It’s difficult to separated creativity from music influences. Everything from Beethoven to Gershwin to the Beatles, etc., adds to our creations. Thinking outside the box? The box is rather crowded and confined. Music consists of 12 half-tones and their octaves. Unless you’re into quarter-tone music. And then there are only so many tones that can be heard (and differentiated from tone to tone) by the human ear. And there are only so many song lyrical concepts (not to mention useable words).

Genres? If you want to compose in a certain genre, whether it be Country, Pop, Rap, Classical, Jazz, etc., music possibilities are even more limited. Maybe that’s why I prefer film music. Film music is open to anything, including the blending of different genres. Though film music still exists within the box.

I would bet that 90% of what we call creativity really comes from music influences. I’ve composed music in the style of some of the great composers. Creative in that they won’t be confused with previous composed music (different melodies, arrangements, altered harmonies). Not creative in the sense of using another’s style (which was probably influenced by previous music).

So, we journey on, adding our tiny creative morsels to the already colossal contributions from the past. At least until we all realized we’ve been duped into believing we’re creative musicians. Jeez, now I’m depressed. I think I’ll compose something in the style of Gershwin.


John smile

Stop analyzing; just compose the damn thing!
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