Reminders of Freedom

Recently I've been delving into Pedro de Alcantara'a latest book Integrated Practice: Coordination, Rhythm & Sound where he further develops his ideas of applying Alexander Technique to music and a wealth of other solid musical approaches to explore.  From an AT perspective, he has me rocking on my sitz bones as I play, just sit, and/or prepare to play.  The notion behind this and other of Pedro's approaches is to have this as a "latent" potential within me, a freedom whether I am actually rocking or not.  David Jernigan reminded me of this in our lesson 2 weeks ago and I have been exploring this at while playing the guitar, working on the computer, and tonight when sitting down to dinner.  Almost immediately I have noticed an increased ease within my right leg when seated with the guitar.  Over the years, I've had a tendency to "hold on" with this leg and am slowly letting this go.

As I was "rocking" out while playing tonight, I paused and thought of freeing my neck.  This simple but vital AT practice that begins to reset my proper use.  While pausing I thought of a wonderful post I read by Trey Gunn last night titled Bias.  Drawing inspiration from Trey's words, I heard a note in my mind, found it on the guitar and then listened for the next note.  I was off to that wonderful space of allowing music to come into being.  A beautiful melody emerged which I played with.  After a while I took a short break.  During this break, the thought of inverting the melody arrived so I explored this.   Just as Trey suggested, allow the idea out, then apply theory.  Pausing at times during my playing to return to rocking, allowing freedom to enter in my body and mind.  Many thanks to all those that inform me.