Thought for the Day (Dec 21)

Subject: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: Peter T.
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 09:13 AM

"I had been practicing for several hours when I suddenly realized that the sound was coming directly out of the piano. Instead of singing the music in my mind, as I usually did, and focussing on that imaginary sound, I heard the actual sound. I was shocked by its vividness, and by the realization that although this brilliant sensory experience had been available to me for years, I had been missing it....Everyone starts out in music a listener. As young children we hear music with freshness and delight. But when we start practicing an instrument, we stop listening intently. We become so involved with producing a sound, that we forget to take it in. We get caught up with trying to make the instrument do what we want, and trying to make the music sound as we think it should. In directing our attention towards the desired results, we take it away from the actual sounds that could be giving us pleasure in the present moment. This approach becomes a vicious circle. The less pleasure we receive, the more we try to force the instrument to give it to us, gripping it tightly instead of moving simply and comfortably."
-- The Art of Practicing, Madeline Bruser (II)

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 10:23 AM

Geeziz....How BIG was this old bitty anyway if she was gripping a PIANO for chrissakes?????

Spaw

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 11:46 AM

LOL, Spaw.

Not sure if I agree with what she says, Peter. I remember really loving to *hear* what was coming out of my violin, esp. when blending with the whole orchestra, as well as when playing solo wiht my mom accompanying me. That was the whole purpose of playing.

Maybe because I didn't grip is why my teachers all said I had such a great bowing arm, etc.; always proud to use the whole bow; Rog says it's 'cause I was a gypsy (NOI) in a past life.

kat

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 11:59 AM

Uh Kat.........Is it possible that Rog liked your "whole bowing" technique for any other reasons? Or maybe his concept of gypsy is somehow different than yours, ya know?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: Neil Lowe
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 12:00 PM

You don't have to be a virtuoso to experience what she's talking about. All too rarely - when I forget to think about where my fingers are and where they should go next - the sounds coming from the guitar, its timbre, all the nuances and harmonics transport me away from my immediate surroundings. And all I'm doing is changing from C to D. Makes me believe in magic again.

Regards, Neil

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 12:21 PM

There's a book on this very subject - though I'm damned if I can remember what it's called. I didn't read it 'cos it seemed to be very boring, but the gist was (as with other books by the same guy) "stop concentrating on what you're supposed to be doing and just enjoy the result". It's great when you can remember to do it (well, usually!)

Steve

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: Mbo
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 12:31 PM

As a classical guitar player, I can identity exactly. Sometimes you get so involved with making sure that you change positions quickly enough, or your left hand fingers the frets before your right hand gets there, to always be thinking two measures ahead, to play lightning fast sliding chord positions and try to keep the same momentum...and it can sometimes make you detest hearing that musical piece ever again. The fun you had when you heard someone else play it is gone, and you realize what an ordeal it is to create music. Of course, in my Celtic playing, I really don't mind, but when I play classical, I have this unknown need to play accurately. Duke Ellington used to say "It's not important how accurate you are, but how much feeling you put into it." But sometimes, technical "mistakes" can ruin the feeling. But then again didn't Seamus Ennis himself say 'First you must learn the grip..."?

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: Night Owl
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 12:33 PM

Thanks....AGAIN Peter T. After some 30 years of playing the autoharp (off and on)I've been recently playing duets with another autoharp player....who's skills I admire and respect. We were playing "White Choral Bells" as a round and just experimenting with the tune and different places we could come in. Problem is the music sounds so GOOD to my ear,....I keep forgetting to continue playing....cause I am enjoying listening. Hope your quote means I've put in my practice time ....or could be....I'm just a "mindless" musician!!!

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 12:39 PM

The real thing is to be able to change the technical ability that's needed into artistry. Its what separates the greats from the rest in almost every field. You see it in racing all the time and rarely notice. Its the thing that makes one teacher stand out above the rest. Its more obvious in musicians.....lots of technique, no soul.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: _gargoyle
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 01:06 PM

Beautiful thought, thanks for posting it.

A violinest, by nature of the instrument, appears to be more closely bonded, it is as if the bow and body are growths from the person....appendaages of emotional expression.

A keyboardist has a multitude of mechanics that seperate and distance them from the actual sounding process....In the case of a pipe-organs this can be several hundred feet. (Like a carillon player the arrival of the delayed sound takes adapting to, it feels peculiar to have produced a note and hear it arrive while you are beginning to strike another key)

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 01:30 PM

Well guys, this discussion sounds pretty similar to letting go in sex and experiencing an incredible orgasm.

BB

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 04:25 PM

Just great BB.........What IS the matter with you anyway? No one can make even the most innocent comment around here without you turning it into some sexual thing. Not only is it tasteless and vulgar...its MY job, so bugger off!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 09:31 PM

Catspaw, I would never dream of stepping in your territory.
Why, I thought my analogy was deep and meaningful.
Have you ever experienced a magical, harmonic, present moment, oneness kind of connection with another person?
It may just last for a few seconds, but it can be quite remarkable.

BB

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 10:11 PM

I agree BB...and that's the way the rest of the animal kingdom does it. Humans find those "occasional" times so remarkable because we engage in what Allen Sherman referred to as "Thinkery-Fuckery."

Spaw

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 22 Dec 99 - 03:39 AM

Allen Sherman said that? I shall never buy another of his records!

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: DonMeixner
Date: 22 Dec 99 - 08:47 AM

I could read this quote from a couple directions. The first and immediate one that comes to my mind is to accept mediocrity. Use the think system like Prof. Harold Hill in the music man and you will flugel the Minute Waltz in 58 seconds. Take what you get and learn to like it.

But the author allows that she had been at the keyboard for several hours which would indicate to me that the author is clearly not a beginner. Does this mean tht at some point, on one of the plateaus we all reach in learning anything, an epiphany was attained?

I'd accept the second. The notion that you know the fundimentals and are competant at what you do is evident. But the magic that allows you to be better is suddenly openned to you. Tasio Neuvolare (sp) said "You don't drive on the road to win, you become the road." (Paraphrased but close.) Its the same with music.

This returns us to the Floating thread from early in the fall. Doc Watson and Manitas DiPlata play wildly different styles but I'd bet they had both reached this epiphany.

I accept this as good advice but not for a beginner. I believe that dues must be paid, proficiency attained and the enlightenmentof discovery as stated by the aithor is the gold at the end of the rainbow.

( I like Bonnie's analogy too. My Sweetie likes having them and I like causing them, Its a win, win situation.)

Don

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: Callie
Date: 23 Dec 99 - 12:54 AM

An influential music teacher once spoke about 'being in the room' when you play. That is, not being mentally absent but really being conscious of the moment and the act of playing (although not in a self-conscious way - just a PRESENT way). I still carry it with me as being an important concept in life as it is in music/life. I know, I know. Most of you are going to say "but it's all too ugly - I CHOOSE to be absent"!

Callie In Thinking Mode And Still Low Sugar Time

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Dec 99 - 01:16 AM

Don....Not that it matters, but -- Tazio Nuvolari, the Flying Mantuan. Your quote of him made me think of an interesting trait shared by at least 9 out of 10 of the top 100 drivers of all time: most had no respect or awe for the vehicle itself. It was at best a tool...period. Bill Vukovich, the first time he saw the car which would give him more victories than any other, simply said, "I can drive that pig." Kind of interesting.

Steve....Get a copy of Allen Sherman's book, "The Rape of the A.P.E."......great piece of work!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: Escamillo
Date: 23 Dec 99 - 01:26 AM

More than once I found my father playing the piano alone, and dropping some tears. As being taken by surprise, he laughed and explained: "Hehe, I don't know what is this, but it sounded so sad". He was just improvising and having the great fun of listening. As many other aspects of his life, he never settled those notes in a formal composition, but really helped me to find the fun of making music.
Un abrazo - Andrés Magré

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 23 Dec 99 - 01:32 AM

B.B., I just bought another dozen small casks of Madeira, m'dear.

--seed

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 23 Dec 99 - 02:19 AM

Gargoyle, I can imagine how difficult it could be to be "in the moment" when playing a carillon. I would think the temptation to listen electronically, via earphones would be overwhelming, or totally to block the sound produced out of your mind and focus entirely on the mechanics and the sound in your mind. Even for a stadium organist it must be difficulty, hearing the music from distant speakers, as well as nearer ones.

--seed

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Dec 21)
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 23 Dec 99 - 02:28 AM

" D minor is the saddest chord in music. Just the act of playing it makes one instantly weep." - Nigel Tuffnall