"Classical musicians do this all the time. They want perfection. So they piece things together. Eight bars of this and six bars of that. Glenn Gould said that with a recording he wanted to make perfect versions of pieces."
~ John Abercrombie
Okay, gang, this is the big Momma of an exercise. If you do this one, you’re going to end up with 10 new scenes, 10 new sketches or 10 new ideas so don’t be overwhelmed by it – just go with it!TODAY’S CREATIVITY CHALLENGE:
Look through your new and improved musical library and pick 5 songs that seem like they might be related to one another in some way. By emotional resonance, narrative themes, energy, sound, just a feeling you have in your gut. Don’t sweat over this – pick the songs quickly without much thought.
Now, do the same thing to find 5 songs that seem completely unrelated to one another and to the first 5 songs you picked. You should have 10 songs total now.
Take those 10 songs and alternate them, put a “related” song first then follow with an “unrelated” until all 10 songs have been organized. Don’t think about it too much. Just put them in that order quickly.
Get your paper, your sketch pad, your paints, your computer – whatever you are working with. Press play on the first song.
Now, write, paint, sketch, draw, dance, design creating a piece/scene/dance/sculpture/outfit based on this particular song. You can only create for as long as the song goes so move quickly. Don’t over think it. Use the song as both your inspiration and timer.
When the next song begins, stop your work from the first song immediately and start a new piece, new scene, new monologue, new painting, new sketch. Again, use this new song to inspire and time your work. Don’t think. Don’t try to make connections. Just let your work flow without thought.
Do this for all 10 songs. By the end of it, your hands should feel like they might fall off! Tada! You’ve just outlined/sketched 10 mini-pieces.
How are they related? Are they at all? Is there a larger collection/story here?
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