the creative process in music?

Question

does your musical interest/bands you listen to greatly influence the things you play on guitar. like if you listen to metal and only metal are you only going to be able to play metal.

and what if you listen to a mixture of genres does that mean you are capable of playing any of those genres?

i guess the main question im getting at is how does originallity form from a band and how does it sound different from there interest if it does at all.

Answer 1

No band in the history of music is truly original. Everything we have ever heard in our lifetimes have been derived from the inspirations those artists had. Yes, by only listening to one genre of music you are limiting yourself to adequately write for only one genre, if you don't know the song structure and styles of other genres you will have no chance at playing it well. Everything you ever play will be inspired by something you enjoyed hearing in the past.

Answer 2

In my experience what you listen to do have an influence on what you play but I dont think places a limit on what you can play. To state the obvious, it is a good idea to broaden your horizons (in what you listen to and play) if you want to be the best musician you can.

I have read numerous interviews with famous musicians and often times when questioned about inspiration for a song they will say "I was trying to figure out freebird," or some other song and they ended up making their own song.

I always remember that there are only 12 notes you can play so no matter, what your songs are going to sound a little but like other peoples

Answer 3

If you have good influences you will have a solid foundation, from which you can create music i.e. works of art.

Those influences will come out in the music you play with whatever band you've formed. Perhaps you have multiple influences and maybe mesh or stir them together to eventually forge a whole new sound. Eventually you'll improvise a little yourself, adding that bit of originality to your group's "sound."

Remember your always ripping someone else off no matter what your style. You can't play music without borrowing or lending an idea from your influences.

Answer 4

I listen to quite a broad range of music, but my favourites vary from ska to rock. However, when playing guitar or keyboard and attempt to write music, i find myself writing quite a variety of music when just free composing (letting whatever takes my fancy just happen)
However, if you listen to a particular type of music (e.g. ska) more so than others, it undoubtedly helps alot when writing that kind of music. Originality comes whenever presented with a blank canvas. i.e. when you write music without directly copying from a particular song or artist, your own influences shape the song and the sound.
Hope this answers your question a little

Answer 5

The creative process is totally subjective. It's different for different people. My suggestion is to listen to all styles of music, learn to play your instrument as well as you can, and let the process happen for you.