Creativity....You can only foster it. “How do you teach creativity?” It seems obvious that creativity is teachable because there are classes for it, right? Sure, they teach fundamentals and techniques as well as expose you to different styles and artists, but that’s all to harness creativity. Most of these students attend these schools because they’re already creative or at least have an interest in it. If we were to go off of my observations, we’ll have to address a thousand-year old debate: nature vs. nurture. I believe that it’s 50/50 in that your creativity is already inside you and your life experiences help you to tap into it and hone it. You can show someone techniques or try to inspire them with work from the masters. You can give someone the tools to be creative, but if they don’t have the talent or at least
the passion for it, then you got some bridges to cross.
I’d like to think that we’re not all blank pegs. I’d like to think that we each have the makings of some sort of square, circle, triangle, or whatever unique shape, and that life will sharpen us into more solid shapes until we fit into the hole we’re meant to go through in this world.So I could be wrong about everyone being creative. Heck, I could be wrong about all this. But what I do know is that we’re all gifted in something. So I think to truly “learn” creativity, in whatever form you construe it to be, it has to be a part of your life’s purpose.
All serious musicians have felt this way as they progress through their journey of improving their musicianship. As musicians we LOVE music so much and we care very deeply about how we sound.So, when we don’t sound as good as we want to it can be very emotionally and spiritually draining. Our ego and pride can play tricks on us and be quite cruel.
As a result, these types of bad experiences can quickly put us in a musical rut and really play a number on our spirit, our creativity, and our motivation to practice.This can create a dilemma. You see as jazz musicians, we are improvisers by nature. We are constantly exploring the unexplored, experimenting, and trying new things.Most people think creativity is about freedom. Freedom paralyzes. Too much freedom in Jazz, provided too many options, too many variables, too many solutions.That limitation actually spawned amazing creativity,and more.
The path to your life's work as a musician is both difficult and mysterious, which is why few finish the journey.Creativity and joy await you.Remember the search begins with passion but does not end there. Only when our interests connect with the needs of the world do we begin living for a larger purpose. Those who experience this intersection experience something exceptional and enviable.Though it is rare, this is attainable by anyone brave enough to try.
We all see that some students are more creative. Many educators assume that creative thinking is an enigma and a gift (or a curse). They believe that by luck or by chance some people are naturally creative. Some colleagues tell me that creative thinking cannot be taught. While I am thankful for all good gifts, I do not depend on gifts alone. I find that new thinking habits can be nurtured and developed in myself and in others. I find that a change in student thinking habits and thinking modes is most apt to happen if appropriate teaching habits are cultivated and learned.
But remember keep an open mind, and I promise you won't be disappointed! See you next week....and keep continuing the stream of consciousness further - - TIM PRICE
- - - this week's listening suggestion- - Miles Davis - The Complete In A Silent Way Sessions [1080p - Full Album]- https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqIJICNxUbmEA6hz7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTByZWc0dGJtBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDBGdwb3MDMQ--?p=Miles+Davis+In+a+silent+way+full+album+you+tube&vid=1dfd098e54b64117c142e016a90e8ecf&l=3%3A29%3A10&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts2.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.608044838455083661%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DgxJ4tocpIp4&tit=Miles+Davis+-+The+Complete+In+A+Silent+Way+Sessions+%5B1080p+-+Full+Album%5D&c=0&sigr=11bvm10e9&sigt=128nkkb65&sigi=11rflbj79&age=1365531089&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=mozilla&tt=b
Creativity....You can only foster it. “How do you teach creativity?” It seems obvious that creativity is teachable because there are classes for it, right? Sure, they teach fundamentals and techniques as well as expose you to different styles and artists, but that’s all to harness creativity. Most of these students attend these schools because they’re already creative or at least have an interest in it. If we were to go off of my observations, we’ll have to address a thousand-year old debate: nature vs. nurture. I believe that it’s 50/50 in that your creativity is already inside you and your life experiences help you to tap into it and hone it. You can show someone techniques or try to inspire them with work from the masters. You can give someone the tools to be creative, but if they don’t have the talent or at least the passion for it, then you got some bridges to cross.
I’d like to think that we’re not all blank pegs. I’d like to think that we each have the makings of some sort of square, circle, triangle, or whatever unique shape, and that life will sharpen us into more solid shapes until we fit into the hole we’re meant to go through in this world.So I could be wrong about everyone being creative. Heck, I could be wrong about all this. But what I do know is that we’re all gifted in something. So I think to truly “learn” creativity, in whatever form you construe it to be, it has to be a part of your life’s purpose.
All serious musicians have felt this way as they progress through their journey of improving their musicianship. As musicians we LOVE music so much and we care very deeply about how we sound.So, when we don’t sound as good as we want to it can be very emotionally and spiritually draining. Our ego and pride can play tricks on us and be quite cruel.
As a result, these types of bad experiences can quickly put us in a musical rut and really play a number on our spirit, our creativity, and our motivation to practice.This can create a dilemma. You see as jazz musicians, we are improvisers by nature. We are constantly exploring the unexplored, experimenting, and trying new things.Most people think creativity is about freedom. Freedom paralyzes. Too much freedom in Jazz, provided too many options, too many variables, too many solutions.That limitation actually spawned amazing creativity,and more.
The path to your life's work as a musician is both difficult and mysterious, which is why few finish the journey.Creativity and joy await you.Remember the search begins with passion but does not end there. Only when our interests connect with the needs of the world do we begin living for a larger purpose. Those who experience this intersection experience something exceptional and enviable.Though it is rare, this is attainable by anyone brave enough to try. 
We all see that some students are more creative. Many educators assume that creative thinking is an enigma and a gift (or a curse). They believe that by luck or by chance some people are naturally creative. Some colleagues tell me that creative thinking cannot be taught. While I am thankful for all good gifts, I do not depend on gifts alone. I find that new thinking habits can be nurtured and developed in myself and in others. I find that a change in student thinking habits and thinking modes is most apt to happen if appropriate teaching habits are cultivated and learned.
But remember keep an open mind, and I promise you won't be disappointed! See you next week....and keep continuing the stream of consciousness further - - TIM PRICE
- - - this week's listening suggestion- - Miles Davis - The Complete In A Silent Way Sessions [1080p - Full Album]- https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqIJICNxUbmEA6hz7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTByZWc0dGJtBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDBGdwb3MDMQ--?p=Miles+Davis+In+a+silent+way+full+album+you+tube&vid=1dfd098e54b64117c142e016a90e8ecf&l=3%3A29%3A10&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts2.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.608044838455083661%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DgxJ4tocpIp4&tit=Miles+Davis+-+The+Complete+In+A+Silent+Way+Sessions+%5B1080p+-+Full+Album%5D&c=0&sigr=11bvm10e9&sigt=128nkkb65&sigi=11rflbj79&age=1365531089&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=mozilla&tt=b
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