Music From Your Heart VS Your Ego

Subject: RE: Music From Your Heart VS Your Ego
From: Jeri
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 06:55 PM

I don't think heart and ego are all that separate. I sing songs I love. I sing them to share what it is I love about them with others. When I sing songs like this, I think I'm much better than if I sang songs to show off. (Not that I could anyway.)

When you share your passion for a particular piece of music, you ARE a better performer. It's good for the whole person, not just their ego, and it's good for those who listen. Learn the technical skills you need to express the music of your heart, but let your heart be the most important thing.

Subject: RE: Music From Your Heart VS Your Ego
From: Barry Finn
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 06:39 PM

Hi Little Neophyte, I don't know what would work for you so I'll try to explain what works for me in the hopes that it helps. I pick songs that I feel fit me & that I can feel, songs that I can connect with. I sing these songs as if they are now a part of me & forever sing them with all the passion they deserve. I don't know when I started singing this way, as long as I can remember singing folk songs I'd guess, it's become the only way I sing & I wouldn't trade songs from the heart for songs from the head for one New York second. As for hearing songs being sung, I'd take a good song sung badly by someone who sang it with feeling than a great song sung perfectly by someone who cared first about their performance rather then the song coming first. Everyone wants to do a great job performing every song they do but IMHO it's the song first. Good Luck, Barry

Subject: RE: Music From Your Heart VS Your Ego
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 05:35 PM

Thanks Catspaw, what you say helps a whole bunch.
Hard to find that kind of honest playing these days. I'm just understanding that aspect of the music now. It came about from learning a tune and then really, really listening to the same tune played by the old-timers. There was an honesty within their music that doesn't come from focusing on learning to play the tune technically well. And like you say, you can be missing lots on the technical side but it doesn't matter because you are offering something more important.
I'll seek out Frank Proffitt's recordings.

Miss BonAmi

Subject: RE: Music From Your Heart VS Your Ego
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 04:51 PM

WEll BonAmi, this ain't real helpful, but if you listen to the real authentic blues guys and most of the old timey mountain bunch, you'll notice that technique and great pickin' really aren't a big factor. Playing great is wonderful and all that and I love great pickers, but I like authentic, "from the heart" folks a lot more.

Do you ever listen to Frank Proffitt? I think you need to. The playing is adequate in technique, but sure nothing to write home about. His singing by most standards of performance is pretty poor. But listen to him. In every twangy note and missed beat and nasal lyric is truth and authenticity. Whatever he may lack in everything else, Frank Proffitt could deliver a song in such a way that gives me shivvers sometimes when I listen to him.

Thing is, the worst I can do is to try and be Frank Proffitt. Imitation may be flattery, but it is imitation and therefore not real, not from your heart. When I sing one of Frank's songs (or one I heard him do) that I really like, all I can do is to make it mine in the best way I know how. It's not the notes, the beat, the words, the pickin'........it's truth. I always believed in that truth, but it was hammered home by listening to Frank.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Music From Your Heart VS Your Ego
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 04:33 PM

Yes it makes sense Roger.
I have not played much in public but I have noticed that when I play a tune that sounds pretty good note for note people will be supportive but when I play that same tune with silent spaces where I express part of myself, it moves folks in a deep way. They can feel the difference.
I've been so busy just learning the tunes I never realized that aspect of the music. That you can play the same tune and yet one will be alive and the other may sound very good but is lifeless.
This is a new revelation in the musical growing stages of Little Neo.
Problem is, only once in a blue moon do I really play from my heart. I hope as time goes by and I want this more than learning new tunes that playing from my heart comes more often than not.

Little Neo

Subject: RE: Music From Your Heart VS Your Ego
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 03:50 PM

sorry Neo, I did not mean any offence, I thought you were saying at first that you had found playing from your heart much more satisfying and I thought you meant you had cracked playing like that in public. In which case I am very happy for you (Am i rubbish with words or what) and thats why I did not understand the road blocks thing......
does that make any sense?

Subject: RE: Music From Your Heart VS Your Ego
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 03:44 PM

Easier said than done Mr. Roger

Subject: RE: Music From Your Heart VS Your Ego
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 03:42 PM

Road Blocks?
What exactly is stopping you LN, just let go and play it like it is

Subject: RE: Music From Your Heart VS Your Ego
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 03:24 PM

I can see how playing from your heart is the greatest gift you can offer others.
Is there really a cost? To be exposed? Give me a break!
This is all people really want. Something real. It is ourselves that gets in the way of offering something real. I very much want to let go and offer others a peak into who I am. But then there are the road blocks, motes, gates and double lock doors. This I must dismantle. Such an undertaking but so worthwhile.

Little Neo

Subject: RE: Music From Your Heart VS Your Ego
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 03:05 PM

You gotta sing, like you don't need the money
Love like you'll never get hurt
You gotta dance like nobody's watching
It's gotta come from the heart if you want it to work

;-)

Subject: RE: Music From Your Heart VS Your Ego
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 02:55 PM

At the same time I feel more exposed playing that way LN, it is giving something of yourself and open to rejection which would be quite hurtful. I usually play safe 'the way it always has been played' in public, for friends I throw in the kitchen sink !!

Subject: RE: Music From Your Heart VS Your Ego
From: GUEST,khandu
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 02:52 PM

Yes! Heart music is always superior. IMO, the best musician is the one who plays from the heart.

Technique has little to do with touching or moving me. However, when heart music is combined with skillful playing, ahhhhhhhhhhh!

Go for the heart everytime!

khandu

Subject: RE: Music From Your Heart VS Your Ego
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 02:38 PM

Yes indeed

Subject: Music From Your Heart VS Your Ego
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 02:37 PM

Lately I am observing when I play from my heart compared to when I play from a place where I want to impress others. When I play from my heart I can clearly feel the difference. Hard to say how it happens I just know there is a freedom in my music and I am able to express a part of myself. When I play from my ego my music has not much to offer. It is just another tune. It is amazing how people respond to my music when I let go and play from my heart. I could miss lots of notes, doesn't matter. The tune is alive and others know this.

Can others relate?

Little Neo