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Many people initially struggle to express themselves through music or write a song of their own, even if they have had years of experience playing music. Musicians can run into issues such as having no ideas to make use of, having an idea but no way to express it or making the music they produce unique to themselves. Creating music not only involves having technical knowledge of the concept but also, gathering inspiration and finding a story to tell in one’s individualistic way. Nevertheless, it is crucial to understand that being able to express yourself through music in the way that you want to, can take a great deal of time, patience, and effort.
Artists draw inspiration from various stimuli, for inspiration is being mentally stimulated to do or feel something (or in this case, create something). Something that numerous musicians draw inspiration from is other people’s music. It is helpful for those who want to express themselves through music to listen to different styles of music. When recognizing what songs in particular you like, try to figure out what about their melodies or lyrics are appealing to you. If a specific section of a song stands out to you, analyze its structure and take note of it. It is also possible that there might be part of a song you would improve or alter, and these thoughts should be acknowledged as well. You could also draw influence from the music you grew up with or are familiar with. Inspiration could come to you in the music you are not familiar with as well, such as what other people recommend to you or what you study to improve your musical ability. Other than paying attention to the structure of music that intrigues you, it is useful to realize the emotions they convey and cause you to feel. If a piece of music is capable of having a strong emotive force, figure out what about it makes this possible, which could be something like the meaningful words that are used, various dynamics, or more. Some people additionally use the trick of listening to several pieces of music at once and seeing if any sounds form from the simultaneous songs playing that might interest you. While this is not bound to work too often, you can find new, distinctive sounds when it does. Not all methods are going to work for everyone. It is okay to simply go about your daily life and write something down when it clicks with you in a way. This “something” does not have to be another piece of music, for you can find inspiration by reflecting on yourself and what is around you. To find inspiration, you could immerse yourself in a new environment, pay attention to minor details of your surroundings that you usually would not, or see how anything makes you feel. Sometimes, impactful thoughts and melodies might come out of nowhere in the middle of silent pondering. You can find a story to tell in the works of others, your past experiences, or anything that is around you.
To find a story to tell, you could contemplate anything you are going through or feeling at the moment, so the emotions you are experiencing are in the present. This way, you can search for something in music that truly resonates with what you are currently absorbed. You might be able to find a story by simply speaking your mind and rambling until you say something that represents what you mean and wants to portray. Finding a story within yourself is not your only option either, for you could converse with others and find a tale to tell through them. Finding inspiration in your surroundings assists since you can make meaning out of what you observe. You could interpret the simplest occurrences in your unique way, and you can tell your story through a metaphor or unspoken words using this. An example of this is the song “Two Birds” by Regina Spektor, in which the two birds could either represent different parts of your mind or two people in a relationship. From this, one can also see that the music you create and the story you tell do not have to be direct in their meaning, for you can make something that speaks to many listeners in their ways. It certainly helps to ideate what you want to present and what type of music you want to write. Furthermore, do not be afraid to tell a different story than others or tell it unconventionally. The beauty of musical expression is that you can incorporate the story being told into the structure of the song you are making itself; you could change up the key, volume, octaves, and so on. The music you make can be as simplistic or as complex as you want. You can explore different chord progressions and tempos to see what type of song resonates most with what you are trying to illustrate. You do not have to follow what you believe is the “correct” way of making music, nor should you stick too closely to a single piece of music you like. Expressing yourself through music takes experimentation and going back to your influences to learn how your story would best be told. Do not be scared to stray from one place on a keyboard, the same notes on a string, or the lyrics written in your notes. Take your time to understand what best expresses yourself, and do not be afraid to hear the opinions of others!
Anyone is capable of creativity and self-expression, but it certainly, helps to have a fundamental understanding of music theory in this situation. You don't need to be an expert in every technicality and technique to make music. However, the more you know, the more interesting is music. With a solid conception of the ins and outs of music, you will have an easier time knowing what works best to carry on your message and being flexible in your musical capabilities. For example, fewer limitations would hold you back in terms of chord changes. To compare, a person who is just learning how to cook can make calzone on their first try with some ingredients and guidance. However, a person who is exceptionally knowledgeable about cooking would have an easier time doing so due to their experience, and this person would be able to make the dish their own. It would indeed be difficult for one to express themselves in a language they do not speak, but that does not mean you cannot generate your ideas or start learning. For beginners, it would be beneficial to learn the major scales and their relative minor scales. Looking into the structure of music is as essential; with more knowledge of music’s different components and how they could be used, you can take these elements and make them your own. The more you know, the easier it is to wing things and see where you end up.
Being able to express yourself through music can seem daunting, yet it is typical for much time, work, and thought to be put in before one can write a song that truly represents what one wants it. Inspiration is not always something that comes easy, so you can explore different things around you, such as the music of others or your own experiences and feelings finding a story to tell. It is worthwhile to take the time to learn more about music theory as well, from which you can gain more musical abilities and understanding. In the end, you do not have to be a perfectionist, and it is essential to have patience when it comes to making music. Feel free to try new things and work with others to make what you are creating the most diverse and best it can be. Improvement is inevitable over time with practice and work; you will eventually make a piece of music that expresses just what you want.
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Written By: Zoe Cacanindin
Edited By: Kanishka Kataria
Cover Page By: Yifei Wang
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