Best Selling Music (Books)
The Creative Act: A Way of Being
In this groundbreaking book, Rollo May explores the creative process, arguing that it is not simply a matter of inspiration or talent, but a way of being in the world. May draws on his own experiences as a psychotherapist and artist to illuminate the creative process, and he offers insights into how we can all tap into our own creativity.
May begins by defining creativity as "the ability to bring something new into being." He argues that creativity is not limited to artists and musicians, but is a fundamental human capacity. We all have the ability to create, whether it is through writing, painting, music, or simply by finding new ways to solve problems.
May then goes on to explore the different stages of the creative process. He identifies four main stages: preparation, incubation, illumination, and verification. Preparation is the stage in which we gather information and ideas. Incubation is the stage in which we let our subconscious mind work on the problem. Illumination is the stage in which we have the sudden insight or breakthrough. And verification is the stage in which we test our new idea or solution.
May also discusses the challenges that creative people often face. These challenges include fear of failure, self-doubt, and the need for solitude. However, May argues that these challenges can also be opportunities for growth. By facing our fears and doubts, we can learn to trust our own creativity. And by spending time alone, we can create the space we need to let our creative ideas flow.
The Creative Act is a must-read for anyone who is interested in creativity. May's insights into the creative process are both profound and practical, and they can help us all to tap into our own creativity and bring something new into being.
Links to Best Selling Music (Books)
- The Creative Act: A Way of Being(paid link)
Other Books on Music
- This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession by Daniel J. Levitin
- Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain by Oliver Sacks
- The Rest Is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century by Alex Ross
- How Music Works by David Byrne
- The Song Machine: Inside the Hit Factory by John Seabrook