Ockham and the Razors. New band name if you want it, but you’ve got to promise me a piece of all your future successes.
No? Oh well, I tried…
Occam’s Razor, named after 14th-century philosopher William of Ockham, is a principle that suggests that when we’re confronted by multiple explanations or options, the simplest one is often the best, the smartest, the most likely to be true, or what have you. Ockham is pronounced: AH-kumz RAY-zur. I’m unsure exactly how or when the spelling changed but thankfully, for our purposes, we don’t even have to know. No lesson in etymology happening here; we’ve got a mental model to dive into.
Initially developed for philosophical and scientific reasoning, Occam’s Razor is a tool that emphasizes cutting away the unnecessary assumptions about a situation to focus on core elements and truths. While not infallible (and thus not always the perfect answer), it’s a powerful mental model for simplifying decisions and solving problems—be they in science, life, or in our case, music. For musicians, it can often be utilized to finding clarity and ease in the creative process, our performance prep, and even in career choices that we make.
As with all of the concepts we’re exploring, this can be applied in innumerable ways and it’s ultimately up to you to decide precisely how and where to put it to use. Today we’re going take a look at seven simple examples of ways that it might be implemented, in the areas of: Practice Time, Gig Prep, Songwriting/Recording, Career, Improvising, Teaching, and Goal Tracking.
And go…
Strip Down Your Practice Routine
The problem: Feeling overwhelmed by too many exercises or techniques?
The solution: Instead of trying to master everything at once, focus on only one or two key skills or techniques each week.
For example…
• Drummers: Instead of juggling five rudiments, master a single one at various dynamic levels and tempos.
• Pianists: Focus on the fingering of only one challenging passage rather than trying to run the entire piece.
We all have limited practice time. This focused approach yields better results (far quicker) than spreading yourself too thin. Ask yourself: What’s the one thing I can work on today that will make the biggest difference?
Streamline Your Performance Prep
The problem: Over-complicating setlists, gear setups, or stage cues.
The solution: Keep it lean or, as you’ve certainly heard before, KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid).
• Use the gear you know best—don’t bring every effects, pedal, stick, or mic just because you can.
• Choose to perform only the songs that everyone knows best, minimizing stage stress and train wrecks.
• Simplify transitions between songs with clear cues. Don’t get too cute and fancy unless it’s all well-rehearsed.
Take these steps to reduce performance anxiety and allow your music to shine.
Less Is Often More When Songwriting, Arranging, and Recording
The problem: Over-layering tracks, adding too many flourishes, or cramming every idea into one song.
The solution: Use subtraction as a tool.
Some questions to ask yourself…
• Songwriters: Can I tell my story with fewer words or chords?
• Arrangers/Orchestrators: Does every instrument in this arrangement serve the song, or is there fluff that I can cut out?
As Leonard Bernstein said, “To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan, and not quite enough time.” But even with enough time, we can choose to do less. A simple, more minimalist approach to a song can often create clarity, power, even urgency—and can make your music all the more memorable.
Make Career Decisions Easier
The problem: How to use social media. Playing solo vs. with a band. Releasing a full album or individual tracks. On and on and on… Feeling paralyzed by too many choices or opportunities?
The solution: Use Occam’s Razor to filter your options.
• Gigs: Prioritize shows that align with your long-term goals over ones that may just pay a little more.
• Projects: Take on those that are clear, actionable, and energizing, rather than ambiguous and/or draining. Projects can be like this and so can people. You know who I’m talking about, don’t you? Choose wisely… for your sanity, your mental health, and your future.
Rather than pursuing every chance that comes your way, take the time to evaluate which ones will help you grow as a musician and build a sustainable career.
Simplicity Within Improvised Solos
The problem: Trying to do too much when improvising. Racing from Lick A to Lick B to Lick C, throwing everything plus the kitchen sink into your solo. It’s okay, we’ve all done it (I tell my own story about doing that in my first TEDx talk). But please, let’s stop it, shall we?
The solution: Stick to basic ideas and gradually expand them, getting far more mileage out of any given melodic or rhythmic phrase.
• Develop a single short motif instead of running scales ad nauseam. Stick with an idea and allow it to grow organically.
• Play with the phrasing and/or dynamics of one simple lick for a while before even considering moving on to the next idea.
Aim for depth over breadth. Great improvisers can create magic by doing less, not more. Soloing and improvising don’t have to mean playing everything you know. Rather than bombarding your audience with complexity, trust that simplicity can create a deeper connection.
Teach with Focus and Clarity
The problem: Overloading students with information and having them return confused about a lesson, or ill-prepared.
The solution: Focus on one key concept or takeaway per lesson.
For example…
• A drum teacher might spend an entire session focusing on ways that a student can get a clean, unrestricted rebound from the snare, rather than hitting that for five minutes and then rushing into teaching some new fills.
• A vocal coach might zero in on breath control only and hold off for the moment on addressing tone or dynamics.
Simplicity makes learning stick. Make sure that your students master what they’re working on (or, at the very least, show solid understanding of it) before moving on. This method not only helps students retain more but also makes your teaching more effective.
Build Simpler Systems for Success
The problem: Over-complicating how you track your goals or progress.
The solution: Use simple, repeatable systems.
• Keep a simple, succinct practice log (here’s one that I created) with three sections: What you worked on; What went well; and What needs improvement.
• For gigs, use a checklist of essentials—songs, gear, and travel details—to reduce stress.
• Find a quick and easy method that works well for you to track mileage to gigs, musical expenses incurred, and gig income. Then stick to it and use it. You will thank yourself come tax time every year.
Instead of juggling multiple systems or methods, keep your workflow simple and stick-to-it-able.
Cut Away the Unnecessary and Embrace Simplicity
Occam’s Razor teaches that complexity isn’t always better. In music, as well as in life in general, the simplest approach often creates the clearest path to success. By applying it to your music practice, performances, and career, you’re focusing on what truly matters. Stripping away that which is unnecessary allows you to focus on your craft, make better decisions, and ultimately make better music.
Do you have an area in your musical journey that you can stand to simplify today? Tell me below.
Happy music making–
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