"When you're playing such brilliant music every day, then the last thing you ever want to do is try to write something of your own that's crude and not as good"

Performing brilliant music each day immerses a musician in an environment of exceptional artistry and refined technique. When someone regularly engages with such finely crafted pieces, whether as a performer or even as a listener, they’re consistently exposed to the heights of musical achievement, be it in terms of composition, emotional depth, or technical prowess. This kind of experience can be deeply inspiring, but it can simultaneously sow the seeds of self-doubt.

Hearing or playing masterful works sets a high benchmark. The mind naturally draws comparisons between these masterpieces and the initial, often unpolished, creative efforts that arise when one attempts to compose. There’s a vulnerability in creating something from scratch, particularly when that creation may appear “crude”, raw, unrefined, or lacking the sophisticated touch seen in world-renowned music.

Regina Spektor’s reflection speaks to the paralyzing effect this environment can have on creators. The daily proximity to brilliance makes aspiring to greatness feel not just desirable, but mandatory. Anything less seems almost unacceptable, which creates a psychological barrier to the creative process. There’s a fear of falling short, of tainting the palate shaped by exposure to excellence with a work that doesn’t measure up.

Yet, there's an irony at play. Many celebrated composers and songwriters started with humble beginnings; early attempts seldom reach the magnitude of their inspirations. Growth in creativity is not linear or immediate, and the “crude” stages are necessary stepping-stones. Judging one’s fledgling ideas too harshly can inhibit the experimentation and risk-taking that fuel originality. By acknowledging this internal struggle, the statement highlights both the reverence creators hold for great art and the daunting challenge of finding one’s own voice in its giant shadow. The journey from imitation and insecurity toward authentic self-expression is a universal creative tension.