Composing–Isn’t It Just Like Ironing Your Shirt? Part I

Composing–
 Isn’t It Just Like Ironing Your Shirt?

Persistent Composing Myths
When I mention to people that I help musicians develop their songs and instrumental pieces beyond what they thought was possible, they are usually enthusiastic. Yet, very often I’ll hear them follow up with a comment like one of these:

MYTH #1 – Composing can’t really be taught, it’s something mysterious that just happens to those who have “talent.” (Translation—only a small group of people are capable of composing).

MYTH #2 – Great composers started writing when they were very young. (Translation—composers don’t develop, they either “have it” or they don’t.)

MYTH #3 – If you don’t have a strikingly original sound, there’s no point to composing at all. (Translation—who wants to sound like any other composer?)

MYTH #4 – True composers need to have really suffered in their lives to be able to write anything that rings true. (Translation—isn’t that where the blues comes from?)

MYTH #5 – You have to have grown up in the culture that you’re drawing from musically. (Translation—non-natives are merely “musical impostors”.)

MYTH #6 – Real composers study The Masters for a long time before even trying anything on their own. (Translation—they’re called Masters for a very good reason and I’ll never be one of them.)

MYTH #7 – Studying composition is pointless because it will only get in the way of your creativity. (Translation—who wants to sound self-conscious, formulaic, or unfeeling?)

MYTH #8 – Composers write music because they can’t play an instrument. (Translation—composers don’t have the discipline to really learn an instrument.)

MYTH #9 – Why should I compose when I don’t have anything to say? (Translation—I have no value.) I’ve heard these comments and their variations for as long as I can remember.

They’re remarkably persistent, and they’re all myths, fostered by a culture that sends a parade of confusing messages about the creative process.

Frankly, the longer I teach composition, and compose, the less those beliefs have any validity.

I’ve seen many of my students, regardless of their interest(s), reveal how one or more of these myths have held back their composing in some way. Some are very aware of a particular myth from the first lesson, and for others a myth emerges after months of studying. When I explain that learning to compose is very much like learning how to iron a shirt, their faces always light up in surprise. In order to get that clean just-off-the-rack look, you’ve got to iron the shirt in many directions. And it’s the very same approach that I use for helping students expand their composing and creativity.

Stay tuned for Part II: My Combined Approach For Training