Creativity Digest

6th October 2024

What I’ve enjoyed this week:

• The latest episode of the DIY Musician Podcast is one of the most inspiring things I’ve heard in ages. It features the founder of Patreon, Jack Conte, who— besides running a big internet startup—also has a successful career in not one but two different bands. He talks enthusiastically about the joy of creating music, of collaborating, of being true to yourself, of meeting your audience where they are, but he also candidly discusses the difficulties of the business of being a musician, especially the impact of social media and how he manages it. I can't recommend it enough!

• Speaking of being true to oneself, David Barton’s candid and beautifully written post really spoke to me:

Reflections on a Simple Past | 07

• Dan Tepfer has just published sheet music for his amazing album Inventions / Reinventions, in which he performs all the Bach Inventions and improvises his own! It’s an inspiring album — he really is an astonishingly accomplished creative musician — and it’s great to actually be able to see his improvisational thought process.

Good news!

I was happy to read that Joy Morin’s Composition and Improvisation Prompts for Piano is now available in physical book form. Here’s my review:

Fresh inspiration for child creativity

What’s in my drafts folder

Here’s what’s coming up on PianoCreativity.com:

• Another Halloween-themed post

• Responses to several reader questions on:

  • how to work around teenage reluctance to get creative

  • the research behind why creativity is the best way to learn

  • what method to teach yourself to get creative

  • how to give teenagers the opportunity to share creativity ideas with one another

  • what notation apps to use in lessons

• A review of Musical Doodles by Paul Harris

• A guide to how to teach “Fresh Air” by Andrew Eales in a creative way

• A couple more clips from my interview with the fascinating Jeni Warder

How can I help?

I enjoy writing this site most when I know I’m being helpful, so please do let me know if there’s anything I can help you with. You can comment below or email me at hello@pianocreativity.com.

Thanks for reading and have an awesome Sunday!