One of the biggest benefits of digital music. Now you don’t have to listen to that rubbish one on the album. Don’t be shy.

Delete tracks you don’t like

7 minutes well spent watching Julian Treasure at TED.

3 ways to listen better

Most famously know for 4’ 33’’ - silence.

Make art like John Cage

Having played the piano most of my life I only started composing when I started spontaneously dropping by the music practice rooms at UC Berkeley in the middle of the day. Without any music I was practically forced to start making things up. Every now and then it’s new and nice. You can listen to a few short piano pieces on youtube.

I strongly believe in this as advice, but it does presuppose years of copying and playing others’ music as well as the basics of music theory. Replicate, then innovate.

Want to compose? Just sit down without any music

It really is another language. One well worth learning.

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