This was a wonderful long form metaphor! Thanks for sharing it in its entirety. I thank you for the insights.
Most singers I like have a unique voice, literally. With writers that seems much to me to be much more rare. It's there. It's one reason I read writers who create series of books.
I wonder if the reason singers have more unique voices is that they spend so many years also imitating others, whether in class, singing while jumping on their bed, singing along in the car, at church, etc. By the time you get to your early twenties, most people have done a lot of singing whether trained or not. Those with the inclination might take that a step further toward originality sooner as a result?
Great post, Cole. This quote rings true from my experience. “Georges Braque has said that out of limited means, new forms emerge. I say we find out what we will do by knowing what we will not do.”
I dare say imitation of those we admire is as old as human activity. All the great composers certainly did it before branching off, and of course The Beatles transformation from Buddy Holly/Carl Perkins wannabes to the greatest innovators in popular music.
I think a big problem with how many pursue their art is that they don't accept there's an intermediary stage where they imitate, experiment, and evolve. They try to jump to the finished product. I can think of very few significant artists who hatched that way.
This was a wonderful long form metaphor! Thanks for sharing it in its entirety. I thank you for the insights.
Most singers I like have a unique voice, literally. With writers that seems much to me to be much more rare. It's there. It's one reason I read writers who create series of books.
I wonder if the reason singers have more unique voices is that they spend so many years also imitating others, whether in class, singing while jumping on their bed, singing along in the car, at church, etc. By the time you get to your early twenties, most people have done a lot of singing whether trained or not. Those with the inclination might take that a step further toward originality sooner as a result?
Great post, Cole. This quote rings true from my experience. “Georges Braque has said that out of limited means, new forms emerge. I say we find out what we will do by knowing what we will not do.”
I dare say imitation of those we admire is as old as human activity. All the great composers certainly did it before branching off, and of course The Beatles transformation from Buddy Holly/Carl Perkins wannabes to the greatest innovators in popular music.
I think a big problem with how many pursue their art is that they don't accept there's an intermediary stage where they imitate, experiment, and evolve. They try to jump to the finished product. I can think of very few significant artists who hatched that way.
True. It boils down to exploring who you are and that’s a constantly evolving process, and a life-long one.