Its all about holding onto your dream, in this case, music, when times seem toughest. 'Emotional Playing ......'

Do you ever suffer 'musician's block'? Have you ever felt inadequate? Have you been stuck for ideas, or tried to create and nothing seems to come out? Its a 'war' inside one's own mind.  Perfectionism, lack of time, 'I'm not good enough' …. excuses abound …. eventually negative feelings can creep in  and override that 'dream', whatever it may be, [in this case music]. Frustration can creep in and 'musician's block' rears its ugly head.

Such thoughts may be reinforced, as one gets out of practice and the skills one gained eventually weaken ….. one feels like they need to start all over again; just as I did, when poor health intervened in my 'journey' and I felt that no progress had been made; that I had to start all over again; the 'fun' had been lost. …………….. My original goal: to enjoy, to escape, to heal, and to feel with music - my outlet-  had become a source of frustration. Maybe others can relate to such feelings?

Musicians are often described as quite emotionally sensitive people, whom are able to push out such emotions into, and through their music -  and it is these internal feelings that make a difference - it doesn't have to be 'perfect' - it is a journey of story-telling and of transporting ourselves and others away. This was my 'journey' and journeys can be 'rocky roads'.  

Musicians are story tellers with music, and not just with words - and it doesn't need to be 'perfect', creativity can never be 'perfect'.
- we feel and inject  pain, anger, sadness, happiness, and beauty, we reveal the emotions into the world of sound, transporting ourselves and other people into this 'world', often transcending what is 'technically correct' - yes, technique  is important too, but we try to bring it from the heart as well.

Music is my outlet. Yours too?

Whatever one's goal is; whether its for fun or to become famous (ummmm, lol), or to feel lost and escape the world of 'reality' for awhile… it is your dream, as long as it is a passion and it remains fun 

Some dear friends on SoundCloud encouraged me to keep going and I also watched some great videos about 'emotional playing' and learning how to relax into one's music without being overly self-critical. What also inspired me, in knowing that I would never become a 'concert great' :-), ... was that some great composers who achieve such passion and connect through 'emotional playing', are also famous for bad technique and playing wrong notes :-)

So - This is my renewed attempts - its a - Megs 'starting' again piece, a WIP [work in progress] and it brought me great comfort to know that I could once again, sit down at the piano and play at least; to rediscover the energy and satisfaction. To learn to be kinder on myself, to be patient and to know that we don't have to be 'perfect'  in creativity

- and most importantly to have fun in doing so! :-)

NOTE: This piece will also be worked on further and transformed into an orchestrated version with John Styles and Matt Baker, please stay tuned ….

Composer: Megan McCarthy
Solo Piano: Megan McCarthy
Mastered by: John Styles (OneVision CrossWorlds)

Hold Onto The Dream - Megs McCarthy (Producer: John Styles)

Her darkest sensuality

The very first Fivos song I heard on SoundCloud was his beautiful and haunting Nightly Walker.  I asked Fivos to share with me his score so I could at least enjoy playing his Nightly Walker, and at Fivos' urging, I am going to post my version on SC.  

I will not attempt to be Fivos - I could never be as talented as Fivos, and his wonderful songs and playing.  I am just posting this simple and non-improvised version (except the ending) as a tribute to Fivos and as a thank you to all his wonderful music.  He is brilliant and this is just a "junior" version of Nightly Walker that I enjoyed recording.  

Thanks Fivos for the score and for your tremendous talent and music!  Keep on sharing it and we'll keep on listening.  

Bruce 

Piano Remix of Fivos Valachis "Nightly Walker"

I may write a description shortly in terms of what this piece means for me - I would love to hear any feedback and perhaps what this piece - 'Why' (originally titled 'Searching')- may mean for you, what you hear in this? … such a profound question, or a simple one :-)xx

Why - Megs McCarthy (Piano Improv)

A Piece of Beethoven

An elegant song, with the unusual feature of five beats to the bar. The music flows in a decorative way, and the pretty key of A flat major further enhances the musical experience

SWW39.4

Dissonant World

Composed by @dan-cullen
Cello ensemble performed by Deryn Cullen

Float

At the moment, I am in the middle of various stages in my life. I've sold my business & am embarking on a full time music career. I'm also in the process of shifting houses to an area a few 100 kilometres away, so everything feels like shifting ice underneath my feet. The phrase "Find your way" came to me as I sat at the piano for this improvisation & here is the result.

Find Your Way

piano: Carlos Marquez

Background image: 
www.flickr.com/photos/14821912@N00/2574427997

Alexander Scriabin: Mazurka Op. 25 No. 3

Ravel composed his vocalise-étude, Pièce en forme de habañera while he was composing his opera L'Heure espagnole in 1907, drawing on an ongoing trend for French composers to write works in a Spanish style.  Being for wordless voice, it lends itself beautifully to the humanesque voice of the cello.
Cello - Deryn Cullen
Piano - Paul Gardiner

Ravel - Piece en Forme de Habanera

Classically trained pianist. I enjoy playing not only the traditional repertoire but also pieces from unusual composers.

Alexander Scriabin: Mazurka Op. 25 No. 3

cmdigital