Very thought provoking! I’ve been trying so hard to get myself back into the habit of writing (starting with Substack) and I found what has worked so far is, in fact, limitation-limiting myself to reflecting on one quote I kept in my commonplace notebook. Also if you know The Literary Life podcast by Angelina Stanford they just did The Man Who was Thursday-highly recommend!
As a classically trained musician I love this conversation. So much of what is beautiful is because of, not in spite of, the form. And even within modern music, even at its most chaotic, there is STILL a form and limits. (I have played pieces where the instructions were “pluck any string for X duration of time” and I think they could have used a little more structure 😆). What is the difference between a 4 year old playing “music” on the piano and an actual song? It’s the form and limits. You have to know the rules in order to break them thoughtfully. I think people think they’re being innovative sometimes when instead they’re showing they don’t understand or respect what they’re trying to deviate from...
Very thought provoking! I’ve been trying so hard to get myself back into the habit of writing (starting with Substack) and I found what has worked so far is, in fact, limitation-limiting myself to reflecting on one quote I kept in my commonplace notebook. Also if you know The Literary Life podcast by Angelina Stanford they just did The Man Who was Thursday-highly recommend!
I haven't listened to that podcast! I'll check it out.
As a classically trained musician I love this conversation. So much of what is beautiful is because of, not in spite of, the form. And even within modern music, even at its most chaotic, there is STILL a form and limits. (I have played pieces where the instructions were “pluck any string for X duration of time” and I think they could have used a little more structure 😆). What is the difference between a 4 year old playing “music” on the piano and an actual song? It’s the form and limits. You have to know the rules in order to break them thoughtfully. I think people think they’re being innovative sometimes when instead they’re showing they don’t understand or respect what they’re trying to deviate from...
Yes!
I was at the conference when you gave this talk and so delighted in it. I’m so glad you are sharing it again here!
Thank you so much, Raine!