<snip>
sometimes I
>would go to play my instrument (piano), and BAMMMMMMMMMMMM!, everything
>sounded great! I would hit this note, try that chord, and geez,
>what a great feeling. I could do no wrong. I figured I am really starting
>to get this stuff.
>Well, I'd finally have to leave my instrument and do other stuff, but
>would be looking forward to the next BAM
>session.
>Now the next day (or even later the same day) I would go back to my
>piano, sit down and start playing, and BLAH.
>Nothing happening. I would try some of the cool stuff from the BAM
>experience, still nothing. What the heck was going on?
>Obviously, I had the same tools (chops, theory etc) at the BAM session as
>the BLAH session. (And no, no drugs or alcohol were involved at either
>session). Something magical had happened at the BAM session.
>
>Has anyone else on this list experienced this?
>It ain't all technique, chops, theory, etc. Something else is going on
>(magic, feelings, whatever).
>
>Comments?
>Pete.
>
>
Pete,
I live for those "Bamm" moments! What a gift it is when it happens.
I have given it a lot of thought. I believe that when I have those
experiences it is a spiritual thing... the music plays *through* me -- I
cannot take credit for anything. It is as though I am "channeling" a message
from a higher source. Perhaps I am experiencing interactive prayer.
The interesting thing is that I must observe a boundary. If I get the
slightest bit absorbed in myself... I crash and burn. If I try to
orchestrate, manipulate, plan, change, or influence the piece... I crash and
burn.
My ego has to be totally gone and my mind unfettered. The moment I think,
"Wow, look at what *I'm* doing here..." I loose it, crash and burn. The very
moment I inject *me* into the mix, it's a crash. I must be willing to be
totally bare, real, exposed, absent, yet totally present. (I am the faucet,
not the water.)
But, if I just allow it to unfold, magic happens. Music speaks through me,
beautifully and magically, yet it is in my "voice."
I have had two "super" experiences where all the proper ingredients were
present. The closest thing I can say is that I experienced out-of-body
travel. I was left totally humbled, totally satisfied, and incredibly
certain that I experienced meeting God... an epiphany.
I could go on... but I too would like to hear from others on their experiences.
Warmest regards,
Garrett Wilner
Austin, Texas
love2fly@ix.netcom.com