Many people are trapped in the delusion,
"Music is important. I am only valid if I play it correctly."
Because of this misconception many musicians live and die
and never know the true joy of music in their lives.
Many jazz players feel that there is an experience in
improvisation that they are not having, or not having enough of.
Classical musicians also report "dryness" in their renderings
of the great composers.
It's like the priest who secretly has no love for God.
The customs are observed, but there is no true feeling.
If the lamp is not lit, music can be as dreary as anything else.
Along with the desire for a deeper experience
comes an intense drive to be a better player.
These aspects often work against each other.
There is only one true purpose to music.
It exists for our enjoyment and enrichment only.
I think a hint that reveals this is the fact that
the verb to commit the act of music is "play."
How serious is it supposed to be if we're supposed to "play?"
It's very hard to let go in the combat of performance,
but the Effortless Mastery exercises will help you
to claim music for your own pleasure.
This realization liberates performers
from the tyranny of the wrong note.
Instead of sweating their performance,
they look forward to it with delicious joy.
After all, it is the performer's "guilty pleasure.
We will talk more about this in subsequent emails.
For now, just understand that:
The greatest performers in any game are the ones
who experience the pure joy of playing more
than the responsibility to play it correctly . . .
"Music can flash through the musician
like lightening through the sky . . ."
if it is unobstructed by thoughts.
Therefore, the elimination of thoughts is a very relevant issue.
That's why the first step in the book
is practicing the elimination of thoughts.
So...
Can you witness your hands moving on your instrument,
your club or your tennis racket without being attached?
Can you throw a dart, pitch a ball or shoot a basket
without caring about hitting the mark?
Can you focus on your breath
without being attached to how well you play?
Thank you for being here
as part of our Effortless Mastery Community.
Kenny Werner
and
Dr. Andrew Colyer
P.S. How are we doing?
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=Ie.0J&m=1q3hs9dV2_7vP1&b=6Zr_aAIbKd6A9nP3ooUK6A
Dr. Andrew Colyer
ConsciousWorldMedia.com
86 Quarfelt Road, Clinton Corners, NY 12514, USA
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