Podcast Summary
Insights from a Successful Artistic Career by Samuel Andreev: Start small, learn the hierarchy in western music, value genres, understand music-language relationship, learn composition, have family support, and adapt to diverse audiences.
The multifaceted nature of a successful artistic career, as exemplified by Canadian composer Samuel Andreev. Andreev, who has made a name for himself in Europe through his compositions for various ensembles and his teaching roles, shares insights into the skills required to thrive in the arts industry. He discusses the importance of starting small, learning the hierarchy in western music, and the value of genres. Andreev also touches on the relationship between music and language, offering tips on learning composition, and the benefits of having a family to support a career. His YouTube channel, The Samuel Andreev Podcast, serves as a platform to present analyses of works, making complex music more accessible to both beginners and professionals. Andreev's story demonstrates that a successful artistic career involves juggling various activities and adapting to diverse audiences.
Exploring the Power of YouTube for Music Theory Education: One individual transformed his music theory courses into YouTube videos, surprising himself with the large viewership, and filled a void in the platform by offering longer, less scripted, and visually engaging content.
The internet provides a vast and unprecedented platform for sharing knowledge and expertise with a global audience. This was realized by one individual who, after years of producing specialized courses, recognized the limited reach and decided to try a new approach. He began recording and uploading lectures on YouTube, and was surprised by the large viewership. Despite the unpredictability of video popularity, he continued to create content based on his obsession with the topic, leading to a growing audience. With few others doing the same, he filled a void in the music theory content on YouTube, offering longer, less scripted, and more visually interesting videos. However, there remains a perception among some composers that YouTube can be a hostile environment, leading to reluctance in sharing their expertise publicly.
Embracing change and adapting to new environments: Successful artists adapt, challenge themselves, and embrace change to grow personally and professionally.
Being a successful artist requires more than just artistic talent or technical proficiency. It necessitates an unusual combination of skills and the ability to adapt to new environments. Creativity and openness are essential for artists, but sustaining a career is challenging, and artists often have to leave their comfort zones to grow. I moved from Canada to France at a young age to broaden my musical horizons and force myself to adapt to a new culture. This experience led to significant personal and professional growth, including the acquisition of new skills and the development of a new musical perspective. Ultimately, the willingness to embrace change and challenge oneself is crucial for artists seeking to transform their personalities and create for public benefit.
Maintaining creativity and productivity through routine: Establishing predictable routines and creating islands of consistency can help artists maintain creativity and productivity, even in the midst of change. Dedicated time for composing and finding ways to earn a living can enrich the creative process and provide a solid foundation for growth.
Establishing predictable routines and creating islands of consistency in the midst of change is crucial for maintaining creativity and productivity as an artist. A favorite coffee shop or similar routine can provide a sense of stability and enable focus. Creativity and constant freedom can be romanticized, but even the most creative individuals need routine to stay sane. For composers, this might mean setting aside dedicated time each day for composing, typically around three hours, to ensure maximum focus and productivity. Beyond this, it's essential to find ways to earn a living, such as teaching, which can also enrich the creative process. Engaging in creative activities outside of composing, like teaching and problem-solving with students, can lead to new ideas and inspiration. Additionally, learning the fundamentals of composition, such as harmonizing parral melodies, can provide a solid foundation for growth and development.
Linking ears, eyes, and fingers to enhance composing skills: Analyzing and harmonizing melodies helps composers see, hear, and play music simultaneously, developing a sense of musical trajectory and cohesiveness, while unpredictability can add intrigue and cohesiveness through clear expressive context or framework.
Analyzing and harmonizing melodies can significantly enhance a composer's skills by linking up their ears, eyes, and fingers, allowing them to see, hear, and play the music simultaneously. This process also helps in developing a sense of trajectory in music, which is crucial for composing songs with direction and cohesiveness. Additionally, unpredictability can add intrigue and cohesiveness to a song, even if it consists of fragments, as long as there is a clear expressive context or framework to tie the pieces together. The Beatles' "A Day in the Life" and "Abbey Road" B side are great examples of this approach, demonstrating how low predictability can be a feature that engages listeners and leaves them wanting more.
Navigating Uncertainty: Our Response to the Unexpected: Our responses to the unexpected are shaped by neuroticism, social hierarchies, and personal experiences. The ability to adapt to uncertainty is a valuable skill.
The more unpredictable an element is in our lives, whether it's a physical symptom or a musical genre, the more disruptive it can be when it manifests. Our nervous systems and personal experiences shape how we respond to unexpected events, with some people being more calibrated to handle uncertainty than others. Neuroticism, our position in social hierarchies, and even the genres we listen to can influence our reactions to the unexpected. The rules and limitations within genres actually increase the range of possible creative expressions rather than limiting them. Ultimately, the ability to navigate uncertainty and adapt to the unexpected is a crucial skill in various aspects of life.
Constraints as the foundation of creativity: Constraints provide structure and expectations, enabling deeper connections and understanding of art, while also fostering diversity and individual expression
Constraints in art, such as routine, discipline, genres, and even personal style, are not enemies but rather essential elements that shape and give meaning to creative expression. While it may seem limiting, these constraints actually provide structure and expectations that help artists and listeners connect and understand the work. The evolution of music and art over time, particularly in the modern era, has led to a greater emphasis on individual expression and the building of context into the work itself, placing greater demands on the listener. However, this challenge also allows for a more diverse and varied artistic landscape, catering to different tastes and experiences. In essence, constraints serve as the foundation upon which creativity and meaning can be built.
The dissolution of a homogeneous classical music audience: In the 20th century, classical music audiences fragmented, leading composers to cater to diverse tastes and find new ways to reach broader audiences.
The concept of a cohesive, homogeneous audience for classical music dissolved in the 20th century, leading to the rise of numerous sub-audiences with diverse tastes. This expansion of musical genres was a result of the dramatic increase in music reproduction means. For composers, finding an audience that appreciates their work can be challenging, as they must balance writing for a niche audience versus creating music with broad appeal. However, there is an audience for contemporary classical music, though it's not as wide as the audience for popular music. To reach a broader audience, composers can remove barriers to understanding and appreciation, making their work accessible to more people. In essence, musicians, like visual artists, have the power to teach us how to hear and perceive music in new ways. Music embodies various components, including entertainment, emotion, science, and religion, and different artists may focus on one or more of these dimensions.
Music's profound experiences: Music transcends intellectual understanding, offering sensory and spiritual connections that expand our range of experiences and foster communal connections.
Powerful musical works, regardless of genre, have the ability to articulate a complex worldview and offer profound experiences that move us beyond the intellectual and into the sensory and spiritual realms. These experiences can be communal, connecting us with others and something greater than ourselves. Music's immediate seduction and ability to evoke direct experiences make it an important aspect of our lives, providing depth, color, and a glimpse of the infinite possibilities for exploration. The devotion of artists to their craft expands our range of potential experiences and allows us to connect with something higher, a religious function that is intrinsically rewarding and communal in nature.
The importance of live communal musical experiences: Live musical experiences foster identity and group cohesion, broaden musical horizons, but require an open attitude towards new music.
Live communal musical experiences play a crucial role in identity formation and group cohesion. Musicians and music lovers alike value these experiences, which cannot be fully replicated online. Our attachment to specific genres and musical periods is a reflection of our group nature, and broadening our musical horizons can lead to a deeper appreciation of the art form. However, the strong identification with particular genres can be a hard wall to break through, and it takes an open and curious attitude towards new music to expand one's musical palette. COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of these experiences and the irreplaceable role they play in our lives.
Emphasizing context and connection in unfamiliar music: Understanding the historical context and connections to related art forms can enhance the appreciation of unfamiliar music. Humility and practical skills are crucial for composers. YouTube provides opportunities to reach larger audiences and discuss complex ideas.
Providing context and connection can greatly enhance the understanding and appreciation of unfamiliar music or ideas. This was emphasized in the discussion about the effectiveness of bridging unfamiliar repertoire with related art forms or historical context. The speaker also highlighted the importance of humility and practical skills for those pursuing a career in composition, as it is a challenging field with a high likelihood of failure. Additionally, the accessibility of platforms like YouTube has opened up opportunities to reach larger audiences and discuss complex philosophical ideas, revealing a larger market for such content than one might initially imagine. Overall, the conversation underscored the value of context, connection, and practicality in the realm of music and art.
Artists must take charge of their own platforms and communication: Embrace sales and marketing as essential parts of being a composer, find mentors, and seek practical, hands-on learning opportunities.
In today's world, artists, particularly composers, need to take charge of their own platforms and means of communication. Relying on traditional institutional structures, such as state funding or publishing companies, is increasingly uncertain and may not effectively reach audiences. Instead, artists must embrace sales and marketing efforts as an essential part of their craft, rather than a sell-out. Communication is key to making art known and appreciated, as audiences are easily overwhelmed with choices and distractions. Furthermore, the speaker suggests rethinking the role of universities in composition education. Composition is not primarily an academic pursuit, and reframing it as research may diminish its value by making it inaccessible to audiences. Instead, the speaker advocates for a more practical, hands-on approach to learning composition, emphasizing the importance of finding mentors and learning the business aspects of being a composer. In summary, artists must take charge of their own platforms and communication, embrace sales and marketing, and seek out practical, hands-on learning opportunities to succeed in today's creative landscape.
Building a stable support system for a creative career: Prioritize stability and order for a foundation to creative exploration and risk-taking. Seek mentors for guidance and recognize the importance of personal relationships and daily routines for a long and fulfilling career.
Building a stable support system is crucial for a successful and sustainable creative career. This can include family, friends, mentors, and daily routines. While the romanticized notion of the struggling artist may be appealing, it is often unrealistic and potentially harmful. Instead, prioritizing stability and order in one's personal life can provide the necessary foundation for creative exploration and risk-taking. Additionally, recognizing the importance of mentors and seeking out their guidance can be invaluable in navigating the challenges of the creative profession. Ultimately, embracing a balanced approach to life and work can lead to a long and fulfilling career. It's important to note that the idea of the suffering artist is a myth perpetuated by romantic notions of creativity. In reality, many successful artists have thrived with the support and stability provided by their personal relationships and daily routines. This is especially important in today's world where life expectancy is much higher than it was in past centuries, making it essential to prioritize long-term health and well-being.
Balancing Artistic Pursuits and Life Stability: Artists and composers need to manage their time effectively, set goals, and understand the economics of their craft to balance artistic pursuits and life stability.
Artists and composers, much like Van Gogh and other historical figures, would have preferred stable lives over the struggles and tragic circumstances often associated with their craft. However, the temptation to live a dissolute lifestyle and pass it off as artistic engagement can last long into one's twenties. Additionally, time management is crucial, and having concrete goals and productivity targets can help artists and composers balance their work and financial needs. The economics of creating art or music can be challenging, and understanding the balance between production, quality, and regeneration is essential. Ultimately, every artist and composer works differently, and finding a productive routine that suits one's style and pace is vital. Whether it's writing a novel, composing a piece, or creating a painting, consistency and dedication are key to success.
Practice consistently, let go of perfectionism, and use overproduce and cull strategy: Consistently practice, produce large quantities of work, edit and improve, and set proximal goals to master skills and overcome inhibitions.
Improving a skill, whether it's writing or composing, requires consistent practice and letting go of perfectionism. The act of writing or creating is separate from the editing process. It's essential to produce a large quantity of work and then cull the best parts. This strategy, known as overproduce and cull, allows individuals to overcome inhibitions and improve their skills. Additionally, setting proximal goals and mastering one's time are crucial for making progress and becoming a master at something. The exercise of writing for a set amount of time and then discarding the work can be a powerful tool for liberating creativity and developing discipline.
The Importance of a Consistent Work Routine for Artists: Consistent work routine is crucial for artistic growth, yet not often taught. Carve out even 15 minutes daily for creativity to make a difference.
Establishing a consistent work routine is just as essential for artists as learning technical skills like counterpoint. It may seem simple, but carving out even 15 minutes a day for creative projects can make a significant difference. Unfortunately, these habits aren't typically taught in schools or conservatories. Without a solid work routine, artistic growth becomes a challenge. It was a pleasure speaking with Sam and Jordan about this important topic. Their insights highlight the importance of both the creative and practical aspects of being an artist.
