John W. Gardner on Creativity and Musical Creation

Tuesday Quotes are short explorations of music, life, and the daily endeavor of practicing classical guitar. Find more here. Enjoy!

“The truly creative man is not an outlaw, but a lawmaker.”

John W. Gardner

In his excellent 1963 book Self-Renewal, former Secretary of Health John W. Gardner discusses creativity and the self-renewal process.

He suggested that creativity is more about order than chaos. This moves contrary to the beatnik philosophy of his day. He noted that creative people organize thoughts and the world in new and novel ways.

He also observed that many of the most creative people bring order and predictability in other parts of their lives. This allows them to spend their creative energies on their area of focus.

A “creative restraint” is a set of rules or boundaries that limit the number of wildcards in a pursuit. These limitations create more freedom than they remove. And with strategic boundaries, we’re able to direct our energy where we choose.

In an ongoing classical guitar practice, we also create these boundaries. We use creative restraints as a daily tool. This allows us the flexibility to explore deeper, rather than wider.

As creative restraints, we start with a composed piece of music. The notes are set on paper. We may also be given the fingerings and some expressive suggestions.

The act of playing a composed piece of music is a creative act. It is a partnership between composer and player. We, the players, are faced with the challenge of bringing to life that which the composer has outlined. And to meet this challenge we use many creative faculties.

We solve technical problems. We troubleshoot and root out stumbling blocks. We play our bodies as much as we do the guitar.

A piece of music is a structured container in which we may play and experiment. In doing so, we add our own laws and rules to those given us. We tighten the parameters on all sides through decisions and choices (techniques and movements used, volume, sound quality, etc.).

And having removed one variable we can then focus on the next. Then the next. As we slice away the unknown we reveal more subtle demands and opportunities for artistry.

Through this process, we are invited to ask new questions and explore new possibilities. Like levels of a game, we graduate to new inquiries and challenges. Or as Tom Sachs said, “The reward for good work is more work.”