make you smarter? Will learning to... Read More