HOW Does Music Make Us Feel?

April 18, 2020 by Bill Berry in Music, Stories

I'm reminded of a question I used to ask, "How does music make you feel?" Not how do you feel listening to this music, but exactly HOW does it do that? How does it make us feel the way we do when we hear it? I now know that's a trick question. The music doesn't make us feel … anything. It's our brain's interpretation of what we're hearing, our brain connecting what we hear to our history, our emotions, our past, our culture. That's how music makes us feel.

I now know that's a trick question. The music doesn't make us feel … anything. It's our brain's interpretation of what we're hearing, our brain connecting what we hear to our history, our emotions, our past, our culture. That's how music makes us feel.

Charlie Haden's Solo on 'Take the Coltrane'

July 20, 2019 by Bill Berry in Music, Leadership

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group Take The Coltrane (Instrumental) · Kenny Barron · Charlie Haden · Roy Haynes Wanton Spirit With Charlie Haden And Roy Haynes ℗ 1994 Decca Records France Released on: 1994-01-01 Composer Lyricist: Duke Ellington Auto-generated by YouTube.

I love Charlie Haden’s solo and walking bass line on this song. I really need to study it because I have absolutely no idea what he’s playing. I think that’s what made him unique, what made him Charlie Haden. He was playing his own thing in his own way, not following anyone else.

He once said you should play every note as if it’s your last. Sadly, we’re all going to play that last note, even Charlie. But can you imagine the weight that would get put on every note if we thought of it that way? Every. Single. Note. They’d all have to be perfect, just right.

Yeah, I need to study Charlie. And practice. With intention and clarity.

Thank you Charlie!

More here: Charlie Haden: 'Risk Your Life for Every Note'

Arrival

May 27, 2018 by Bill Berry in Stories

I recently came across this great quote from Martha Graham:

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time. This expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it.

“It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open.

“No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”

Well, that certainly got me thinking.

I am usually happy. I don’t know that I’ve always been. At the same time, I’m almost always focused on making something different happen. Something new.

I’m habitually and unconsciously dissatisfied with what is and want to make it new, different, better.

Maybe I like jazz because it's like that too. Nothing is ever the same as it was. Every performance is unique. Searching. That’s kind of the whole point!

It’s not my business to determine whether my contribution is good or bad, ugly or beautiful. I just have to get my ideas out there.

And do that again. And again. And again…

Being unsettled is a semi-permanent condition. But not apprehensive. I’m not anxious, fearful or dreadful. Certainly not at this moment.

In the moment. That’s another thing about jazz. Being right … there.

I always say that playing music, playing my bass, is like a mini-vacation. When I’m playing, I’m in that moment. Because I’m not good enough to play and think about anything else.

I have to listen. Keep time. Stop rushing — always!! Listen. Contribute. Listen.

Just listen.

It’s a beautiful thing.

OTOH, I hate listening to recordings of myself playing. I only hear the wrong notes. When I listen to a presentation I’ve done, all I hear is “… um.” Still, it’s not my business to determine how good it is…

I’m creative. My canvas is ideas. Or maybe ideas are my paint, my notes? Problems? Perhaps that’s the canvas…

I don’t own the ideas. I give them away (for pay) at work. Or for free. Doesn’t matter. I’ve got more.

I’ll produce more. Upon demand. I have to do it. I’m a world-class idea improvising machine. An idea artist.

Years ago I took the Strengthfinders test and learned “Ideation” was one of my top five. Ideation!

I finally get it! Thanks, Martha!

“And,” mutters to himself, “the ideas ramble on.”

Amen.