Monday, January 15, 2007
When playing with other musicians, seek to connect with them on many levels

When I play music with other people, I employ most of my abilities as a human being to the task at hand. It is a physical syncing up - like crickets in a summer night. Pay attention to the way your musical partner or partners are breathing, how they are moving with the beat, and let your own body reply.

Intellect is important - watch what your partners are doing, even if they are playing instruments you don't understand - you can pick up on changes even if you don't know what exactly is happening (i.e., you will notice a change in where their fingers or thumbs are moving). If you do understand music, your intellect can help even more as you recognize the changes in chords and rhythms and can plot your own trajectory through the matrix of music that surrounds you.

When I play with other musicians, I seek a heart-to-heart connection with them, seeking to understand their essence and to co-create something of beauty which reflects the reality of where we each are in this moment together. And sometimes, I succeed.

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