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)

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"

Some things money just can't buy, and for me one of the most valuable of those is spending time with my bride of 44 years.

Buy on CD Baby today!

Time With You

This is another track from my new album called Heart Strings.

The album is now available to download on many online music stores, including iTunes... itunes.apple.com/gb/album/heart-s…ings/id989429326

Please follow me on Facebook... www.facebook.com/EdHaydonMusician

Heart Strings (from my debut album "Heart Strings")

A serene constellation of memories united by warmth and distance, merging like voices in the same sky. Sound glides between fragile connections and silent bonds, revealing the invisible pulse that holds everything together. Unity becomes light: subtle, radiant, and eternally returning.

Frozen Embers

Indica Remastered

Stück_1

Hi - here is the third piece from my live concert in London last year, featuring the Bergersen String Quartet.  I hope you like this piece :)

The Promise (Live at St James's Church)

Much Ado About Nothing

This 6'30" track is designed for meditation. Imagine yourself in a calm and safe place in the middle of a tropical island.... 
This is the violin version of "Island Dream" 
The other version (with vietnamese bamboo flute) can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/francois-mathian/island-dream-meditation

Island Dream

Learn more

Island Dream (violin meditation)

This is from my new album, Interludes and Epiphanies, available from 19th April 2013.

It was originally written to be performed at the Piano Cloud Live event but I was unable to transcribe it in time for someone else to be have time to practice and so I've recorded both parts myself!!!

If you like this please consider liking my Facebook page (http://facebook.com/purplerhapsody) and check me out on iTunes (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=192595547&forceArtistPage=1)

Thanks!

On The Piano Cloud (Piano Duet)

Ed Haydon is a composer and pianist from London who creates music that combines classical elegance with a contemporary twist. Ed is passionate about both tradition and trying new things and his music takes you on a journey, mixing enchanting melodies with exciting crescendos, which is sure to transport you to another world.