Share your work in progress; help us continue to care for Wafaa in Gaza; imperfections as anti-AI praxis
Hey folks,
Welcome back to another edition of Sharing Notes! Read online here.
Share your work in progress
So I recently re-published my notes on music, creativity, etc.. They were offline for about 9 months or something, while I was doubting myself, trying to figure out what is worth sharing. I told myself, "Well, these might better become more fleshed-out blogs or articles one day." (Maybe. Though I hardly blogged in those 9 months.) I originally starting sharing my notes because it was a place for thoughts-in-progress. And now I've come to remember the importance of sharing work in progress. In my experience, sharing the work in progress can actually make the difference for the work itself. I don't think my song "Seeking a Friend in LA" would have become what it is if I hadn't shared online a draft and performance of the first verse and then received positive feedback. That share got some folks interested in hearing the rest—including me! So I finished writing the song.
Help us continue to care for Wafaa in Gaza
Thank you those who contributed to my my friend Wafaa's fundraiser after I wrote you last. She messaged me to say thank you, as one of you donated $100! But she still needs our help. As you may know, conditions in Gaza remain dire. Two months ago, Wafaa's daughter Dima passed away from brain cancer. Wafaa has lost 22 other family members to the genocide. She asked me, "Please pray for me to have patience." When she wrote patience, I couldn't help but think of the Arabic word sumud—something like "steadfast perseverance." Let us persevere in our anti-imperialism too. If you can spare it, please continue to donate.
Imperfections as anti-AI praxis
Professor Skye explains how Angine de Poitrine's virtuosity is what audiences seek in this age of AI music. I do agree that folks are searching for music that touches our humanity. I also think that imperfection, not just virtuosity, does that thing for us. Humans are capable of happy accidents and endearing mistakes. Imperfections are part of one's artistic voice. Because even for all Angine de Poitrine's virtuosity, there's a uniquely human sloppiness there too, even if only subtle, which naturally happens when doing hard things like performing music, and I think we love that jlike we love to watch a tight-rope walker. So I challenge us to leave in some imperfections in our art. Let an outtake make the final cut. Let a composition be rough-hewn. Let it be only as good as you can make it, and then let it be.
For some classic examples of beloved, imperfectly recorded songs, check this Polyphonic video.
ICYMI
That's all for now. Thank you for reading! Write me back, if you like.
Peace,
Arend
Listen to my music
Make a record with me
Take lessons with me
|