Every once in a while you hear or see something worth sharing. I heard this solo by bassist Victor Wooten years ago…it’s definitely one of my top ten favorite musical performances of all time. Victor exemplifies the unmistakable “flow” experience described so meticulously by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in his book, “Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience.”
If you are unfamiliar with this musical genre, I encourage you to relax into it, much like you would ease the car into gear as you gently let out the clutch. Don’t force it, stay with it…Victor’s enjoyment is contagious.
Sit back and enjoy…
Wasn’t that spectacular?!? The performance demonstrates so clearly what it is like to be caught up in the enjoyment of living; I just couldn’t resist sharing it.
Speaking of sharing, I thought you might also enjoy one more passage from Csikszentmihalyi’s book:
“As our studies have suggested, the phenomenology of enjoyment has eight major components. When people reflect on how it feels when their experience is most positive, they mention at least one, and often all, of the following. First, the experience usually occurs when we confront tasks we have a chance of completing. Second, we must be able to concentrate on what we are doing. Third and fourth, the concentration is usually possible because the task undertaken has clear goals and provides immediate feedback. Fifth, one acts with a deep but effortless involvement that removes from awareness the worries and frustration of everyday life. Sixth, enjoyable experiences, allow people to exercise a sense of control over their actions. Seventh, concern for the self disappears, yet paradoxically the sense of self emerges stronger after the flow experience is over. Finally, the sense of the duration of time is altered; hours pass by in minutes and minutes can stretch out to seem like hours.”
Victor experienced all eight components of enjoyment. Don’t you agree? He was there!
The beauty of this is that the flow experience is available to everyone, in any situation. There are, of course, certain predictable (and surmountable) barriers to the experience that are well-described in the book. If you haven’t read it, I encourage you to do so. It contains a set of keys that will open the doors to enjoyment in every aspect of your life.
Gregory Hake 
now this is a different kind of flow….http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/25/most-incredible-mountain_n_513731.html
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You’re not kidding. Wow! I’d love to hear those guys describe their experience on that run. I’m sure they’d sound remarkably similar to Victor Wooten’s description of what he felt during that performance on his bass…
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I was fortunate to see Victor Wooten a couple of years ago and I can truly say that he is amazing, a master of the art. Another great musician that portrays a perfect mix of flow, enjoyment and perfection is Bela Fleck. Check out his new African influenced project “Throw Down your Heart”. it’s a documentary/album in which Bela takes the Banjo back to its home, Africa. Worth Seeing!
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Thanks for the tip. I’ll certainly check it out!
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Thanks for the reminder Juan, it’s been years since I caught a little Bela Fleck. He’s a fabulous musician. I remember seeing him at an outside venue surrounded by high rock walls – the acoustics mixed with his skill made for a great show!
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Victor Wooten is a great example of someone who enjoys his process and isn’t set back by predictable barriers as you mention. He really allows the music inside of himself to be expressed very complexly through the bass, typically an instrument expected to only play one or two notes to support the rest of the music.
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Wasn’t the ending great? I love that performance!
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Was that a performance with Bela Fleck? Victor Wooten is an amazing bassist. He definitely hits all eight of the points you outlined.
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That’s right. I thought of putting a clip of Bela up too as he is an amazing musician as well! Maybe fodder for a future post…
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Interesting! Gives me new respect for something I probably wouldn’t have listened to on my own.
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I am reading the book and loving it. In a world of multi tasking and ADD, it is easier and easier to miss the moments where “flow” is experienced. I found that the practice of yoga has helped me so much to find this space. What a great post Gregg.
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Csikszentmihalyi’s book is not a light read; more like studying a “manual” that should come with each person.
I’m finding it requires concerted attention and here is what he says about that.
“Attention is like energy…attention is our most important tool in the task of improving the quality of experience…attention shapes the self, and is in turn shaped by it.”
Sounds good;so I’m investing the time. Thanks for writing about him.
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Thanks for finding this clip, Gregg, the bass is one of my favorite instruments. This is a perfect example showing how the mind, when used for its intended purpose, is a powerful instrument designed to elevate one’s life experience helping us move toward our truest self and perfect expression.
Thanks again!
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Thanks Gregg, I just downloaded the book on my Kindle. Thanks for sharing Victor’s performance and Csikszentmihalyi’s quote. I look forward to reading more.
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