This video is right on. It's basically talking about relaxing and not thinking about playing when you are playing. One practical way is to practice VERY SLOW. I have experienced the profound affect this has on your playing. On a gig listen very closely to the other players and not on what you are playing and try not to play any preconceived ideas. This takes practice but I have found it to be very useful in getting the most out of my ablilities. Took me 30 years to finally understand that fully.
1pm 6.1.23 Love your improvations Love your book as well I was brought up in the Bronx Been playing for many years ( l am 88 ) oy govolt😊 I admire your SPUNK BE WELL❤
I've read Kenny's book "Effortless Mastery"...truely a very important book on my bookshelf. I recommend it to every musician I know. We all tend to fall into the trap of wanting to "play well". The book shows a way of kindly putting the ego in the back seat and getting joy of playing in the drivers seat! By the way I really enjoy your music as well. All the best.
So great to see this being thought! It's all about being connected to your true inner self. Most Jazz greats new this. Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis. Why would Charlie Parker say "learn everything you can about music, then when you learned all forget it"? Because these Cats played in the moment, in the zone, the mind remains silent at that time. There's only bliss and beautiful music..
This is so true - I can say that from own musical and other creative experiences like painting a picture - as soon as you start thinking about what you are doing it will surely get worse - let it be while playing a solo or whatever creative process you are experiencing - I've read the book by Stephen Nachmanovitch - I suggest it to everybody
This is one of the most intuitive talks i've ever seen. period. i knew this guy knew what he was talking about since i heard him talk about and play the rhinegold commercial. cheers my friend.
Thank you! All my friends have your book, and I have your video somewhere, but I can't find it -- now that I've been reminded of your amazing, helpful advice, I think I will continue to clean my apartment and, who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and get to watch your whole video! Thanks again!
Well put! Words of Wisdom, great concepts all related and the "only way to fly" summarized in a simple view of the magic. I loved to hear this, especially from Kenny, a great musician! Thanks Kenny!
This is just an intro to his method of... I guess you'd say not thinking... though he is good at avoiding superfluous labels. His book goes into detail about how it all works. This vid is just an intro to his "Four Steps" DVD, which I plan on buying next. I have the book and the Melody Harmony Rhythm DVD. They are pricey but by far the best jazz publications I've ever bought.
It's so rare and sweet to even open the topic of the "state of grace" or "space." IMHO, results are determined by the process - follow a new process, get a new result. What are these new ways, processes, or means that will take me beyond my former limitations? I heard the goal is to suspend expectations; What is a new practice strategy "step" that will result in suspending expectations? I heard the goal is to stop the desire to duplicate an experience that happened in the past. What's the actual step(s) of how to do that, stated in a way that can be practiced? I heard the need to create a new habit. How would a person train a new, constructive habit truly in a new way - that isn't determined by the way they formerly learned that is tainted by habitual routines? I would also like a step to allow me to practice choosing the new habit when under stress once it's formed alongside the old habit. Wonderful, admirable topic!
The problem is not caring (as caring makes it come from your heart, thus connecting you to the right source). The problem is trying to control it. And our consciousness is too finite for that. "The space", though, isn't.
This, I believe is only from the perspective of improvisation. Want to get out of a rut? Just learn more repertoire. All musical learning is, is the DEVELOPMENT of "ruts" so to speak. Think of the left hand figure for Linus and Lucy. Once it's down, it's a memory "rut". Now pile on the counterpoint chord melody. Another "rut". All of this is broken down when you learn a different tune with a different skill set employed. What he's saying here is dead on with regards to soloing and improv.
A lot of this is borne out by some very recent studies in clinical psychology. This isn't new-age, psychobabble, or any such. This is, mostly, sound psychology.
This video is right on. It's basically talking about relaxing and not thinking about playing when you are playing. One practical way is to practice VERY SLOW. I have experienced the profound affect this has on your playing. On a gig listen very closely to the other players and not on what you are playing and try not to play any preconceived ideas. This takes practice but I have found it to be very useful in getting the most out of my ablilities. Took me 30 years to finally understand that fully.
You pointed out a practice strategy that works that is a practical, real step. Thanks.
That space is where Angels fly and you can only be in that space if you don't care about being an angel! Thanks for that insight!
1pm 6.1.23
Love your improvations
Love your book as well
I was brought up in the Bronx
Been playing for many years
( l am 88 ) oy govolt😊
I admire your SPUNK BE WELL❤
I've read Kenny's book "Effortless Mastery"...truely a very important book on my bookshelf. I recommend it to every musician I know. We all tend to fall into the trap of wanting to "play well". The book shows a way of kindly putting the ego in the back seat and getting joy of playing in the drivers seat!
By the way I really enjoy your music as well. All the best.
That one note …. I got it instantly.
His book is a Must Read for everyone...not only musicians
So great to see this being thought! It's all about being connected to your true inner self. Most Jazz greats new this. Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis. Why would Charlie Parker say "learn everything you can about music, then when you learned all forget it"? Because these Cats played in the moment, in the zone, the mind remains silent at that time. There's only bliss and beautiful music..
Took me 40 years to find the space. Now it's not like I'm making anything happen but instead conveying what's given to me.
🔥 same for most 🔥 life begins at 40 ✨
how did you find it?
Right on....
space is the place
This is so true - I can say that from own musical and other creative experiences like painting a picture - as soon as you start thinking about what you are doing it will surely get worse - let it be while playing a solo or whatever creative process you are experiencing - I've read the book by Stephen Nachmanovitch - I suggest it to everybody
I just meditated and that note he played sounded so good...
This is one of the most intuitive talks i've ever seen. period. i knew this guy knew what he was talking about since i heard him talk about and play the rhinegold commercial. cheers my friend.
Thank you! All my friends have your book, and I have your video somewhere, but I can't find it -- now that I've been reminded of your amazing, helpful advice, I think I will continue to clean my apartment and, who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and get to watch your whole video! Thanks again!
Well put! Words of Wisdom, great concepts all related and the "only way to fly" summarized in a simple view of the magic. I loved to hear this, especially from Kenny, a great musician! Thanks Kenny!
Thank you for talking about these important questions nobody talks about
Love your book! Thanks for helping us achieve better musicianship!
Kenny Werner is awesome.
That's all there is to it.
Inspiration to create so many beautiful moments on the piano. Let there be Space. Thanks KW!
I found a new mentor!!!
Invaluable information,, or rather facts. Thanx!
I just bought the book!!!!!!!
I see that a lot when musicians get use to playing with their friends mainly students. But when need to perform with others not so well.
So true!
So good, and sso right
This is just an intro to his method of... I guess you'd say not thinking... though he is good at avoiding superfluous labels. His book goes into detail about how it all works. This vid is just an intro to his "Four Steps" DVD, which I plan on buying next. I have the book and the Melody Harmony Rhythm DVD. They are pricey but by far the best jazz publications I've ever bought.
Fantastic! A great book too - Effortless Mastery! Also check out French Horn player Jeff Nelsen and his TED talk on fear based performing.
NEXT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's so rare and sweet to even open the topic of the "state of grace" or "space."
IMHO, results are determined by the process - follow a new process, get a new result. What are these new ways, processes, or means that will take me beyond my former limitations?
I heard the goal is to suspend expectations; What is a new practice strategy "step" that will result in suspending expectations?
I heard the goal is to stop the desire to duplicate an experience that happened in the past. What's the actual step(s) of how to do that, stated in a way that can be practiced?
I heard the need to create a new habit. How would a person train a new, constructive habit truly in a new way - that isn't determined by the way they formerly learned that is tainted by habitual routines?
I would also like a step to allow me to practice choosing the new habit when under stress once it's formed alongside the old habit.
Wonderful, admirable topic!
Thanks!!
Articulated perfectly.
smart! this is how you should talk about music. :)
Great way of explaining, when i do this i play better and i have lots more fun jammin.
Thanks so much for this information!!!!!
great video. thanks!
💘
Hashem=LOVE
da13thsun is here, The 13th apostle
13Love
So....? How do you enter the space?
I bought book and it said the meditations for the book are on his website, but I can't find them anywhere
I would contact Kenny via his site: kennywerner.com/contact
man this is all so true..but...how DO you get into the space? do I have to pay money now
AS Yogi Berra said, "You can't hit and think at the same time."
I think that institutions should teach these kinds of stuff....take care!
The problem is not caring (as caring makes it come from your heart, thus connecting you to the right source). The problem is trying to control it. And our consciousness is too finite for that. "The space", though, isn't.
I want to give you money for these truths.
This, I believe is only from the perspective of improvisation. Want to get out of a rut? Just learn more repertoire. All musical learning is, is the DEVELOPMENT of "ruts" so to speak. Think of the left hand figure for Linus and Lucy. Once it's down, it's a memory "rut". Now pile on the counterpoint chord melody. Another "rut". All of this is broken down when you learn a different tune with a different skill set employed. What he's saying here is dead on with regards to soloing and improv.
A lot of this is borne out by some very recent studies in clinical psychology. This isn't new-age, psychobabble, or any such. This is, mostly, sound psychology.
why you talk so soft????!!!! Good video, so relevant to the troubles Im having with improv right now.