Experiment In The Box

The Box

We’ve all heard the saying “Think outside the box”. This assumes that the box is well defined and can’t be changed. You can only work within the box or have to think outside the box to make something new. It’s easy to say to think outside the box but how much do we really know about the box? Are we assuming things about the box? For example, as a musician, there are certain genres of music that are pretty well defined and if you work within those boxes, you’re not really trying to make something new. But I hardly deviate from the box completely to create something never heard before because I am somewhat experiencing in the box.

Embrace Limitations

For example, if I am making a rock song, there is a pretty well defined box filled with distortion guitars, loud drums and heavy bass. That is the box I have and I could say I’m limited to the box. If I stay within the box, commit to my limitations of instruments and sounds, there is still plenty of room to experiment with that box. Before I seek out something outside the box, I want to see how far I can push the boundaries within the box. If we are constantly thinking outside the box but not considering the tools right in front of us, then this may cause us to continually seeking new tools without mastering the current tools.

Conclusion

The box may not be as defined as one might think. Push the boundaries in the box. This means using the tools that you have access too and discover as many techniques, sounds, colors, visuals as you can. You may surprise yourself what innovative things can arise from experimenting in the box.