This is a piano improvisation where I turned off the lights, hit record & started playing.

Suspended

original music: Karol Szymanowski
free score: http://imslp.org/wiki/Category:Szymanowski,_Karol
piano: Carlos Márquez

Forgotten Piano Gems Vol. 1

Prelude in D Minor No. 2, Op. 1

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Szymanowski: Prelude in D Minor Op. 1 No. 2

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)

I think there are different types of music, and music making....  there is the construction part,  there is manufacturing of music (not good in my opinion), then there is the intimate music,,, what I would call a gateway or window to a persons soul.  Often singers touch us with this,,, instumentalists, composers etc...   do this,,,  they pour their soul into the music,,,   I also think many electronic musicians do this,,,  however what we hear usually on the radio is manufacturing,,, "made in China" sort of thing.  Usually the singer does nothing except sing the song,,, the song itself is made in "visual basic",,, parts taken from here and there.   Thank God we still have indy scene,,, that´s where people really manage to do things wonderfully still,,,   and that´s the best thing about soundcloud in my opinion.

Well, back to the point,,,,  I get inspired by many things,,, very often by light and nature.  When I was coming home on my bike from work I had a sacred moment by the sea,,,   total calm and the birds where enjoying this wonderful day we got....   the picture is from that place...    So I had to do some music and this is what came out,,,  and it certainly feels like a gateway to my soul....     And now outside we have the northern lights :)

Is Music A Gateway To Ones Soul?

Second part of The Shades of Darkness work.

Artwork: http://s3.amazonaws.com/hypertextopia/public/uploads/4869/pd_darkness_071029_ms.jpg

The Shades of Darkness II (Alone)

This is my new piece, "The Breeze". Enjoy :)

The Breeze

I was winding down from a long day. I decided to turn on the recorder and play my Petrof for a while. This was the first thing that came out, after seems like weeks without playing...
hope you like it!

ClosingTime

Yesterday night, I have receive a private message from Kristy.
She dids a very interesting analysis of my music.
She mades me discover, new things.
Thank you Kristy for your friendship.
https://soundcloud.com/nocturne_garden

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Looping, Nocturne 29 Oct - Piano Solo (Dedicated to Kristy)

Solo Piano.  Created in Real-Time at the Midwest Music Conservatory, St. Louis MO.

Photo by Greg Carr, my brother.

Year of Music: September 29, 2025

1082 Ballad

05 - Rain| brian crain

Sheet music
www.steinmusica.com

If you want to contact me I´m only an email away

stein.musica@gmail.com

Always happy to lend music and would love to take part in cinematic projects.

Is Music A Gateway To Ones Soul?

Stein_Thor