I think acquiring knowledge often does not help us create…but rather, it helps us appreciate what has been created.

I think in a lot of ways life is like playing with a musician who kind of plays whatever they want, sometimes in tune, sometimes deaf. The best we can do is maybe to frame it with the right bass notes and hope for the best. Or maybe call it experimental and embrace the atonality.

Taking a shortcut is a somewhat-fast way to realize that there are no shortcuts, really.

Writing forgettable melodies and uninspired material is a necessary part of the path to find the gems along the way... if we are lucky.

Everyday we have plenty of reasons to do or not to do something so I guess it just boils down to our choice.

One of the most important lessons I learned this year is not to always throw out something just because it has some flaws and is not perfect, and not to keep something just because it is seemingly perfect, because that "perfect" meter really isn't so perfect after all.

Getting out of our comfort zone is great, but what happens when one gets so used to that feeling that there is comfort within discomfort and discomfort within comfort? Or is this a useless thought.

The likelihood of achieving true proficiency at something increases as our margin of diminishing returns intensifies over time. It's important to recognize this, show up everyday, and be patient.

Sometimes wanting something is actually better than having it. On top of that, knowing why we want it can actually change us.

"Every work of art causes the receiver to enter into a certain kind of relationship both with him who produced, or is producing, the art, and with all those who, simultaneously, previously, or subsequently, receive the same artistic impression." -Leo Tolstoy

Obsession and persistence, however quiet, eventually leads to a breakthrough (especially when you least expect it).

"Don't bend; don't water it down; don't try to make it logical; don't edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly." -- Franz Kafka

Sometimes working a bit more to be able to knock some pressing items off your to-do list is a more valuable way of relaxation than pure rest. Or maybe it's just a form of justification for not adhering to a healthy sleep schedule...

"Time is still the best critic, and patience the best teacher." - Frédéric Chopin

Timing is everything in music, as it is in comedy, theatre, and film. The subtle metric differences between good and bad timing shouldn't be analyzed, however. Instead, the driving force of expression behind it all should be re-examined for answers.

Sometimes progressing forward involves taking a step back and rediscovering something that you missed before.

Having the most perfect pitch or "perfect ears" won't necessarily help you write the most beautiful melody, just like how having perfect knowledge of all vocabulary and grammar won't necessarily help you write a line of poetry.

A break of trust activates a permanent filter over everything someone does or has done. Over time it becomes a look onto itself.

We only need two pedals to ride a bike.