Ch Ch Ch Ch Changes

Yesterday I learned how to play the piano part to "Changes" by David Bowie. It's awesome and so much fun to play. 

Yet, as I admired its clever chord progression, I kept thinking how hard it is to create something that sounds different and good at the same time. 

I really want to compose beautiful music, but it's frustrating how everything seems to have been done. It's sad when you play your composition and someone says "wow, this song sounds like that song from x artist." Even though it's rewarding to be compared to professional artists or songs, it's also upsetting.

Has everything been done already? Is that why there are so many covers? 

Maybe this is why we are using electronic sounds, because then the options are infinite. Before, we already had a good menu of chords to chose, instruments to play, melodies, solo's...but now with electronic music there are numerous options. 

But, then why is it still hard to come up with something that at least sounds original?

It's impossible to deny our musical heritage and predisposition, because these influences come from our musical history, cultural factors, and the environment we grew up. For example, there is a long history to why we associate major chords with 'happy' and minor chords with 'sad.'

Maybe the answer is breaking the rules and conventions. Go against what's instinctive. Go against I IV V progressions. Reinvent music.

But, hey, hasn't that been done already?

Song dedicated to this post:

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