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Music and Transfiguration

When in Doubt, Follow the Great Composers

"If one has the talent it pushes for utterance and torments one; it will out; and then one is out with it without questioning. And, look you, there is nothing in this thing of learning out of books. Here, here and here [pointing to his ear, his head and his heart] is your school. If everything is right there, then take your pen and down with it; afterward ask the opinion of a man who knows his business." - Mozart to a boy who asked him how to learn composition

I read this today and it was quite a welcome relief. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the academic study of music. For me, a familiar trap is too much reading and not enough doing. Sometimes it's necessary to abandon the studying and just take what you know, start doing, and let yourself be guided by your ear, mind and heart as Mozart said. This is not to say that reading is not important. However, what good is all the reading if the knowledge gained is never put into action? Knowledge grows by use. Bach had little formal training in music, yet he is considered one of the greatest geniuses in Western music. He acquired his knowledge from the study of actual compositions, often by copying or transcribing them, and by constant experimentation. Bach is a superb example of learning by doing and being guided by one's own principles. So, when in doubt, follow the examples of the great composers: learn by doing.