The Axis of Originality
I once heard film composer James Horner in an interview defending the notorious allegation that he often reuses his own material. As his defense, Horner chose this statement: "There are only twelve tones. Eventually you are going to have to use combinations of the same ones again. It is inevitable." I've always found that to be an interesting way to think of it. I'm not sure I agree—while theoretically possible, I don't suppose we are likely to run out of possible musical combinations using the tones available, at least in our lifetimes. If you were to start thinking about semitones, incremental musicology, and (my personal favorite) polyrhythms, it's just not that likely. But a discussion of those variables in music isn't what I want to focus on today.
The Thread
One of my mentors (and a core member of my brain trust) says, "The most important part of creating something is that thread of personality that only you can bring to it." His use of the word thread is interesting to me because that's really all it takes. All originality needs to be a thin, subtle, and barely noticeable ribbon of you. You can use the same colors, or even the same muse, to paint a portrait that one million artists have used before, but your portrait is going to be absolutely 100% unique, no question. I could task you with writing a song with only 6 notes of my designation, and your song will sound wholly different from the next person's. That's your thread. It's the fragments of you, the elements of your life, that spill into a work of art and make it an original piece.
A Silly Homework Assignment
I'm actually up in the air on a flight this morning so this is going to deteriorate quickly in a second into pure laugh-out-loud entertainment. In the video clip below, the hilarious Axis of Awesome make their own statement on the idea of originality. Have fun with this. I laughed my ass off… Mostly because it's all true. Every last overused chord of it. But while you are watching it, it will be tough for you ignore their point: Originality is nowhere, and yet it is everywhere. It wouldn't matter if there were only 5 tones, or 3, or 1. You will use those tones completely differently than another person to make something that has never been created before. It is not a difficult task for a Creative to let his or her mind wander free to create a wholly original work. Creating something that the general populace will love? Well… That's a different story altogether. There are no real rules for that either, but it is certainly a more difficult task.
What Do You Think?
I would like to hear your thoughts on this subject. I know you have some—you cannot be a Creative and not have an opinion on creativity and originality. If you aren't sure what you can share in this conversation, start by telling me what is unique about your voice in your artistic space. Leave it in a COMMENT below.
If you cannot see the video below, click here.
