[Harp-L] Re: Creativity

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

When I hear a solo that inspires me, and make an effort to learn all or 
part of it, I'm not just learning something about the player who played 
the solo.  I'm learning something about myself, too.  I'm learning how 
to make the sound that inspired me.

Learning from others is a journey of self-discovery, not just a kind of 
slavish regurgitation.

There's nothing un-creative about learning from others. It's un-creative 
to suppress who you really are, and try to be someone else.  But even 
people who make a point of never copying someone else can fall into that 
trap, for example by trying to play what they think is cool, or 
commercial, or impressive instead of trying to play what's in their 
hearts and their ears.

Having the courage to play what's really in your heart and your ears is 
what's creative.  And you can hear it in the music, regardless of how 
traditional or avant-garde the music is.

Regards, Richard Hunter
hunterharp.com