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Written by Dan Landrum
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Friday, 02 January 2009 04:07 |
 Set Your Music Free - Try and think of the music you make as something separate from your abilities and inabilities. Can you remember what it was that drew you in and made you believe you could be a musician in the first place? It may not be one simple identifiable event, or thought, but it probably included some feeling of enjoyment or satisfaction upon hearing sounds that seemed meant for you. Later in our musical journeys it's easy to doubt, or even forget that early meaning, no matter how clear it once was.
- Turn around and reflect - If we could go back in time and see ourselves as we began to experiment with our chosen instruments, I believe we would see satisfaction on our faces at even the simplest of attempts at music making.
- Set Your Music Free - Try and think of the music you make as something separate from your abilities and inabilities. Can you remember what it was that drew you in and made you believe you could be a musician in the first place? It may not be one simple identifiable event, or thought, but it probably included some feeling of enjoyment or satisfaction upon hearing sounds that seemed meant for you. Later in our musical journeys it's easy to doubt, or even forget that early meaning, no matter how clear it once was.
- Turn around and reflect - If we could go back in time and see ourselves as we began to experiment with our chosen instruments, I believe we would see satisfaction on our faces at even the simplest of attempts at music making. We didn't expect to be perfect and found joy in smaller accomplishments. Isn't that still possible today? This turning 'round and examining life is the subject of the Quaker song Simple Gifts.
- Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
- 'Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
- And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
- 'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
- When true simplicity is gain'd,
- To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
- To turn, turn will be our delight,
- Till by turning, turning we come round right.
- Examine In Small Doses - Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” I believe this, but too much examination is like expecting learn a subject by only taking tests. You need time to explore and discover, just like when you first started playing. Sometimes we just need to let that beginner player take over. For me, this discovery occurs when I'm practicing exercises or songs that allow my mind to wander. I try to turn my wandering mind to simply listening, as if I'm listening to someone else play. It is in these moments that I rediscover what it is that keeps me coming back to hammered dulcimer. There's something satisfying about the sound, patterns and rhythmic pulse.
Play and listen. Tell the critic to come back later. |
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Last Updated on Saturday, 21 March 2009 03:43 |
