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Copy, But Not Copycat

By Philip Hendrickson

We all have strengths and weaknesses, things we find attractive and things we don’t like. This is good; we are each created to contribute something unique in this world from our own individual selves. But we don’t start life fully formed and ready. We continually learn and grow. 

When learning a new skill, in music or elsewhere, it is natural to find someone who does it well and watch them. We find inspiration from a master and spend time learning new vocabulary from them. As we practice adding their vocabulary into our own, we may sound like an imitation of them for a while. It is important, however, that we don’t stay in that place. Come to terms with what that master does, and then move on to learning other things. 

After your brain and creative spirit have time to digest the new ideas, you will begin to hear opportunities to apply them in your own way. They will eventually become part of your idiom if they fit into your message. Never stop learning new words, but don’t force them into use. Relax and get comfortable with how they fit into what you want to say. Quoting others is a way of honoring them, but simply parroting someone else brings nothing creative to the conversation. Use a master’s word if it does a better job of expressing your thought; but work to refine your message and add nuances that reflect your experience. Music is a journey; your music should reflect all the places you’ve been and share the joy of how the world looks through your eyes.