I don't read music. I've never had a lesson. I don't know

The words of Lindsey Buckingham, guitarist, singer, and songwriter, are filled with both humility and wonder: “I don’t read music. I’ve never had a lesson. I don’t know anything about music other than what my inner knowledge is.” In this confession lies a profound truth about the nature of creativity—that there exists a wisdom deeper than formal training, a force that springs from within the soul, unmeasured by rules or instruction. Buckingham declares that his gift does not arise from academic mastery, but from an inner knowledge, an instinctive connection to the river of sound flowing through him.

This statement reveals the eternal tension between formal education and natural genius. For centuries, many have believed that mastery of an art requires discipline, theory, and the careful study of technique. And indeed, these are powerful tools. But Buckingham reminds us that artistry is not born only in the classroom or the conservatory. It also emerges in the silent places of the heart, where intuition, imagination, and emotion combine to produce expressions that defy the logic of rules. To follow this inner knowledge is to trust the muse that speaks directly to the spirit.

History has seen many such examples. The great folk singers and blues musicians of America’s Deep South often could not read notes on a page, yet their songs carried the raw truth of human struggle and longing. Their music became the seed of rock, jazz, and soul, shaping the very fabric of modern sound. Or consider Michael Faraday, the great scientist who lacked formal higher education but relied on intuition and experiment to uncover the mysteries of electricity. Like Buckingham, they remind us that sometimes greatness is not bestowed by books, but awakened by the inner flame of curiosity and passion.

Buckingham’s words also teach us the value of authenticity. Inner knowledge is not imitation; it is originality. When one is unshackled by rigid training, one may stumble, but one may also discover entirely new paths untrodden by others. Fleetwood Mac’s distinctive sound, shaped by Buckingham’s unconventional playing, stands as a testament to the creative power of trusting instinct over convention. His music does not follow the laws of theory, but the laws of heart and imagination—and in this, it resonates across generations.

Yet, we must not misunderstand him. To follow inner knowledge is not to scorn discipline, but to recognize that true artistry flows first from within. The tools of training can sharpen, but they cannot replace the original spark. Without the spark, even the most technically skilled musician may lack soul. With the spark, even one untrained can stir the hearts of millions. Buckingham’s life shows that while lessons can guide the mind, passion alone gives birth to art that endures.

The meaning of his words, then, is deeply motivational: do not wait for permission to create. Do not believe that lack of formal education makes you unworthy of expression. If there is a song within you, sing it; if there is a vision within you, paint it; if there is an idea burning in your heart, build it. Trust your inner knowledge, for it is a gift no one else can give and no one else can take away.

Therefore, O listener, learn from Buckingham’s testimony: the greatest lesson is sometimes not taught by masters but whispered by the soul. Formal study is a noble path, but it is not the only path. Follow your inner compass, nurture your own originality, and let your creations rise not from fear of imperfection, but from the boldness of authenticity. For within you lies a wisdom unlearned yet eternal, a music that no sheet can capture, a truth that only you can bring forth into the world.