Is Every Artist a Thief? Redefining Originality in Music Composition

Is every artist a thief, or can one create a unique soundtrack without copying other music? The answer to this question lies in the complex interplay of artistic influence and originality. While it is true that every artist, even the best, is influenced by others, complete originality is elusive. However, artists can still create unique works by understanding and utilizing musical conventions, processes, and techniques.

Art as a Cultural Inheritance

Art exists in a cultural environment. Every artist inherits cultural conventions and ideas from the past. This doesn’t mean they are stealing, but rather taking inspiration from existing frameworks to create something new. Just like Haydn, who revolutionized the symphony, many artists add their unique flavor to established forms.

master composers like Beethoven influenced countless generations. However, it doesn't mean that every musician today is a thief. It simply means that music, like any art form, evolves within a cultural context. To truly innovate, one must listen widely and deeply.

Understanding Conventions and Creativity

Musical conventions, such as the rock drumbeat with snare on 2 and 4, are common elements shared by many songs in the genre. Using them does not constitute plagiarism, as they are part of the musical language. Originality comes from combining and transforming these conventions in unique ways.

Composers need to have control over their own creativity, which can be achieved through technical practice and theoretical knowledge. The ideas in one's head are often influenced by the music they have heard. The process of composing is about letting these ideas mix and eventually spark new creations.

Collective vs Individual Creativity

Some musicians rely on collective intelligence to bring out their creativity. Think of legendary bands where former members struggle to produce music on their own. The interdependence of band members fosters a collaborative environment that facilitates artistic growth. This is seen in bands like Guns N' Roses and The Beatles, where Axl Rose and Paul McCartney’s creative pulse was triggered by their interactions.

However, there are other artists who master the process of composition deeply. By understanding this process, they can create original works without relying on pre-existing ideas. Great composers like Monteverdi, Brahms, and Stravinsky assimilated the influence of other artists into their own processes rather than individual phrases.

Experimenting with Musical Phrases

In a classroom exercise, students were asked to write a sonata movement based on an initial phrase from Haydn. Despite having the same knowledge and being guided by the same teacher, each student produced a unique result. This demonstrates that the process and method, rather than the initial idea, drive the final composition.

Even if a composer begins with an idea that resembles another, the final result will be unique as long as they work with a structured process. Professional musicians often don’t worry about plagiarism because they understand that their unique creativity will shine through the process.

Conclusion

While artistic influence is inevitable, complete originality is unattainable. The key to creating unique musical works lies in understanding and manipulating musical conventions and processes. By listening widely, mastering techniques, and fostering a collaborative and individual approach, one can achieve artistic innovation without being a thief.