Here's a thought that has been on my mind, something that in future I might expand on. The idea of inspiration vs the idea of hard work.
We all know to be able to perform at the highest level, the hours dedicated to honing our art have to be there. Without them we are simply unable to express what we would like, even if the ideas come. Technique should be just where we need it, in the right place at the right time.
What about inspiration? Can this be worked on? I think the answer is yes. Chess grand-master and legend Garry Kasparov in his new book Deep Thinking, says that in order for anyone to perform at their best, absolutely everything must be in place. That must include not just what we can control such as work and preparation, but the things that we can't foresee such as, innate abilities and talents that are simply part of us and can be opened to given the right circumstances. Those moments of 'genius' that we can't explain must be there too.
We have all been there. What happens when we play at are best. Can we explain it? Usually not. Mostly what happens in these cases is that we are in a zone way beyond something that can be calculated in terms of hours. We no longer think, and the endless calculations needed to improvise at the highest level no longer apply.
So can this be cultivated? The ability to be open to those special moments? Probably the easiest way to see it is when things don't go well. What has usually gone wrong? Maybe we are not able to concentrate, maybe we are unwell, are tired, distracted, thinking of other things, trying too hard. The list is endless.
So perhaps the answer to working on the inspiration part of music is to make sure as much as possible that everything is fitting into place when we need it. Have we slept well, exercised, eaten the right things, spent time away from distractions, warmed up before the show? Maybe these simple things can go a long way to help us reach the places we would like to.
We all know to be able to perform at the highest level, the hours dedicated to honing our art have to be there. Without them we are simply unable to express what we would like, even if the ideas come. Technique should be just where we need it, in the right place at the right time.
What about inspiration? Can this be worked on? I think the answer is yes. Chess grand-master and legend Garry Kasparov in his new book Deep Thinking, says that in order for anyone to perform at their best, absolutely everything must be in place. That must include not just what we can control such as work and preparation, but the things that we can't foresee such as, innate abilities and talents that are simply part of us and can be opened to given the right circumstances. Those moments of 'genius' that we can't explain must be there too.
We have all been there. What happens when we play at are best. Can we explain it? Usually not. Mostly what happens in these cases is that we are in a zone way beyond something that can be calculated in terms of hours. We no longer think, and the endless calculations needed to improvise at the highest level no longer apply.
So can this be cultivated? The ability to be open to those special moments? Probably the easiest way to see it is when things don't go well. What has usually gone wrong? Maybe we are not able to concentrate, maybe we are unwell, are tired, distracted, thinking of other things, trying too hard. The list is endless.
So perhaps the answer to working on the inspiration part of music is to make sure as much as possible that everything is fitting into place when we need it. Have we slept well, exercised, eaten the right things, spent time away from distractions, warmed up before the show? Maybe these simple things can go a long way to help us reach the places we would like to.
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