Q: sometimes I meet someone who has only ever played sheet music in an orchestra or whatever, and even if they're interested in composing or improvising the thought makes them anxious. do you have any advice for helping people like that
A: it's not clear whether you are talking about someone who really wants this. But if they do indeed have a strong desire to create their own things, but has only ever had experience as a sheet/scripted player, then i think i'd suggest starting totally fresh. possibly switch instruments. get way outside the box. smash the box. playing all scripted is a totally different universe, so it will be like learning something completely new. which is fun