What is originality? We know it is a pipe dream: it seems that in almost all cases, what seems original is just not understood well. For example, the distinct flavor of Eitetsu’s Taiko comes from his extensive background in Kabuki and his artistic journey. Within that journey, Eitetsu was able to make connections that inspired him and create Taiko music that no one had heard before.
But, we know the disappointment of being unoriginal. So, how do we know what we are doing is original? How should we strive for originality?
And to go further, is being orignal the goal of music? Is enjoying what we are doing, original? If we are never truly original, what is this feeling that is so alive, to make new connections that no one has laid out before. And what is that feeling of nostalgia when, in hindsight, we see that which we thought was original was so natural.
So many questions.
Sometimes, I get in these ruts and I want the answers. Like a physics question, I want a textbook to tell me the answers and I want to walk away satisfied. But, like most physics research question, the only person to ask, is you and the likely answers are, “we don’t know”. It’s nice ot have a teacher or senior to ask these questions. But, I’ve felt so much more growth when I have no one to ask and I must try to answer those questions myself.
Something about being the only one who can answer a question is frgihtening, freeing, and liberating all at the same time.