I took a songwriting class a few years back, where the teacher obviously didn't want to be there....his thoughts were fragmented, there was no set plan, and sometimes in the middle of a "lecture", he would pause, tell everyone to take a five minute break and class would stop while he figured out what was coming next.Our teacher happened to be an amazing, well-known songwriter and I was excited to learn from his experience and wisdom. But his theory, as he explained to us, was that songwriting couldn't be taught, you either had it or you didn't. Not the most encouraging way to engage students, but certainly one way to look at artistry....I guess. :o This "mini" talk, has stuck with me ever since and is the perfect reflection of that class:
Being a songwriter is like a clock. You start at midnight with a great idea, and you are on fire with what you are writing. It feels like the best idea ever and you can't believe you came up with it. The clock hand shifts down closer to the 3, and you think, yeah, I've still got something worthwhile to work with. This could be really good. By 6 o'clock, you're second guessing why you ever wrote it in the first place, no one is going to want to hear it. By 9 o'clock, you doubt you will ever write anything ever again....be it good or awful.... Eventually you make it back to midnight.
Luckily that class was saved by several guest teachers who were passionate about people writing songs and sharing practical ways in which one can develop the "craft" of songwriting. One guy (another extremely well-known worship songwriter) said, "I hate that I'm only here one day. I know you all have songs and it would be amazing to hear them all."
What's the best/worst advice you've ever heard about something you are passionate about learning?