(Saphhos’ poem “An Old Age” [lines 9-20]. Papyrus from 3 cent. B.C.) Don’t wait for permission. Max out what you can accomplish in one session because a session is focused time, and therefore, precious. Incorporate one novel element or technique into each track. Novelty is your leading edge that extends alongside the music. Gradually and Continue reading

Combining your strange tastes often leads to interesting artistic results. There’s no precise slot for art-making in everyday life. Sneak it in. The best-sounding tracks are one-offs. Making multiples of works–for example, by keeping their instrumentation or structure identical–frees you from options. Music lessons: aim for a maximum sound whilst being maximally relaxed. Musical sounds Continue reading

Musical virtuosity and musicianship are not the same. The first is obvious and focuses on Me, while the second is subtle and dissolves into Us. The first iteration of a series of pieces is often the most interesting, because you don’t yet know what you’re doing. Preserve that naïveté. You don’t have to know all Continue reading

“The most interesting and most elusive questions will be the ones whose answers we must give with every moment of our lives, for their whole duration.”– Agnes Callard, Open Socrates, p. 59 “[Play] “is the crucible of invention and a learning system that mimics the genius of evolution.”– Kelly Clancy, Playing With Reality, p. 10 Continue reading