System Restore

There's been a energy blockage in my system.  Inflammation and needed caution slowed me, alarmed me, and led me to seek help. Recent practice evenings have been gentle and brief to allow my body to rest and to allow my mind to think constructively about my use.

Fortunately the blockage is removed, but the system has been disrupted.  What to do?  After some technical exercises, I began looking at partial scores as a possible beginning point.  Perhaps I should listen to what I have of these ideas on tape.  Get myself organized better to move forward? What?  No,no, no - revisiting the past this evening was not the right action.

I needed to Act.  To embrace the unknown, face a blank score, and brush my resistance aside.  Connect with my muse and ignite the system once more.  Can I just play a note or a chord and follow the promptings?  Can I trust the process once again?  Only if I play what I don't know, that's the only way.  Listen to the notes, stop the chatter, and play.  So I did.  The tape was running but this is not the time to reflect on the outcome.  For tonight my work is done, the path found again; if only as far as the next step.

A Challenge

                                              Ouch!

When I returned home from work today, I thought that I wanted to focus my guitar work on something new this evening.  Digging into my notebook of musical ideas I took out three scores of works in progress.  After working with one of the ideas for close to 40 minutes, I took a break by doing an Alexander Technique lie down.  I was grateful as my back let go of unneeded tension.  The idea Remember Quiet Evenings, did reveal some new notes and a different feel tonight.

When I returned to the guitar I moved onto the next idea, titled Corvus. There is a haunting quality to this, that I have yet to move forward. But just playing around with it, rekindled my interest in the idea.  I then looked at Danse Vivante, which I had not touched since this summer.  Moving to my desk to make a note to myself, I found my November Goals, one of which was to write three new pieces.  Gosh, I was optimistic at the beginning of this month.  But now as I sit here, I want to honor this to the best I am able.

I suspect that part of my motivation in writing this goal originally was that I know my professional life gets much busier at this time of the year.  New works always keep me eagerly coming back to the guitar regardless of my tiredness.  So with five days to go, I'll work to complete these three ideas.

Guess I better get back to the guitar.

Photo by Barry Stock.

Never

The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark.
Agnes De Mille

Never talk bad to yourself about yourself, especially about your abilities and aspirations.

Never allow technique to get in the way of your music.

Never give into the resistance to pursue your dreams. When you notice the resistance speaking, you know it is time to practice.

Never stay comfortable in your artistic pursuit.

Never try to be anyone else, just strive to be you.

Other Times

- Call a friend.

- Take a lesson.


- Go to an art museum.


- Do something different.

- Perform a ritual.


And always embrace your uncertainty.


Oh and pick up your guitar.

Sometimes

- Sometimes I just need to change the orientation of a piece of paper.

- Sometimes I just need to Begin on the out breath.

- Sometimes I just need to pick up the guitar.

- Many times I just need to listen.

            Most times - all you need is love.

Let's make that last one - ALL THE TIME.