There are two types of musicians. Those who can only play from sheet music, and those who can play without it.
There are two types of home chefs. Those who need to follow a recipe to the letter, and those who can throw things together and make a meal.
One way of doing it isn’t necessarily better than the other. Both can lead to wonderful results. I love classical music which is mostly written down, and I love jazz which is mostly improvised.
My wife makes amazing meals using cook books. When I’m in the kitchen, I pick ingredients and figure out what to do with them along the way. There is no right or wrong. There’s just a different approach.
But sometimes one way of doing it is faster and more practical. It can also be safer. Following a tried recipe step by step, will give you the same result every single time. As soon as you randomly mix things together, there’s no guarantee it will even taste good.
Following the rules is something we learn from the day we are born. When we break them we are punished. Rules allow for things to be organized and predictable. Our laws divide actions into right and wrong. Good and bad.
Here’s the astonishing thing: progress in any context is seldom made by doing what’s already been done, and by following the rules. Progress is made by those who push the boundaries and think outside of the box. Movers, shakers, visionaries, and creatives see endless possibilities in a world ruled by limitations.
That’s why they’re often perceived as impractical radicals, as a threat to the fabric of society and the status quo. We call them rebels, mavericks, heretics, and anti-social. If you dare to go against the grain, you better be ready for some pushback. It’s much easier to conform and blend in.
I was six when in art class our very strict teacher asked us to make an animal out of clay. Some kids made cats or dogs. Others made cows and sheep. Soon it became clear how we were graded. The clay creations that most closely resembled reality, got the highest marks. That day I received my first F, the lowest grade possible. I was devastated because I didn’t understand why.
I came home crying, and my mother called the teacher to find out what I had done wrong. He said:
“Your son made a dragon out of clay. Dragons don’t exist. I can’t give a good grade to something that doesn’t exist. Your son is a dreamer. My job is to teach him about reality.”
Till this day I am so glad my parents never listened to that man. When I learned to play the piano, I was taught the rules, good posture and the like, but I was also encouraged to improvise and compose. When I started writing stories, I had to use proper grammar and spelling, but they also wanted me to use my imagination.
As a creative freelancer, it helps to do certain things by the book, but if you can’t improvise and bend the rules sometimes, you’re not going to survive, stand out, and create new things.
As we’re rapidly approaching a new year, I have one question for you:
Are you going to play it safe in 2022, or will we see a side of you we’ve never seen before?
Happy Christmas and a very creative new year!
Wonderful piece, Paul. Thank you for sharing your story and observations.
My pleasure, Paul. How is the new studio coming along?
Two bass traps away from done! Rug down; desk covered; ceiling fan out, felt pendant in; Green Glue, QuietRock & SC1000 up; door sealed; Gb ethernet hardwired; landline connected; and GIK panels on 3 sides & above. Waiting on the last GIK delivery for the back wall… then work w/Uncle Roy. Two demos in the can… GVAA and David Rosenthal are fantastic – I’ll say that every chance I get. Poking the fire with lots of sticks. I’ll post more studio pics soon. Looking forward to AA’s release of the Hi-X60 cans.
Thanks for asking, Paul! A simple question, and you get… all that. Any new projects for you?
Happy Holidays to all ♡
I’m so happy to hear of all your progress. You must be thrilled! You are an example of someone doing things the right way as you’re setting yourself up for success.
As for me, I am taking an involuntary but beneficent break from voice overs. I too, am waiting on sound panels from GIK to put the finishing touches on my new studio. Once they are in place, I’m ready to rock and roll.
Happy new year to you and your family!
Thank you, Paul, that means a lot! It is indeed very exciting – though the changes are so incremental, and there are so many new things to attend to, that even at this early point in the game, I sometimes need to step back for perspective.
Glad the break is of service to you – as you’ve noted in your blog, full lives require more than work. GIK’s order volume and backlog has been through the roof since before I placed my order months ago – but the final product is worth it. Appreciate the referral.
Happy New Year to you and your family, too!
As usual, very timely (and encouraging) advice, Paul.
Thank you for your continued generosity through your blog!
A Happy and safe Christmas to you and yours!
– Mike
Thank you sos much, Mike. Happy holidays to you!
I loved the dragon anecdote. A teacher’s primary job should be to teach a child to dream. I’m glad for you that your parents understood that, which has undoubtedly attributed to your great success.
I frequently blame my parents for raising a rebel!
I can’t be the only one who wants to slap that teacher upside the head and then feed them to a dragon, can I? What a crock. An ***F*** for that?!?!? I hereby issue an F to that teacher. You keep dreaming and imagining, my friend. Merry Christmas, whether you make chicken wings by the cookbook…or wing it!
I’ve never stopped dreaming… of a white Christmas. This year there will be snow!
Merry Christmas, you rogue. In a world of clay cats and dogs, you were the clay dragon. My hopes for my own life are to be able to look back and smile at all the dragon moments that stood out and made my life unique and special. Great entry, Paul.
Thanks Michael. This dragon will continue to roar (or whatever it is that dragons do).
Beautiful. And very inspiring. Loved your book BTW and I’m looking forward to reading more of your blogs!
Thank you so much, Robyn!