RE: spirituality in music

From: Brian K. Miller (millerbk@rconnect.com)
Date: Sun Mar 30 2003 - 16:24:21 PST


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Dear Steve, Tony and the List,

This is a very interesting discussion. Occasionally, I am able to reach a
level of familiarity with a piece of music, that I can completely
disassociate my conscious mind from the technical demands of playing. In
this state, I'm not consciously aware of playing the notes; only hearing the
flow of the music, the shape and clarity of the notes, and the joy of
freedom. Each note is cherished, savored, admired for it's unique beauty.

The interesting thing is that I can not force this state, it seems to come
by itself. Although, it may be enhanced by repetition and technical ease,
it only occurs when I let go and immerse myself in the moment. I'm not
thinking about the next note, or even the one played a moment before, only
the present one. The next note seems to come out of nowhere as the previous
one disappears into the infinite.

Someday hopefully, (if and when) I am able to completely set my ego aside,
then the blissful song of the infinite will flow uninterruptedly through the
flute of my soul.

Cheers - Brian
  -----Original Message-----
  From: HeirPhoto@aol.com [mailto:HeirPhoto@aol.com]
  Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2003 6:19 PM
  To: Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu
  Subject: Re: spirituality in music

  In a message dated 3/30/2003 6:06:10 PM Eastern Standard Time,
casanosteven@hotmail.com writes:

    From the many concerts I have attended, I can sense whether the
performer has reached this state or not, for if they have I am transported
on their journey with them.

  Steve,
  We certainly do agree. I play from within, not from others written music.
Most days I simply play....occasionally I become one with the music. As my
skills improve the days I connect become more frequent. From the first time
I heard the Shakuhachi I was drawn to it. Once I obtained one and figured
how to get a sound I immediately had a respite from my busy days. Playing
alone at night on my deck or in the neighborhood park just takes me away
from everything that invades me during the day. Some evenings I lose all
track of time or what happened while playing. These are the good,
"spiritual" nights. These are why I play and why I now craft flutes for
others.
  Best,
  Tony Miller

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<DIV><FONT color=3D#0000ff face=3DArial size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D669180300-31032003>Dear=20
Steve, Tony and the List,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#0000ff face=3DArial size=3D2><SPAN=20
class=3D669180300-31032003></SPAN></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#0000ff face=3DArial size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D669180300-31032003>This=20
is a very interesting discussion.&nbsp; Occasionally, I am able to reach =
a level=20
of familiarity with a piece of music, that I can completely disassociate =
my=20
conscious mind from the technical demands of playing.&nbsp; In this =
state, I'm=20
not&nbsp;consciously aware of playing the notes; only hearing the flow =
of the=20
music, the shape and clarity of the notes, and the joy of=20
freedom.&nbsp;&nbsp;Each note is cherished, savored, admired for it's =
unique=20
beauty.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#0000ff face=3DArial size=3D2><SPAN=20
class=3D669180300-31032003></SPAN></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#0000ff face=3DArial size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D669180300-31032003>The=20
interesting thing is that I can not force this state, it seems to come =
by=20
itself.&nbsp; Although, it may be enhanced by repetition and technical =
ease, it=20
only occurs when I let go and immerse myself in the moment.&nbsp; I'm =
not=20
thinking about the next note, or even the one played a moment before, =
only the=20
present one.&nbsp; The next note seems to come out of nowhere as the =
previous=20
one disappears into the infinite.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#0000ff face=3DArial size=3D2><SPAN=20
class=3D669180300-31032003></SPAN></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#0000ff face=3DArial size=3D2><SPAN=20
class=3D669180300-31032003>Someday hopefully, (if and when) I am able to =

completely set my ego aside, then the blissful song of the infinite will =
flow=20
uninterruptedly&nbsp;through the flute of my soul.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#0000ff face=3DArial size=3D2><SPAN=20
class=3D669180300-31032003></SPAN></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#0000ff face=3DArial size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D669180300-31032003>Cheers=20
- Brian&nbsp;</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
  <DIV align=3Dleft class=3DOutlookMessageHeader dir=3Dltr><FONT =
face=3DTahoma=20
  size=3D2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> HeirPhoto@aol.com=20
  [mailto:HeirPhoto@aol.com]<BR><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, March 30, 2003 6:19 =

  PM<BR><B>To:</B> Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu<BR><B>Subject:</B> =
Re:=20
  spirituality in music<BR><BR></DIV></FONT><FONT =
face=3Darial,helvetica><FONT=20
  face=3DArial lang=3D0 size=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF">In a message dated =
3/30/2003=20
  6:06:10 PM Eastern Standard Time, casanosteven@hotmail.com =
writes:<BR><BR>
  <BLOCKQUOTE=20
  style=3D"BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"=20
  TYPE=3D"CITE">From the many concerts I have attended, I can sense =
whether the=20
    performer has reached this state or not, for if they have I am =
transported=20
    on their journey with them. </BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Steve,<BR>We =
certainly do=20
  agree. I play from within, not from others written music. Most days I =
simply=20
  play....occasionally I become one with the music. As my skills improve =
the=20
  days I connect become more frequent. From the first time I heard the=20
  Shakuhachi I was drawn to it. Once I obtained one and figured how to =
get a=20
  sound I immediately had a respite from my busy days. Playing alone at =
night on=20
  my deck or in the neighborhood park just takes me away from everything =
that=20
  invades me during the day. Some evenings I lose all track of time or =
what=20
  happened while playing. These are the good, "spiritual" nights. These =
are why=20
  I play and why I now craft flutes for others.<BR>Best,<BR>Tony =
Miller</FONT>=20
  </FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>

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