What's the difference between "How do I..." and "What are the next steps to..."?

• What questions ask us to identify the actual steps required as if we know the process.

• How questions ask us to think about the process.

Perhaps thinking first about the process helps us determine what the relevant and effective next steps could be.

As a musician, I often think: "what if I tried something like this?" and then,
I'll translate that into "how might I use that idea in...?"

I'll know the work was right or wrong based on the reaction of the other musicians, how well the idea compliments the song, and... actually thinking like an artist... is the idea in the realm of good taste? Does the idea accomplish what the idea was for?

Start with "how" and then go to "what" and validate your work against your "why".