I realized at some point that most creative people i know, including myself, operate with a a major misconception in their head. I think people think they are striving for Originality, which is not a real thing as you mentioned, but also, what they actually are aiming for is AUTHENTICITY. The best art connects with people because it is relatable to something within them, not because it's something brand new that's never been conceived of by anyone before. When you express yourself authentically everyone can feel it, and when you are trying to do something because you saw a popular thing and you want to be popular so you try to copy that, people can often feel that as well, mostly the artist themselves
I don’t know… I think it’s possible to try not to do what everyone around you is doing. Or to have absolutely zero interest in trends and approach your thing from your own perspective which is potentially going to be authentically your own.
@ryangunwitch-black Authenticity means not caring whether your art is original or not. Just doing it and staying true to your vision, whatever that may be. Actively avoiding popular culture is not original, just pretentious.
@@elbschwartzNietzsche explains this best with his concept of the Spirit, The Camel, The Lion, and the Child. Only when you don’t care if you’re rebelling or conforming will you begin to be authentic. Do you like Taylor Swift? Awesome. Do you like Taylor Swift because you think that somehow that’s going to do something for your image or make someone else like you? Not so awesome. Just do you. You will be much happier because genuinely “Your vibe, attracts your tribe.”
Right on! It is the self-conscious, look at how fucking clever and originally am hard to drive me crazy. It is authenticity that matters! That is why Neil Young is a great guitarist. It’s not his technique, obviously, it is because he plays from the heart And doesn’t fuck around with being cute. Authenticity is all that matters as an artist, and in some ways, as a human.
One thing that took me a very long time as an artist to accept was that the only thing that’ll make you better is getting out of your own way and doing the work, every day. Decide on an idea and act on it, when you get stuck you figure out what artists you admire did to solve that specific problem. Study and copy the artists and techniques you love regardless of whatever medium and then apply that to your own art immediately. Don’t get stuck in tutorial hell where you trick your brain into thinking you’ve learned something but when you sit down to write or draw you realized all those hours spent watching and listening should’ve been spent working.
i love what you said: “you cannot get around being yourself, no matter how much you try, you’re always gonna be you.” it’s 100 percent spot on. We imbue the work with ourselves whether we know it or not.
Which is where originality comes from if you’re honest with yourself . Bonus points for bucking trends because you’re honestly not interested or moved by them in the least.
Then how would you assess it when people make art for a certain audience vs what they would make for themselves if they never had to worry about selling it? Music is filled with professional songwriters that write pop songs so they can also afford to make their solo album of weirdo music for a very narrow audience. Sure, they’re filtering the pop music through their own point of view but it’s still very much filtered to meet the expectations of an audience. I know for my 30+ years of playing guitar I went from mimicking my heroes and not being satisfied by that till I made some uncomfortable decisions and explore what really resonates with me and feels like the most unfiltered version of myself without any “fan service” to the kind of people I’d like to impress with my music.
As a professional sculptor and a mediocre hobbyist guitar player, I love where you're going with this channel. I used to mostly watch it for the cool pedal info. And that was fine. Now I watch it much more often and find that your perspectives and book recommendations are wonderful additions to how I think about my own work, and to life in general. Thank you for branching out into this more philosophical mode. It is greatly appreciated.
@@Vermonster23 Same here. I'm aware of Josh from my pedal-buying years - but I'm not a gear-person anymore. I'm here for the insight and the book recommendations.
Point 2, no one becomes a master. I saw Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter in concert in 2017. I was off to the side and could see a bit of the backstage area. While Wayne was playing his set I noticed that there were a lot of people backstage walking around, chatting with each other. Herbie, the legend himself, was sat in a folding chair just behind a side curtain, leaned forward and carefully watching everything Wayne was doing. Herbie Hancock, in his 70’s, was LEARNING.
this misconception that you can't be a master just because you are always learning doesn't make any sense to me. It is possible to be a master and still learn....... I am confused as to why people think that learning means you aren't a master, its actually the opposite. The master knows he is always a student. I have to disagree with this one.
Jorge Luis Borges used to say that you never finish a poem, you just let it go: If you want to write the perfect thing (or at least what you think is perfect), you just can go on forever; in a certain moment you need to pass to something else.
That method of making art doesn't work for me. I finish poems all the time. If i go about writing a poem with the expectation that it won't be finished- that i'll touch it up and revise it and eventually just move on- it will turn into an ugly thing. More of a crafted bastard of thought than a work of art. Of course perfect doesn't exist in art, and if it did we wouldn't recognize it. But i find it works much better to allow a thing to be created easily, and at once if possible. Of course it takes less effort, but the results are what really matters and an effortful creation is rarely as great as the other kind.
@@SeeSawMassacre I get your point but it's not actually a "method". Borges was very deliberate with his craft, very obsessive (he also used to be quite harsh with other people's work; sometimes simply unfair). What he was trying to say is that you have to work hard, focused, rigorously, to get the job done, but there's a certain point where you need to set some kind of limit to yourself because: 1) you can go on forever writing, erasing, rewriting (the notion of infinity was a recurrent topic in his texts); but also, 2) you can't fully control what happens with something you made, no matter how hard you try, it follows it's own path. In other words, making art means to address those limits, to develop your own personal way to deal with (and against) them.
@@ricardodubatti657 That's true. I used to think about the two different ways of making art- Bob Dylan's vs. Leonard Cohen's. I adore both of their work, and i wouldn't put one above the other- their stuff is simply as good as it gets (as is the work of many artists). Anyway, i read somewhere that Leonard Cohen talked to Dylan sometime about writing songs, and Dylan said, yeah I wrote that in the back of a taxi cab. Meanwhile Cohen wrote like eighty verses to Hallelujah. I can't find the source or i'd just quote it. But Cohen's way made him sick while he did it, and he often bemoaned the painfulness of his process. Having read about this and tried things both ways, i've moved more and more toward the easy way of doing things- though it's more my nature to obsess and sweat over it. I never rewrite poems- they're as good as they will ever be right off the bat. And the longer i work on a song, the more difficult it becomes to loosen my grip on it, and to let go of the stupid ideas i have, to let something more true and interesting than what i could say shine through. Sometimes you have to sweat, but it's better not to, and we should be open to the possibility of magic, or lightning or whatever.
@@SeeSawMassacre Yeah, I heard that story. Personally, I like to erase and rewrite, it's amazing when you start to find things you wouldn't expect to happen on the paper. Nevertheless, I don't like to overcomplicate the process to the point I start to burn out or to overthink or to suffer. I think that there's a balance, even in the complexicity, that makes a work of art truly enjoyable and as a creator you have to find/provide some of that joy (even when you're writing something that's not "happy", of course).
For a long time now I’ve created what I want to create without being a hostage to success. I’m happy to just create, whether it be music or writing, it’s enough for me and quite liberating. All of it is out there for people to read or listen to, my success is that I’did it and continue to do it.
Mr. Scott, you truly are inspiring this particular 50-year-old musician who never did a damn thing of any note to stretch out, and get out, to play again.
Love this channel josh…not sure how long you’ve been doing it…but it was just fed to me. As a 63 yr old business person, former music major and mediocre guitar player I love the crossover message you have in these vids. My teams created sales tools, marketing content and communications in a 150 year old industry and our work was patented and picked up for national TV ad campaigns. Watching my content on national TV with my kids was such a gift. The teams I hired were crazy creative….AND extremely successful…so your message resonates for me big time. Some of my motivation to be both creative and successful may have, sadly, come from family members who had PhDs in art history but bought into the idea that they had not struggle as artists and be poor. I vowed early on to NEVER be that guy. Thanks for sharing your version. You too have clearly achieved creative success. Love your other Chanel too BTW. It’s a masterful marriage of left and right brain content.
I started taking music writing and production seriously age 42. Almost 45 now. Hardest part is becoming an 'artist'. Constantly creating, being vulnerable, finishing. All the things that have nothing to do with musicality or skill.
As a 70 year old starving artist I really enjoyed this episode! 😊😊 As far as your photography endeavor, the advice I got was to study composition and focal points.
True perfection requires infinite time to achieve, which means you have to stop beforehand... Josh, please take this channel to whichever direction flows easiest for you at this moment. You explain things so clearly that anyone watching can draw parallels to their unique situation and interests. Thank you!
Good stuff, Josh! The other side of the “starving artist” mindset are those who think that they can’t be a legitimate artist because they have a job. Why can’t you have both? I know that you’ve touched on this before, but it would be great if you did a dedicated video on perfectionism and how it impedes your progress as an artist. Love this channel, keep it going!
dont try to be original is one of the most powerful things you can tell an artist. many 2d artists struggle with the concept of style. many delude themselves into thinking that their quirks and inadequacies define their style. e,g bad anatomy, bad line control. to me, style should always be a matter of choice or at the very least cognitive bias as opposed to being incompetent. what irks me the most is when these incompetent artist blame the industry for not having job opportunities for them when they barely do anything outside their comfort zone. im by no means an amazing artist but ive already had people scout me at conventions; saying weird things like my anime art is hyper realistic and unlike most they have seen. i dont think they actually know what hyper realism actually means but ill take it that they see a cognitive bias that i have with lighting elements and other nuances that are presumably different from most others. i never tried to be different, i just look for the best way to do things according to what i judge to be good. that somehow turns into a style but its not like im gonna be attached to it and not let it evolve. thanks Josh once again for almost vindicating what i believe in
I have found joy in being a beginner/mediocre player with diverse selection of instruments and genres. It enables to participate at all kinds of jamming sessions regardless of genre.
The famous quote, usually misquoted: a jack of all trades is master of none, but still better than master of one. How often have you heard someone use this but only quite the first half? Josh, the learned wisdom and practical truth in this post is absolutely wonderful and very powerful. And both required a life time of experiences to get to. Thank you.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, reads, and experiences in the creative field Josh! Life as a creative is fun, but it can feel difficult at times. Videos like these help me stay oriented and motivated. 🙂 I would love to hear your thoughts on the act of creating art vs the sharing of that art on digital platforms. I believe they’re both valuable, and I don’t like to be a complainer of how “things have changed”. Would be awesome to know how you’ve embraced the digital age to create meaningful products and serve other people.
As a creative person, I have always struggled greatly with imposter syndrome, with a strong fear of failure and rejection. Perhaps I too, have tried too hard to be perfect and original. I must accept that I will never be finished learning. Thanks Josh.
Great to hear that you're planning to explore your photography here too. Given that we're all ageing, it'd be cool to hear how your practice might've changed as you've aged. With me, as my eyesight changes (becoming far-sighted in addition to myopic: can't really focus the camera any more) and arthritis does its thing (not so handy for the guitar), I'm having to learn how to adjust what I like to achieve to adapt to how my physicality changes. Often a pain, but definitely interesting!
I needed to hear this. I've been hiding my work bc of fear of negative comments. Thank you for reminding me of the importance of putting yourself out there.
I can completely relate. I only started "putting myself out there" 3 months ago. I had to be coerced into it. Now, I'm constantly doing just that, but I still struggle with the self-doubt. The truth is that I'm much happier doing it than not doing it.
I’m a musician in Nashville. I write and record everything myself in like a Jack white style. I also just write my first novel! And boy… the amount of criticism I get on “spreading myself too thin” because I like to learn and do it all is crazy. I appreciate the video helping me confirm my thoughts and tune out the lazy folk. You’re the man.
Lessons 3 and (especially) 4 made me wonder... have you ever heard of (or participated in) February Album Writing Month (FAWM)? I think these (and similar) principles are hardwired into that challenge and community. And it's still early February... I'm sure you could get a few (dozen) songs in!
This also applies to those creatives stuck in day jobs they may not really want. As you move through your job(s), always look for opportunities to develop skills that you can use in your creative work and ultimately help your artistic career.
and also find a way to make it work for your process. I have a job I have to work to pay the bills, but it’s appreciated on days that I don’t physically feel like creating the art//have some kind of mental block to work through.
Practice in public - thanks, Scott! This one’s hard for many of us to execute. Putting myself out there made all the difference in how I view my work. 👍🏻
hey Josh love your stuff . I can really clearly remember One evening as I was leaving my Local Library at closing time. I had been studying reference books .. which were not for borrowing & so could only be read at Tables in the Library. As I walked home I had this moment of realisation which filled me with pure Joy . All of the things that I was interested in were an inexhaustible source of constant discovery . It would be impossible to ever Know everything .. & so my whole life was going to be a constant process of wonder & discovery . The world of Nature & science . Art . Music. Reading & writing. History etc . I was so happy to think that my life was going to be one of constantly learning & discovering new things I had not known yet . I have never once felt " oh it's all too much .. I give up Lol" Knowing ( to paraphrase Socrates ) I know that I know Nothing .. lol .. This would have been in the 1960's .. B4 the internet etc . & I am still daily delighted by new discoveries I hear about. Or simply looking closely at trees & clouds . Walking in the Forest. The funny thing is I have often been described by other people as a " bit of a know it all " & even " Big headed " ?? lol when in fact I am constantly reminded that not only have I forgotten all the latin names of the common British Birds & mammals ( that I once knew ) . But I don't care . I can now look it up again . My only slight disappointment is knowing I will not live for hundreds of years ..lol & have more time to discover more cool stuff . From an old Man who is still learning & delighted to find out something new about the Universe & new music & Art . Bye for now from Ye olde Man in the Forest. Knowledge is for sharing. . It always makes me feel surprised at people who claim to be Bored . Bye & thankyou . you are inspiring.
I love your comment. I watch people in my job chase promotions and money in an effort to get stuff. I have no interest in that. There is a wealth of information to be had - that can be found in $5 used books. The covers may be torn - or the pages marked - but the wisdom is not diminished. Each new idea alters the lens through which we view life. From one aspiring know-it-all to another - respect, sir.
The 'Acquire More Skills' section spoke to me. It's amazing how lessons from one skill can inform another. I became interested in economics a few years ago. I realized that economics can be applied to everything - because it is not just about money. It is - in simple terms - "the study of the allocation of scarce resources which have alternative uses" (Thomas Sowell). Everything in our lives can be viewed through that lens. Money, attention-span, physical effort, time, etc. are all in limited supply - so we must be careful about how we allocate them. A passing interest in economics changed how I live...and subsequently, how I create and mix music. Sparse, well composed music can be every bit as impactful as huge dense mixes.
Excellent video!! Thanks for sharing this, Josh. Very thought-provoking. ...Also, totally dug the Lego metaphor: going to use that as internal justification next time I decide to randomly try learning a new instrument. 😆
If I could go back in time and give this advice to the younger me,.. oh man, I really needed to hear this back then. It helps so much to hear it now, Thank you, Josh.
Hey Josh. I'm really happy that you are making this series of videos. Reading has helped me thru accepting my new reality after I busted my hearing about two years ago (tinnitus and hyperacusis) thought I'm carefully trying to get back into making music. Last month for instance I read 5 books, two of which were non-fiction you recommended on this channel. This month however, I'm having a hard time keeping the momentum and I feel I'm probably getting in a reading slump. I know there's already many comments, but I would be interested in knowing how you would deal with this situation. Thanks for the inspiration and keep those videos coming. :)
Thanks, Josh! These suggestions are a wonderful mix of validation that I'm doing things right, and reminders of habits I need to shift around my artistic pursuits.
Another brilliant take! I wish I'd heard those things years ago! It's pure wisdom and I can't believe I'm only now realising how the concept alone of "being an artist" has been a jail for me and so many around me. Either by committing to one genre/medium/instrument, or having massive imposter syndrome because you're not poor/struggling enough, or creating mediocre art just for the sake of being original and because you think you've found "your" schtick. Please keep this channel alive. I don't know much about photography but I think there would be a lot to cover starting with the composition. It resonates with design (pedals, instruments, amps, even gig posters, or instagram posts...) All those things us musicians have had to learn (or have been struggling with) over the years. Anyway. Thanks Josh!
Another amazing video, Josh. I really needed these pieces of advice. About point number 5, what is really helping me keep the creative juice flowing is learning drums being a guitarist, because it was a necessary step for me to record some songs. I'm learning according to my needs, so it's being pretty active and mentally stimulating to me. Also, not only playing drums is pretty fun, but exploring new musical stuff is also great. I used to think, for example, "wow, playing drums must be so fun. Well, I'm a guitarist, so I probably won't be able to do that", and, surprise surprise, I can do that too. And the more I play, the better I get. It's so simple and obvious but sometimes we just forget about this and let our self judgement overtake our mind that just want to express ourselves or simply have fun.
loving this turn to "Self-Help" content ... just absolutely fantastic advice in all of them -- lots of stuff I wish somebody told me when I was still 16!
Just speaking in general terms regarding creativity is refreshing in and of itself. I’m a guitar guy mostly, but it’s nice to discuss related things instead of the standard lessons and gear demos. It speaks to a larger world which in turn feels much more expansive.
When my daughter, was picking her major and minor courses for university. With art being a big part of her life. The only advice I gave her from being a creative myself, was to "have a good job to keep your art going". She says it was the best advice I ever gave her.
I really appreciate watching you as a business owner having retired a couple years ago from running a private EMS company. My partner and I read extensively to get new ideas into our heads both to grow the company but also, ourselves. I am a bit pissed that my sale team never found your company as not only did my business focus on circuit board assembly, I'm a pedal junkie.
I agree with others on here, that I like this direction your channel has taken. This video and your video, "Art Is Wasteful" have been HUGELY helpful for me! Thank you for releasing these!
It's so interesting to me, as a guy over 50 who's been able to keep creativity a central point in my life into my 50s that the more you learn about living a creative life, the more you let go and trust the process. When I was living in NY and busting my ass to make something happen with music I was such a basket case. I wanted it so bad and I worked so many years and after I let that go and moved on to other pursuits, I realized that holding on so hard was a huge part of the burnout I ultimately experienced. But that hasn't stopped me from doing the same thing in the 20+ years since. The only difference is I was able to recognize it sooner. My next big leap was going to grad school and getting an MFA in fiction wiriting. I got there of 50 pages of a book that I spent the next 8 years finishing. Writing is so much more a solitary pursuit than music (or TH-cam) and I eventually learned to appreciate the process more than the outcome. Being an artist is a way of life. We're taught from an early age that you have to train and get a job and when people try to think about that transaction as it relates to art, they lose touch with what drew them there. Some people need it in their lives whether it makes them rich or they never make a dime, but they perseverate over that part of it so much it bleaches the joy out of it. Me. I'm talking about me. Don't be me. Thanks for these videos. I've been making TH-cam videos for a long time and making a living on it for a while, but I find I'm often making videos that don't touch the artist part of me. I long for the conversation about art and artists, but I don't make those videos because it's not in my "niche." Ugh.
Thanks for sharing this. I’m on my 60’s and finally let go of the niche thing. That isn’t nearly as relevant or necessary as it used to be. Happy pursuits!
Josh, seriously, this is outstanding! Point for point, down to the extremely detailed comments you made, are all things I not only agree with, but have personally essentially used as my inner perspective towards my songwriting (my primary artform). Everything you touched on - not being found... I literally hid away in plain sight for decades, and over the previous year, recorded and released my debut solo album (Cloudburst - Dream Awake). That also touches on the point of finishing your product and putting it out As to originality, EXACTLY - just honestly express yourself, and regardless of your influences shining through, you will by the very nature of NOT TRYING, will open the door to you just being yourself, which is inherently original in its own way. My album opens with a song that has a sort of dramatic hit of a guitar chord. I didn't write it meaning to reference A Hard Day's Night, but I kept it, because it was true to the song I wrote, regardless of accidentally referencing a huge influence (though being an entirely different chord) Perfection... Are you kidding? Somewhere along the way, possibly because of a specific friend I had 😉, I embrace my slightly sloppy guitar playing. Of course I TRY to put my best fingers forward, but sometimes spaghetti-fingers happen, and so it goes - I say LEAN INTO IT. I could be misattributing this, but I think Monk once said something like "mistakes? There are no mistakes. Play the note once, you call it a mistake, play it again and again, suddenly it's jazz" The point being to not be hung up on what is "correct" and learn to appreciate playing what FEELS and SOUNDS good to you. For young artists and old, we all are on a path - one with growth if you choose and pursue that. For me, I hid away, but I didn't get distracted nor downgrade my art, I kept at it, and continue to grow to this day. I think any artist paying any attention, and doing it "for real" can't HELP but grow in the process. Oh, and even if you suck at the business side, try to get paid for the work you do. We dig to the soul, so it's worth something, despite what we're often made to feel by some who maybe aren't creative in those ways, and don't get what it takes to do what we do
Definitely a balance is needed. It's crucial to maintain originality while knowing where your roots come from and knowing what you're trying to project. Originality shouldn't be something we try to do but it should be just something we are. Absolutely embrace that you have influences and that that's part of your sound.
These last few videos have been great, Josh! Beyond just reinforcing some of my own thoughts on the topics of creativity, like you experienced yourself with the book, it also helped me take comfort in the idea that other creatives have similar things on their mind, from the commercial viability of art to a multidisciplinary approach to creative endeavours etc. It's giving me a feeling of belonging, somehow.
Your videos are such a wonderful resource to surround myself with ENERGY and to use as springboards for my creative thought process. Thanks for taking time to share some of your experience with us.
thx dude love these really helps with just the day to day. These are relatable to everyday life and my job. I have implemented a lot of your thoughts and ideas into my leadership discussions and it's really resonating with my team.
Good afternoon Josh, great point about always learning and never let yourself believe you're done evolving... Perfection is a myth, especially for humans. Appreciate your unique imperfections. Practice makes better, never perfect. Thank you for the encouragement.
There are SO many revelations here for me. Practising in Public is huge for me. I hide my craft constantly until it's "ready". Which might be never if it's up to me! And I know it's perfectionism, which is nothing but a crippling lie.
I would also like say that something you've made not being well received or criticized will sting, but it will never hurt as much as no one ever experiencing what you create and poured all/most of your passion and life into.
I realized at some point that most creative people i know, including myself, operate with a a major misconception in their head. I think people think they are striving for Originality, which is not a real thing as you mentioned, but also, what they actually are aiming for is AUTHENTICITY. The best art connects with people because it is relatable to something within them, not because it's something brand new that's never been conceived of by anyone before. When you express yourself authentically everyone can feel it, and when you are trying to do something because you saw a popular thing and you want to be popular so you try to copy that, people can often feel that as well, mostly the artist themselves
I don’t know… I think it’s possible to try not to do what everyone around you is doing. Or to have absolutely zero interest in trends and approach your thing from your own perspective which is potentially going to be authentically your own.
@ryangunwitch-black the two can certainly co-exist and I think not glomming onto fleeting trends will likely result in authentic and unique work
@ryangunwitch-black Authenticity means not caring whether your art is original or not. Just doing it and staying true to your vision, whatever that may be. Actively avoiding popular culture is not original, just pretentious.
@@elbschwartzNietzsche explains this best with his concept of the Spirit, The Camel, The Lion, and the Child. Only when you don’t care if you’re rebelling or conforming will you begin to be authentic. Do you like Taylor Swift? Awesome. Do you like Taylor Swift because you think that somehow that’s going to do something for your image or make someone else like you? Not so awesome. Just do you. You will be much happier because genuinely “Your vibe, attracts your tribe.”
Right on! It is the self-conscious, look at how fucking clever and originally am hard to drive me crazy. It is authenticity that matters! That is why Neil Young is a great guitarist. It’s not his technique, obviously, it is because he plays from the heart And doesn’t fuck around with being cute. Authenticity is all that matters as an artist, and in some ways, as a human.
One thing that took me a very long time as an artist to accept was that the only thing that’ll make you better is getting out of your own way and doing the work, every day. Decide on an idea and act on it, when you get stuck you figure out what artists you admire did to solve that specific problem. Study and copy the artists and techniques you love regardless of whatever medium and then apply that to your own art immediately. Don’t get stuck in tutorial hell where you trick your brain into thinking you’ve learned something but when you sit down to write or draw you realized all those hours spent watching and listening should’ve been spent working.
That's a great approach and I couldn't agree more!
i love what you said: “you cannot get around being yourself, no matter how much you try, you’re always gonna be you.” it’s 100 percent spot on. We imbue the work with ourselves whether we know it or not.
Which is where originality comes from if you’re honest with yourself . Bonus points for bucking trends because you’re honestly not interested or moved by them in the least.
Then how would you assess it when people make art for a certain audience vs what they would make for themselves if they never had to worry about selling it? Music is filled with professional songwriters that write pop songs so they can also afford to make their solo album of weirdo music for a very narrow audience. Sure, they’re filtering the pop music through their own point of view but it’s still very much filtered to meet the expectations of an audience. I know for my 30+ years of playing guitar I went from mimicking my heroes and not being satisfied by that till I made some uncomfortable decisions and explore what really resonates with me and feels like the most unfiltered version of myself without any “fan service” to the kind of people I’d like to impress with my music.
""Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is you-er than you." - Dr. Seuss
As a professional sculptor and a mediocre hobbyist guitar player, I love where you're going with this channel. I used to mostly watch it for the cool pedal info. And that was fine. Now I watch it much more often and find that your perspectives and book recommendations are wonderful additions to how I think about my own work, and to life in general. Thank you for branching out into this more philosophical mode. It is greatly appreciated.
I enjoy the perspective more than pedals. Honestly, I’m not really buying any at the moment.
@@Vermonster23 Same here. I'm aware of Josh from my pedal-buying years - but I'm not a gear-person anymore. I'm here for the insight and the book recommendations.
Glad to hear
This is not the jhs chanel so be sure to subscribe! Really glad you are enjoying
Ok, good thing you pointed that out, I had not noticed. Very cool video by the way, so I subscribed 🤘
Man I love listening to Josh talk about really anything.
Point 2, no one becomes a master. I saw Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter in concert in 2017. I was off to the side and could see a bit of the backstage area. While Wayne was playing his set I noticed that there were a lot of people backstage walking around, chatting with each other. Herbie, the legend himself, was sat in a folding chair just behind a side curtain, leaned forward and carefully watching everything Wayne was doing. Herbie Hancock, in his 70’s, was LEARNING.
So, Herbie has mastered the art of learning? 🤔
Learning and ENJOYING!
this misconception that you can't be a master just because you are always learning doesn't make any sense to me. It is possible to be a master and still learn....... I am confused as to why people think that learning means you aren't a master, its actually the opposite. The master knows he is always a student. I have to disagree with this one.
Jorge Luis Borges used to say that you never finish a poem, you just let it go: If you want to write the perfect thing (or at least what you think is perfect), you just can go on forever; in a certain moment you need to pass to something else.
I like that. I need to think that way with my songs.
That method of making art doesn't work for me. I finish poems all the time. If i go about writing a poem with the expectation that it won't be finished- that i'll touch it up and revise it and eventually just move on- it will turn into an ugly thing. More of a crafted bastard of thought than a work of art. Of course perfect doesn't exist in art, and if it did we wouldn't recognize it. But i find it works much better to allow a thing to be created easily, and at once if possible. Of course it takes less effort, but the results are what really matters and an effortful creation is rarely as great as the other kind.
@@SeeSawMassacre I get your point but it's not actually a "method". Borges was very deliberate with his craft, very obsessive (he also used to be quite harsh with other people's work; sometimes simply unfair). What he was trying to say is that you have to work hard, focused, rigorously, to get the job done, but there's a certain point where you need to set some kind of limit to yourself because: 1) you can go on forever writing, erasing, rewriting (the notion of infinity was a recurrent topic in his texts); but also, 2) you can't fully control what happens with something you made, no matter how hard you try, it follows it's own path. In other words, making art means to address those limits, to develop your own personal way to deal with (and against) them.
@@ricardodubatti657 That's true. I used to think about the two different ways of making art- Bob Dylan's vs. Leonard Cohen's. I adore both of their work, and i wouldn't put one above the other- their stuff is simply as good as it gets (as is the work of many artists). Anyway, i read somewhere that Leonard Cohen talked to Dylan sometime about writing songs, and Dylan said, yeah I wrote that in the back of a taxi cab. Meanwhile Cohen wrote like eighty verses to Hallelujah. I can't find the source or i'd just quote it. But Cohen's way made him sick while he did it, and he often bemoaned the painfulness of his process. Having read about this and tried things both ways, i've moved more and more toward the easy way of doing things- though it's more my nature to obsess and sweat over it. I never rewrite poems- they're as good as they will ever be right off the bat. And the longer i work on a song, the more difficult it becomes to loosen my grip on it, and to let go of the stupid ideas i have, to let something more true and interesting than what i could say shine through. Sometimes you have to sweat, but it's better not to, and we should be open to the possibility of magic, or lightning or whatever.
@@SeeSawMassacre Yeah, I heard that story. Personally, I like to erase and rewrite, it's amazing when you start to find things you wouldn't expect to happen on the paper. Nevertheless, I don't like to overcomplicate the process to the point I start to burn out or to overthink or to suffer. I think that there's a balance, even in the complexicity, that makes a work of art truly enjoyable and as a creator you have to find/provide some of that joy (even when you're writing something that's not "happy", of course).
For a long time now I’ve created what I want to create without being a hostage to success. I’m happy to just create, whether it be music or writing, it’s enough for me and quite liberating. All of it is out there for people to read or listen to, my success is that I’did it and continue to do it.
Mr. Scott, you truly are inspiring this particular 50-year-old musician who never did a damn thing of any note to stretch out, and get out, to play again.
Love this channel josh…not sure how long you’ve been doing it…but it was just fed to me. As a 63 yr old business person, former music major and mediocre guitar player I love the crossover message you have in these vids. My teams created sales tools, marketing content and communications in a 150 year old industry and our work was patented and picked up for national TV ad campaigns. Watching my content on national TV with my kids was such a gift. The teams I hired were crazy creative….AND extremely successful…so your message resonates for me big time. Some of my motivation to be both creative and successful may have, sadly, come from family members who had PhDs in art history but bought into the idea that they had not struggle as artists and be poor. I vowed early on to NEVER be that guy. Thanks for sharing your version. You too have clearly achieved creative success. Love your other Chanel too BTW. It’s a masterful marriage of left and right brain content.
I started taking music writing and production seriously age 42. Almost 45 now. Hardest part is becoming an 'artist'. Constantly creating, being vulnerable, finishing. All the things that have nothing to do with musicality or skill.
I know exactly what you mean. It can be exhausting
As a 70 year old starving artist I really enjoyed this episode! 😊😊 As far as your photography endeavor, the advice I got was to study composition and focal points.
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
True perfection requires infinite time to achieve, which means you have to stop beforehand...
Josh, please take this channel to whichever direction flows easiest for you at this moment. You explain things so clearly that anyone watching can draw parallels to their unique situation and interests. Thank you!
Got it - acquire more gear, perfect my sound in isolation and I will be exactly like my heroes. Thanks Josh
Good stuff, Josh! The other side of the “starving artist” mindset are those who think that they can’t be a legitimate artist because they have a job. Why can’t you have both?
I know that you’ve touched on this before, but it would be great if you did a dedicated video on perfectionism and how it impedes your progress as an artist.
Love this channel, keep it going!
dont try to be original is one of the most powerful things you can tell an artist. many 2d artists struggle with the concept of style. many delude themselves into thinking that their quirks and inadequacies define their style. e,g bad anatomy, bad line control. to me, style should always be a matter of choice or at the very least cognitive bias as opposed to being incompetent. what irks me the most is when these incompetent artist blame the industry for not having job opportunities for them when they barely do anything outside their comfort zone. im by no means an amazing artist but ive already had people scout me at conventions; saying weird things like my anime art is hyper realistic and unlike most they have seen. i dont think they actually know what hyper realism actually means but ill take it that they see a cognitive bias that i have with lighting elements and other nuances that are presumably different from most others. i never tried to be different, i just look for the best way to do things according to what i judge to be good. that somehow turns into a style but its not like im gonna be attached to it and not let it evolve. thanks Josh once again for almost vindicating what i believe in
"Steal Like An Artist" by Austin Kleon is a master class on this topic. Highly recommend.
I have found joy in being a beginner/mediocre player with diverse selection of instruments and genres. It enables to participate at all kinds of jamming sessions regardless of genre.
The famous quote, usually misquoted: a jack of all trades is master of none, but still better than master of one. How often have you heard someone use this but only quite the first half? Josh, the learned wisdom and practical truth in this post is absolutely wonderful and very powerful. And both required a life time of experiences to get to. Thank you.
Originality is imaginative and imagination is always a combination of things we know. We can’t imagine something original.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, reads, and experiences in the creative field Josh! Life as a creative is fun, but it can feel difficult at times. Videos like these help me stay oriented and motivated. 🙂
I would love to hear your thoughts on the act of creating art vs the sharing of that art on digital platforms. I believe they’re both valuable, and I don’t like to be a complainer of how “things have changed”. Would be awesome to know how you’ve embraced the digital age to create meaningful products and serve other people.
As a creative person, I have always struggled greatly with imposter syndrome, with a strong fear of failure and rejection. Perhaps I too, have tried too hard to be perfect and original. I must accept that I will never be finished learning. Thanks Josh.
You definitely belong to the majority of us 🎉
Josh - These videos are great and incredibly important. Thank you for making these and I hope they continue. Cheers
I’m glad you found them helpful!
Great to hear that you're planning to explore your photography here too. Given that we're all ageing, it'd be cool to hear how your practice might've changed as you've aged. With me, as my eyesight changes (becoming far-sighted in addition to myopic: can't really focus the camera any more) and arthritis does its thing (not so handy for the guitar), I'm having to learn how to adjust what I like to achieve to adapt to how my physicality changes. Often a pain, but definitely interesting!
I needed to hear this. I've been hiding my work bc of fear of negative comments. Thank you for reminding me of the importance of putting yourself out there.
So glad to hear that!
I can completely relate. I only started "putting myself out there" 3 months ago. I had to be coerced into it. Now, I'm constantly doing just that, but I still struggle with the self-doubt. The truth is that I'm much happier doing it than not doing it.
I’m a musician in Nashville. I write and record everything myself in like a Jack white style. I also just write my first novel! And boy… the amount of criticism I get on “spreading myself too thin” because I like to learn and do it all is crazy. I appreciate the video helping me confirm my thoughts and tune out the lazy folk.
You’re the man.
Go watch my David Lynch episode! th-cam.com/video/qZ3TWD7GYx0/w-d-xo.html Its all about this!
So much wisdom in these types of videos! I think the Imposter Syndrome is another thing that we all suffer from.
Josh, your positivity is contagious. Thanks for stretching out, and doing your book reviews.
Love these videos delving into creativity from a philosophical level. Very helpful. Thanks Josh.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Lessons 3 and (especially) 4 made me wonder... have you ever heard of (or participated in) February Album Writing Month (FAWM)? I think these (and similar) principles are hardwired into that challenge and community. And it's still early February... I'm sure you could get a few (dozen) songs in!
Thank you, Josh 💫
This also applies to those creatives stuck in day jobs they may not really want. As you move through your job(s), always look for opportunities to develop skills that you can use in your creative work and ultimately help your artistic career.
and also find a way to make it work for your process. I have a job I have to work to pay the bills, but it’s appreciated on days that I don’t physically feel like creating the art//have some kind of mental block to work through.
I'm glad you made that connection!
Practice in public - thanks, Scott! This one’s hard for many of us to execute. Putting myself out there made all the difference in how I view my work. 👍🏻
Excellent!
Thank you so much
I've been struggling with this for years, and a few weeks ago I started getting back on my feet again.
Glad to hear you're back on track!
I couldn't stop listening to you very strong points 💪 thanks
hey Josh love your stuff . I can really clearly remember One evening as I was leaving my Local Library at closing time. I had been studying reference books .. which were not for borrowing & so could only be read at Tables in the Library. As I walked home I had this moment of realisation which filled me with pure Joy . All of the things that I was interested in were an inexhaustible source of constant discovery . It would be impossible to ever Know everything .. & so my whole life was going to be a constant process of wonder & discovery . The world of Nature & science . Art . Music. Reading & writing. History etc . I was so happy to think that my life was going to be one of constantly learning & discovering new things I had not known yet . I have never once felt " oh it's all too much .. I give up Lol" Knowing ( to paraphrase Socrates ) I know that I know Nothing .. lol .. This would have been in the 1960's .. B4 the internet etc . & I am still daily delighted by new discoveries I hear about. Or simply looking closely at trees & clouds . Walking in the Forest. The funny thing is I have often been described by other people as a " bit of a know it all " & even " Big headed " ?? lol when in fact I am constantly reminded that not only have I forgotten all the latin names of the common British Birds & mammals ( that I once knew ) . But I don't care . I can now look it up again . My only slight disappointment is knowing I will not live for hundreds of years ..lol & have more time to discover more cool stuff . From an old Man who is still learning & delighted to find out something new about the Universe & new music & Art . Bye for now from Ye olde Man in the Forest. Knowledge is for sharing. . It always makes me feel surprised at people who claim to be Bored . Bye & thankyou . you are inspiring.
I love your comment. I watch people in my job chase promotions and money in an effort to get stuff. I have no interest in that.
There is a wealth of information to be had - that can be found in $5 used books. The covers may be torn - or the pages marked - but the wisdom is not diminished.
Each new idea alters the lens through which we view life. From one aspiring know-it-all to another - respect, sir.
The 'Acquire More Skills' section spoke to me. It's amazing how lessons from one skill can inform another. I became interested in economics a few years ago.
I realized that economics can be applied to everything - because it is not just about money. It is - in simple terms - "the study of the allocation of scarce resources which have alternative uses" (Thomas Sowell).
Everything in our lives can be viewed through that lens. Money, attention-span, physical effort, time, etc. are all in limited supply - so we must be careful about how we allocate them.
A passing interest in economics changed how I live...and subsequently, how I create and mix music. Sparse, well composed music can be every bit as impactful as huge dense mixes.
Excellent video!! Thanks for sharing this, Josh. Very thought-provoking.
...Also, totally dug the Lego metaphor: going to use that as internal justification next time I decide to randomly try learning a new instrument. 😆
Fantastic!
If I could go back in time and give this advice to the younger me,.. oh man, I really needed to hear this back then. It helps so much to hear it now, Thank you, Josh.
You are so welcome
As a fellow gear builder, I really felt number 3. There’s a real push to be “original” but I’ve come to embrace being inspired by.
I'm glad you resonated with that point!
Hey Josh. I'm really happy that you are making this series of videos. Reading has helped me thru accepting my new reality after I busted my hearing about two years ago (tinnitus and hyperacusis) thought I'm carefully trying to get back into making music. Last month for instance I read 5 books, two of which were non-fiction you recommended on this channel. This month however, I'm having a hard time keeping the momentum and I feel I'm probably getting in a reading slump. I know there's already many comments, but I would be interested in knowing how you would deal with this situation.
Thanks for the inspiration and keep those videos coming. :)
I'm loving this series!
Thanks, Josh! These suggestions are a wonderful mix of validation that I'm doing things right, and reminders of habits I need to shift around my artistic pursuits.
You're so welcome!
Another brilliant take! I wish I'd heard those things years ago! It's pure wisdom and I can't believe I'm only now realising how the concept alone of "being an artist" has been a jail for me and so many around me. Either by committing to one genre/medium/instrument, or having massive imposter syndrome because you're not poor/struggling enough, or creating mediocre art just for the sake of being original and because you think you've found "your" schtick. Please keep this channel alive. I don't know much about photography but I think there would be a lot to cover starting with the composition. It resonates with design (pedals, instruments, amps, even gig posters, or instagram posts...) All those things us musicians have had to learn (or have been struggling with) over the years. Anyway. Thanks Josh!
Thanks Josh. Even those who know these truths need to hear it come from someone else sometimes.
Thank you for posting this
The fourth point is the wisest, because the way you view your creation changes the instant other people hear it.
Appreciate these words so much
Music, backpacking, cooking, philosophy
thx! i think im gonna rewatch this a couple of times
Thank you so much for this, Josh!
Another amazing video, Josh. I really needed these pieces of advice. About point number 5, what is really helping me keep the creative juice flowing is learning drums being a guitarist, because it was a necessary step for me to record some songs. I'm learning according to my needs, so it's being pretty active and mentally stimulating to me. Also, not only playing drums is pretty fun, but exploring new musical stuff is also great. I used to think, for example, "wow, playing drums must be so fun. Well, I'm a guitarist, so I probably won't be able to do that", and, surprise surprise, I can do that too. And the more I play, the better I get. It's so simple and obvious but sometimes we just forget about this and let our self judgement overtake our mind that just want to express ourselves or simply have fun.
loving this turn to "Self-Help" content ... just absolutely fantastic advice in all of them -- lots of stuff I wish somebody told me when I was still 16!
Well, I feel like he unlocked something. Thanks Josh!
Jeff has been a good friend for a while now. He actually lives this out. Sincerity.
BTW, Jeff plays guitar too.
This is my new favorite channel.
Thank you again for the positive, factual video. I appreciate your sharing this with people that need to hear it for the first time or hear it again.
I love the channel, and thank you for the great book recommendation.😊
i thought of the cs lewis quote as soon as you started on the topic - so good - thanks for sharing!
Thanks, C.S. Lewis is a classic!
I love this quote:
I’m unique, just like everyone else.. so true.
I'm enjoying these videos so much - not only for the book recommendations but for your insights.
thank you joshua, this is the video i needed to start releasing music ive been making since 5 years.
Josh, this was very insightful and thought-provoking. I have been enjoying your videos both here and on the JHS channel. Keep it up!
I appreciate that, thanks for watching!
Just speaking in general terms regarding creativity is refreshing in and of itself. I’m a guitar guy mostly, but it’s nice to discuss related things instead of the standard lessons and gear demos. It speaks to a larger world which in turn feels much more expansive.
Love this channel, thanks!
Glad you’re enjoying it!
When my daughter, was picking her major and minor courses for university. With art being a big part of her life. The only advice I gave her from being a creative myself, was to "have a good job to keep your art going". She says it was the best advice I ever gave her.
I'm glad you're able to share that with her!
I really appreciate watching you as a business owner having retired a couple years ago from running a private EMS company. My partner and I read extensively to get new ideas into our heads both to grow the company but also, ourselves. I am a bit pissed that my sale team never found your company as not only did my business focus on circuit board assembly, I'm a pedal junkie.
Glad to hear you're enjoying the channel!
Truly inspirational
I agree with others on here, that I like this direction your channel has taken. This video and your video, "Art Is Wasteful" have been HUGELY helpful for me! Thank you for releasing these!
I'm glad you're finding the videos helpful!
Thanks a lot josh!
thank you for these videos
I'm glad you found them helpful!
Thanks so much for sharing, Josh.
You are very welcome!
Thanks for another great video, Josh! 🙏
My pleasure!
It's so interesting to me, as a guy over 50 who's been able to keep creativity a central point in my life into my 50s that the more you learn about living a creative life, the more you let go and trust the process. When I was living in NY and busting my ass to make something happen with music I was such a basket case. I wanted it so bad and I worked so many years and after I let that go and moved on to other pursuits, I realized that holding on so hard was a huge part of the burnout I ultimately experienced. But that hasn't stopped me from doing the same thing in the 20+ years since. The only difference is I was able to recognize it sooner.
My next big leap was going to grad school and getting an MFA in fiction wiriting. I got there of 50 pages of a book that I spent the next 8 years finishing. Writing is so much more a solitary pursuit than music (or TH-cam) and I eventually learned to appreciate the process more than the outcome. Being an artist is a way of life. We're taught from an early age that you have to train and get a job and when people try to think about that transaction as it relates to art, they lose touch with what drew them there. Some people need it in their lives whether it makes them rich or they never make a dime, but they perseverate over that part of it so much it bleaches the joy out of it.
Me. I'm talking about me. Don't be me.
Thanks for these videos. I've been making TH-cam videos for a long time and making a living on it for a while, but I find I'm often making videos that don't touch the artist part of me. I long for the conversation about art and artists, but I don't make those videos because it's not in my "niche." Ugh.
Thanks for sharing this. I’m on my 60’s and finally let go of the niche thing. That isn’t nearly as relevant or necessary as it used to be. Happy pursuits!
Great, thanks for sharing. Devouring the Seth Godin one, amazing.
On point as always!
Glad you like it!
I’m really digging this channel, Mr. Scott. Thank you!
Thanks for watching!
@ you’re welcome. Really appreciate what you share with us.
Danke! ❤ More power to being YOURSELF!!
Thanks, it helps.
Josh, seriously, this is outstanding!
Point for point, down to the extremely detailed comments you made, are all things I not only agree with, but have personally essentially used as my inner perspective towards my songwriting (my primary artform).
Everything you touched on - not being found...
I literally hid away in plain sight for decades, and over the previous year, recorded and released my debut solo album (Cloudburst - Dream Awake).
That also touches on the point of finishing your product and putting it out
As to originality, EXACTLY - just honestly express yourself, and regardless of your influences shining through, you will by the very nature of NOT TRYING, will open the door to you just being yourself, which is inherently original in its own way.
My album opens with a song that has a sort of dramatic hit of a guitar chord. I didn't write it meaning to reference A Hard Day's Night, but I kept it, because it was true to the song I wrote, regardless of accidentally referencing a huge influence (though being an entirely different chord)
Perfection... Are you kidding? Somewhere along the way, possibly because of a specific friend I had 😉, I embrace my slightly sloppy guitar playing.
Of course I TRY to put my best fingers forward, but sometimes spaghetti-fingers happen, and so it goes - I say LEAN INTO IT.
I could be misattributing this, but I think Monk once said something like "mistakes? There are no mistakes. Play the note once, you call it a mistake, play it again and again, suddenly it's jazz"
The point being to not be hung up on what is "correct" and learn to appreciate playing what FEELS and SOUNDS good to you.
For young artists and old, we all are on a path - one with growth if you choose and pursue that.
For me, I hid away, but I didn't get distracted nor downgrade my art, I kept at it, and continue to grow to this day.
I think any artist paying any attention, and doing it "for real" can't HELP but grow in the process.
Oh, and even if you suck at the business side, try to get paid for the work you do. We dig to the soul, so it's worth something, despite what we're often made to feel by some who maybe aren't creative in those ways, and don't get what it takes to do what we do
Thank you, Josh. I needed to hear some of this.
Glad I could help!
These videos have been so inspiring, Josh! Thank you❤
Glad you like them!
Thank you so much for these videos, they are helping me tremendously!
I'm so glad!
Definitely a balance is needed. It's crucial to maintain originality while knowing where your roots come from and knowing what you're trying to project. Originality shouldn't be something we try to do but it should be just something we are. Absolutely embrace that you have influences and that that's part of your sound.
These "Joshualosophy" episodes are an unexpected bonus. They're penetratively insightful and cosmically delightful.
Amazing amount of truth! Great stuff.Will have a think whether I can come up with an idea.
These last few videos have been great, Josh! Beyond just reinforcing some of my own thoughts on the topics of creativity, like you experienced yourself with the book, it also helped me take comfort in the idea that other creatives have similar things on their mind, from the commercial viability of art to a multidisciplinary approach to creative endeavours etc. It's giving me a feeling of belonging, somehow.
Glad to hear it!
Your videos are such a wonderful resource to surround myself with ENERGY and to use as springboards for my creative thought process.
Thanks for taking time to share some of your experience with us.
You are so welcome!
Thanks for sharing this, Josh
My pleasure!
this is really great, needed to hear it. thanks!
You’re welcome!
You give me Deep Thoughts ! Thank you very Much !
Thanks for listening
thx dude love these really helps with just the day to day. These are relatable to everyday life and my job. I have implemented a lot of your thoughts and ideas into my leadership discussions and it's really resonating with my team.
Glad it's helping!
Good afternoon Josh, great point about always learning and never let yourself believe you're done evolving... Perfection is a myth, especially for humans. Appreciate your unique imperfections. Practice makes better, never perfect. Thank you for the encouragement.
I'm glad you found it encouraging!
There are SO many revelations here for me. Practising in Public is huge for me. I hide my craft constantly until it's "ready". Which might be never if it's up to me! And I know it's perfectionism, which is nothing but a crippling lie.
Maravilloso!!!
Thanks Josh!
You bet!
I have found your last few videos very inspiring. Keep it up.
Thank you! Will do!
All the greatest artists in history, in any pursuit, took from those that came before, even if it was simply just inspiration.
I would also like say that something you've made not being well received or criticized will sting, but it will never hurt as much as no one ever experiencing what you create and poured all/most of your passion and life into.
You've done it again Josh! Thanks!
I wish I had this book in my 20s when I was literally a starving artist, haha
Glad it resonated with you!