5 Shocking Ways Your Favorite Music Influences You As An Artist

Music, in its myriad forms, is a universal language that speaks to the soul. It has the power to evoke emotions, trigger memories, and inspire creativity. As an artist, the music you love doesn’t just entertain you; it weaves into your creative fabric, influencing your artistic output in profound, sometimes surprising, ways. Let’s explore five shocking ways your favorite tunes shape you as an artist.

5. You Develop a Liking for Certain Scales and Chord Progressions

The scales and chord progressions in your favorite songs become the lens through which you view musical beauty. This preference isn’t merely academic; it influences the music you create. For instance, if you’re drawn to the melancholic mood of minor scales in the ballads you adore, you’re more likely to use similar scales in your compositions. This affinity shapes your “musical signature” and can make certain harmonies and melodies feel more intuitive to you than others.

4. Your Definition of ‘Good Music’ Is Defined by Your Most Replayed Songs

The tracks on repeat mode in your playlist do more than provide a background score to your life; they mold your criteria for what constitutes “good music.” This standard becomes your yardstick, consciously or subconsciously, for evaluating not just what you listen to but what you create. If your playlist is heavy on lyrical depth, for example, you may find yourself prioritizing meaningful lyrics in your work. This influence can also extend to production quality, song structure, and even vocal style, shaping your artistic preferences and biases.

3. The Topics You Write About Tend to Morph into Cousins of Your Favorite Songs

Lyrically, your work may start mirroring the themes and narratives of the songs you love. If you’re constantly listening to songs about heartbreak, resilience, or adventure, don’t be surprised to find these themes cropping up in your own music. This phenomenon isn’t just about imitation; it’s about the thematic influences that resonate with you emotionally and intellectually, finding their way into your creative expression.

2. You May Think Certain Instruments Are Hot While They’re Out of Style

Your musical tastes can lead you to favor instruments that are either classic or completely out of vogue. If the sultry saxophone solos of 80s pop or the aggressive synthesizers of early 2000s dance music captivate you, these sounds might prominently feature in your music—even if they’re not the current trend. This aspect of influence underscores how your favorite music can make you a trendsetter or an adherent to styles that hold a special place in your heart, regardless of their popularity.

1. You Become Very Connected to One Niche and Disconnected from the Rest of the Market

Perhaps the most striking effect of your musical preferences is how they can tunnel your focus into a specific genre or niche, sometimes at the expense of broader market trends. While this can foster deep expertise and authenticity in your chosen style, it might also insulate you from the diverse influences and crossover opportunities present in the wider music landscape. This focused approach can make your work highly resonant with a specific audience but may require extra effort to stay relevant across the evolving music industry.

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