Improvising in Frozen Time: Approaches to Freeing the “Artist Within”

Abstract

          In this paper, the author shares his views on music composition and the teaching of composition, stating, first and foremost, his firm belief that “composers cannot be taught.” A person has to be born with a passion for musical expressions as a prerequisite for potential to become an effective composer. “Exposure,” “skills,” and “insight” are the key factors for compositional success. Since creativity does not arise from a vacuum, maximizing exposure is a must before any creative action can take place. Skills are required to bring forth an artist’s internal inspiration. The third, and perhaps most important aspect of all, is insight into life and the complex relationships at work in one’s surrounding world. Without such insight, the music will have no meaning. An artist serves as a prism to reflect and enhance the often undetected wonders of life and creation. Only through art (including music) are these connections experienced and felt by the audience at large. Finally, the author shares his approach to teaching composition: to set free the artist within, as if one is improvising, albeit in frozen time.