I have always felt that the great musicians have a higher level of Concentration, a deeper connection to the inner self, and an ability to block both inner and exterior detractions.
I have always felt that the great musicians have a higher level of Concentration, a deeper connection to the inner self, and an ability to block both inner and exterior detractions.
Hi Paul...yes, definitely, all those qualities plus an understanding of how the mind works. I got into it years ago, so I have a pretty thorough understanding of it all. But it took me quite a while to grasp the principles.
Anyhow....I'm not sure I can explain to you how a musician applies the principles. There are so many factors that come into play.
You might try what I did this time around. I used the exact same method and the exact same determination many years ago to learn how to play French musette music (the reason I have very fast fingering).
In a nutshell....after I watched that video above I decided I was going to practice left hand arpeggios ONLY, up and down the keyboard until I got it. Took one song after another and played the appropriate notes to each....almost until my hands bled. The KEY here is what you said....intense "concentration" and focus and correct technique. i.e. practice until the cows come home, but not mindlessly. Hear the notes in your head as you play them, place your finger precisely on each key.
This is the overview of it and what kept me going is it turned into an experiment for me. I decided in time I was going to let my mind do the work.
Ludovic Bier (famous French jazz and musette player) told me the simple secret when I met him a few years ago. He said: "just KEEP playing....all day, every day." That's what I decided to do....and...let my mind soak it up. Didn't worry about mistakes, challenges, nothing! Just played!
The principal is: feed the mind enough of what it needs to hear (music) and it will re-assemble it and output it in a more organized manner.
I'm not sure you're going to understand what I said here and that's OK. Beside, I have free time to do this. I'm near a piano most of the day so it was easy for me. But I'm really glad I took the journey. I can play as good as she plays now and I'm real happy about that.
You don't need to follow up with this post. I won't ask how you're doing, but you're partially there already, recognizing and understanding there's more to it than just practicing scales and chords over and over again.
Your friend
Mark
Previous Topic
Index
