Ancient stone carving over four thousand years old of an early guitar type instrument.
It seem that the guitar is perhaps the most natural of all instruments for creativity in music. Why is the guitar such a viable avenue for the creative musician, could there be some special hidden factors in the very nature of guitar other than it is portable and easily available to almost everyone. Could it be there are things about the guitar and its heritage/origin and the essence of string instruments in general that inspire creativity... or perhaps even draw those playing it deeper into the creative area of the human mind. How many people really know much about the guitar? On other pages of this site I have alluded to and defined the history of guitar and the string family in general, as well as presented pictures of ancient guitar type instruments that have been around for thousands of years. Could it be that this ancient heritage is in some way compelling us to explore the guitar and creativity; I believe so.
The guitar, is the decedent of the ancient family of string instruments known as simply the Tar. It is in fact the Tar family of instruments that all other string instruments are derived from. What is important to note is that these early guitar type instruments were present in the area that we now call "The Cradle Of Civilization", and by some accounts (from at least a biblical perspective) was where perhaps the "Garden Of Eden" was. In this concept may lie the hidden answer to the tremendous popularity and almost compelling draw of the guitar... as well as an explanation for the guitars inspiration in the hands of the creative musician.
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Creativity
Every new born child comes into this world as a fully creative individual. Each of us has all the potential to develop and express some of the most magnificent art, ideas... or new inventions that perhaps could change the world or save humanity. The only problem is that shortly after birth society and general education puts a stop to these capabilities by conforming the child to conventions of what it considers normal thinking creating blocks to that pure inspiration and creative spark that exists in early life. Each generation seems to superimpose upon the new ones coming in a variety of ways to restrict and limit their thoughts and ideas. It is as if there were a set of laws, or regulations... sort of like those we have in place with the operating of a motor vehicle. As the child develops he or she is reprogrammed away from the natural order of things, to an order to deny ourselves and our desire to freely express. I keep thinking that somewhere in the majority of adults there is a deep resentment of having this same thing done to them, but instead of recognizing the problem and attempting to correct it they just keep repeating the pattern generation to generation. It is only occasionally that someone breaks through the wall of the box we put them in and we receive a gift of their genius... a true "break through", perhaps this is where this expression comes from.
When are we going to learn not to stifle that creative spark we are all born with. The world around us is full of the results of those creative sparks with all the inventions and art we do have and enjoy. Just imagine (that is if you can imagine... if you are not so locked up in the box that you cannot) what kind of a wonderful world we would have if more creativity existed, even just a little more might solve all our dilemmas, cure all illness, solve world hunger, stop the desire for wars, create happiness for everyone... even save this earth. We must return our natural creativity to ourselves as a species before it is too late.
Craig Smith
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Click On Image Above For "The Age Of Creativity"
Copyright 2006 by Craig Smith All rights reserved.
