The Power of the Why, What, How Framework for Musicians

T.L. Mazumdar Author

Sep 18, 2024 |

Learn to clarify your artistic purpose,

Introduction

The creative process is a dance between chaos and clarity.

We musicians thrive on that magical tension, but sometimes, the pull toward chaos can leave us lost in the very process we love.

Ideas swirl, passion flows, but often without a clear direction. 

And before you know it, we find ourselves stuck in a potentially frustrating loop of confusion.

That’s where the Why-What-How framework comes in—a simple, yet profound tool that can turn that chaos into a clear, purposeful journey. 

Keep reading.

The Why, What, How Framework: An Overview

At its core, the Why, What, How framework is about dividing your creative process into three distinct layers:

1. Why: The reason behind your work. What drives you to create? What’s the purpose behind this project?

2. What: The concrete tasks you want to accomplish and the outcomes you want to achieve. What exactly are you trying to create? What’s the finished product going to look like? What do you need to do?

3. How: The manner in which you adopt your steps and methods to bring your vision to life. Methodologies, techniques, tools, and processes.

It almost sounds too simple, right? 

But here’s the thing—simplicity in my experience, is exactly the key to solving complex problems. 

And once you apply this ridiculously simple framework to your musical projects, the clarity and direction it brings with it, could completely transform your work ethic.

The “Why” Drives Your Purpose

Let’s start with the “Why.”

Probably made most famous as a pop philosophy of sorts by entrepreneur Simon Sinek, his renowned TED talk was an eye-opener on how some of the world's most creative people started not by figuring out what to do and how to do them, but why they would want to in the first place.

It’s easy to skip this step in our haste to create. So many musicians overlook a fundamental truth the music-making process: without a clear understanding of why we’re doing what we are doing, we’re like a ship without a compass. 

And the “Why” is both that (the compass), and your anchor!

It gives you the clarity to get going in the right direction while grounding you in your intentions, even when the going gets tough.

Take, for instance, the quintessential musician-working-on-their-debut-album scenario.

Without a clear “Why,” they might find themselves chasing trends, trying to please everyone, or second-guessing their own artistic choices. 

Alternatively, when their “Why” is rooted in something more meaningful like a desire to share their unique voice, to tell their story, or to explore a particular theme they are passionate about, the entire process changes. 

Now, the music is bigger! 

And the clarity that comes as a natural bi-product this shift, guides their decisions towards a more authentic direction.

The “Why” becomes the proverbial North Star, illuminating the path ahead.

The “What” Brings Clarity to Your Vision

Once you’ve nailed down the “Why,” it’s time to focus on the “What.” 

This is where you define the outcome—what exactly it is that you’re actually trying to create. 

Is it a concept album? 

A series of singles? 

A film score? 

By clearly defining the “What,” you give shape to your project, turning abstract ideas into a tangible goal.

Imagine a band working on a new EP. Without a clear “What,” they might end up with a disjointed collection of songs that don’t quite fit together. But when they sit down and define the “What”—say, a five-track EP that explores a specific theme—they suddenly have a clear direction. 

Now they know what to do. 

The action plan, the specific steps to take to bring their vision to life.

Potential result? The songwriting becomes more focused, the production decisions more intentional, and the music more cohesive.

The “How” Creates a Roadmap for Action

Last but not the least, we come to the “How”—the nuts and bolts of making it happen. 

This is where the magic of the “Why” and “What” begins to take form in the real world. 

Now that the artist knows why they're creating the music they are, have an appropriate action-plan for it they can fine-tune 'how' they want to execute it! 

Live recordings? Overdubs? Get a producer? Go DIY?

That clear “How,” helps reduce the chance of overwhelm. 

By breaking down the scope of the entire project into manageable and specific steps, the overall awareness of the process is enhanced. The artist can move forward with an entirely different kind of confidence.

Real-World Applications: Clarity Through the Framework

Let’s explore a few situations where the Why, What, How framework can be a game-changer for musicians:

1. Overcoming Creative Block:

Creative block is something every musician faces at some point. It’s that frustrating moment when the ideas just won’t come, or when every idea feels wrong. By revisiting the “Why,” you can reconnect with your core motivation, which often reignites the creative spark. The “What” gives you a clear goal to work towards, while the “How” breaks down the task into manageable steps, making the process less daunting.

2. Navigating Collaboration:

Collaboration is a beautiful but often challenging part of being a musician. Different people bring different ideas, and without a clear framework, it’s easy for a project to lose focus. By using the Why, What, How framework, you can ensure that everyone is on the same page. Agree on the “Why” behind the collaboration, define the “What” (the desired outcome), and map out the “How” together. This approach fosters better communication and ensures that everyone is moving in the same direction.

3. Managing Time and Energy:

Musicians are often juggling multiple projects at once—writing, recording, performing, promoting. It’s easy to get overwhelmed. The Why, What, How framework can help you prioritize by clarifying what’s most important. Start with the “Why” to understand the purpose behind each project, then define the “What” to see which projects align most with your goals. Finally, use the “How” to create a realistic action plan that balances your time and energy.

The Cost of Not Using the Framework

This is probably a bit mean to say. But I just said it.

Not using this framework in some manner or the other, is eventually just not a sustainable thing to do as a professional artist.

This is especially true in an age where independent artists don so many hats. 

Writer, composer, producer, engineer, art director, video editor, podcaster, label head, and PR campaign leader. 

When musicians don’t take the time to separate their work into the Why, What, and How, the results will be frustrating in the long term.

Projects can feel aimless, and we might find themselves working harder, not smarter—pouring energy into tasks that don’t actually move the needle. The natural result to this will be burnout, self-doubt, and a sense of being stuck in a loop.

For example, we might spend months recording an album, only to realize halfway through that we’re not happy with the direction it’s taken.

Why?

That's exactly it. Because we never clarified our “Why.”

We jumped into the “How” instead, without fully understanding the “What” either as a result.

And now we’re faced with either starting over or finishing a project we’re not 100% convinced about anymore.

On the other hand, by applying the Why, What, How framework from the beginning, we can avoid these pitfalls. And move forward with confidence, knowing that every decision they make is aligned with their deeper purpose and their ultimate goals.

This framework is also a cornerstone of my Artist Self-Study Course, C.I.A.R.(The Complete Independent Artist Roadmap), and it’s helped all enrollees and my coaching clients reshape their approach to music and redefine success on their own terms for a while now.

By first establishing clarity (the Why), setting clear intentions (the What), and then taking focused action (the How), musicians are empowered to craft a career and an artistic practice that is not only creatively fulfilling but also strategically aligned with their deepest values. 

It is a simple but deep process that helps cut through the noise, avoid unnecessary detours, and stay true to our unique artistic vision.

Conclusion: Embrace the Framework, Transform Your Process

I can only repeat: The Why, What, How framework might seem simple, but don’t underestimate its power.

By taking the time to clearly define each stage, you can transform your creative process from a chaotic, overwhelming experience into a focused, purposeful journey. Whether you’re working on a new album, planning a tour, or just trying to overcome a creative block, this framework can provide the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.

So, the next time you’re feeling lost in your music, take a step back and ask yourself: Why am I doing this? What do I want to achieve? How am I going to make it happen? You might be surprised at how much clarity and direction these three simple questions can bring. And with that clarity comes the freedom to create your best work—work that truly reflects who you are as an artist.

Categories: : mental health, music business, music education