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Post subject: My current thoughts on making music and the creative proces
Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 12:17 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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I wrote down a bunch of thoughts I was exploring with respect to making music and the creative process... someone might find them interesting.

Best! :)

https://markhahnguitar.wordpress.com/2018/04/23/postcards-from-that-other-place-thoughts-on-the-creative-process/

https://markhahnguitar.wordpress.com/20 ... e-process/

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Post subject: Re: My current thoughts on making music and the creative pro
Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 7:08 pm
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Hey there, Mark:

How’s it goin’? Looks to be goin’ good for ya and that’s great. Congrats on the album. :D I enjoyed your blog(s) on creativity. I especially liked the story, honesty, and presentation that your son so eloquently and wisely set upon you. He nailed it IMHO. You are Mark Hahn with a well honed identity and that counts and it’s fun to follow your journey.

For me creativity is not an accepted or non accepted pattern of delivery. It could be, but I believe it begins with a feeling from within. A belief in oneself that their feelings can be harnessed, displayed, and felt by another when delivered.

There are many who go by rules and that’s okay; but, I have to say that I believe rules can be brilliant, and they can simply be a mechanical proven formula that simply works. They can also reflect a sort of plagiarism, I suppose. In this case it’s not a bad practice, but, for me, it is no more and no less. Rules can not IMHO bring you to creativity. Creativity can bring you to rules, and that’s a fact.

One can desire to be creative, but I feel (just my opinion, however) that creativity is a born hunger that eats at your soul and beats in your heart whenever you are or are not producing. It’s who you are. I believe it can never be controlled, or learned, but it can be released and improved.

As for song . . . even the ancient caveman’s mumbling and shouting jibberish while smashing stones together in a beat could have been a song. Eventually, as language evolved and others joined in harmony synced together the music became organized. Did it always make sense? I doubt it. Was it a song? I believe it was.

As for poetry vs lyrics and music here’s two takes:

https://m.poets.org/poetsorg/text/bob-d ... -i-know-it

Bob Dylan wins Nobel:

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/10/14/a ... ature.html

In the end - if it feels good, it is good.

Creativity shared is a gift from the soul. :wink:

Cheers!
FSB

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Post subject: Re: My current thoughts on making music and the creative pro
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2018 2:31 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2015 7:18 pm
Posts: 463
Location: Tucson
Thanks FSB! Glad you enjoyed it!

I completely get that creativity comes from a "hunger" or maybe just an uncontrollable urge! I meet people who say things like, "I wish I could do something creative... " and I usually reply, "Why???" I kind of try avoiding doing anything creative, but can't seem to stop myself... and honestly, the idea of just relaxing sometimes seems really inviting... but I always get restless and the next thing I know... working on a new project!

The image of the cavemen made me smile!

My gf and I always get into arguments about songs vs poetry. She studied at Berkley... whereas I more went to rock concerts!

You probably didn't see this old piece on the subject that I wrote:

https://markhahnguitar.wordpress.com/2015/04/05/songwriting-vs-poetry-some-quick-random-thoughts/

https://markhahnguitar.wordpress.com/20 ... -thoughts/

But I do agree that Dylan's songs work really well as poems... a few maybe even better... but as the article states, he's got to be in the 2%!

Best!

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Post subject: Re: My current thoughts on making music and the creative pro
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2018 8:03 pm
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mh2000 wrote:

The image of the cavemen made me smile!



I don't know how I came up with some hairy Cro-Magnon smacking some stones together and belting out a tune. I must have been thinking about the first Rock song. :P

mh2000 wrote:


Actually, I did read your piece before my posting, and a well written thought provoking piece it is, Mark. In fact, you may find it interesting that Arthur Rimbaud is mentioned in both your blog and my first Dylan article as they relate. :wink:

mh2000 wrote:

But I do agree that Dylan's songs work really well as poems... a few maybe even better... but as the article states, he's got to be in the 2%!



Definitely. As a Dylan fan (his songbook at the ready on my keyboard), I find no argument there.

But, what is left, argumentatively, in the 3-4% with those like Cohen, perhaps Lightfoot, and some other master lyricists, a similar creative quality can not be overlooked. Who's to say? Once we wipe away the commercial and distribution advantages, could there be another Dylan in the Kirghiz Steppe, the Congo, or from some other far away or ancient land? Perhaps, not the same; but, maybe the Dylan of their place and time.

One thing I do know is that Cro-Magnon man need not apply. He's a rocker like Steven Tyler.

Cheers!
FSB

PS I went to Berkley too. In '65. I didn't study . . . well , I sorta did. I went to check out the vibe. I wasn't aware there was a school (joking). :lol:

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Post subject: Re: My current thoughts on making music and the creative pro
Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2018 1:01 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2015 7:18 pm
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Location: Tucson
Hahaha! My early college/art school days! :)

I think in Cohen's case, that his *training* in poetry/literature kind of hurts his work! Whenever you catch him using it in his songs, he comes across as pretentious! (Don't get me wrong, I love a lot of his songs, but sometimes I find annoying bits in them!)

Dylan on the other hand, having dropped out of college before even finishing his first year, was never spoiled by academic pressures and went on to become a *thinker* on his own terms!

I think the singer-songwriters who influence me most are Nick Cave, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits and Townes Van Zandt... and in that order! (At least what I'm thinking at the precise moment! Subject to change!)

:)

Best!

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Post subject: Re: My current thoughts on making music and the creative pro
Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2018 8:15 pm
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Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:38 am
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Good list to follow, Mark. I agree with your post. I’m a big fan of Rickie Lee Jones and, of course Willie, amongst others . . . but, regardless of whether a songwriter is considered a lyricist, poet or both, there is only one Dylan and one original caveman who probably did his version of rap. :lol:
Keep on keepin’ on, Mark. It’s working for ya.

FSB

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