Musicians own music because music owns them.
In Paris, you learn wit, in London you learn to crush your social rivals, and in Florence you learn poise.
Try a thing you haven't done three times. Once, to get over the fear of doing it. Twice, to learn how to do it. And a third time to figure out whether you like it or not.
You explain how it went, and as far as you can figure out how it got that way.
Verbal communication about music is impossible except among musicians.
The way to write American music is simple. All you have to do is be an American and then write any kind of music you wish.