| It's not what you play, it's how you play it. These | | | | Yes, you can do it. The secret? Get out of the way |
| words summarize the art of piano playing in general | | | | and let the music tell you where it wants to go. |
| and New Age piano playing in particular. You could | | | | After you learn technique and theory and a little bit of |
| take 2 chords, and, if you were in the moment and in | | | | improvisation skill, you will be able to grow and create |
| flow, communicate the utmost emotion and power. | | | | in proportion to your ability to get out of the way and |
| However, give the same two chords to someone who | | | | let the music take over. To do this requires a listening |
| is more concerned with image than music and the | | | | ability somewhat similar to meditation. That is, you must |
| sound won't have the appeal - the attractive quality | | | | be open and receptive to what comes next - never |
| that pulls the listener closer like honey to a bee. | | | | forcing, never trying to come up with something. |
| The secret is not how much you know or how good | | | | When you are in this listening frame of mind, wonderful |
| you think you can become. No. The secret to the art | | | | things begin to happen. But when you try to create |
| of New Age piano playing is being able to forget | | | | something, you set yourself up for blocks. Why? |
| yourself and express yourself without ego. Then you | | | | Because the trying blocks the listening, receptive |
| will begin to understand the meaning of art. For it is | | | | attitude necessary for improvisation. The key to getting |
| only when we transcend ourselves does something | | | | around this is to walk away and come back later. |
| real appear. | | | | Believe me, you can try and try but if nothing is coming, |
| What comes out of you is something from you but it is | | | | it probably won't come at this moment. |
| also something greater - a spiritual something that | | | | Art appears when you are in the moment. The art of |
| says, "let go and let the music come of its own | | | | New Age piano, like any other art requires you to learn |
| accord." Can you create this kind of music? A music | | | | the skills and techniques - then forget about them and |
| that is subtle yet very powerful. A music that can | | | | begin to play. |
| penetrate to the depths yet still remain lovely and light. | | | | |