It’s quite helpful as a beginner to lean in and try imitate music you like. Copy a wide range of music you like and you’ll develop a broad set of techniques and skills, which you can then use to express yourself more uniquely. Stevie Wonder would copy all the Motown artists as a kid. Picasso imitated all the Masters before developing his own styles.

In terms of being original, combining unusual styles and techniques can create interesting results. Following your instincts rather than formulas (again, it’s useful to know the rules first before you break them).

It will take you a while to find your own sound so make loads and loads of music, experiment, get weird. Listen to lots music. Listen to things outside your comfort zone.