Composition

Lately I've had the opportunity to do a bit more writing (music and a short play) than I normally do. It's been great. I remember in high school I used to write short stories all of the time, usually churning them out about once a month or so. I should consider setting aside some more time to write, since I enjoy it so much.

The problem with writing is that I don't get to spend as much time reading (listening). And I find reading so much more useful because those guys are smarter than me, and I find that I can learn more. It's kind of like that mantra you are told when you're a kid, "You have two ears and only one mouth for a reason." The problem is, I have two hands with which to type. Maybe God intended us to always use a pen...

To think my ideas are better than the ones already out there is quite pretentious (and obnoxiously arrogant) of me though. And it's not that I think my ideas are better, it's just that writing helps me to think. And I like thinking.

Plus, I've decided that I'm not creative. I don't think there's anything I am able to create, only things I can discover and present anew. Somebody commented on a song I was playing a few weeks ago, remarking how much he liked it, so I taught him the simple chord progression. He kept telling me how brilliant it was, and how he loves to show other people (and he always credits me, which is nice, though I think unnecessary) but I really didn't feel all that brilliant. Sure, I didn't copy it from someone, but the notes are already there. All I did was discover them. That doesn't make me a genius. Just...lucky I suppose, with a dash of observant (but not even that much).