“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” – Plato
I had the pleasure of performing in my first cello trio yesterday and I must say it was thoroughly enjoyable. We performed Robert Schumann’s Soldier’s March, Op. 68, No. 2, arranged for three cellos, a lovely piece that is played in lively if not severe tempo di marcia (in the speed of a march).
The details aside, what stood out to me most was the creative space opened by the music. It was as if we each lost ourselves but became something unified, albeit at a higher level than we might have been able to produce individually. While this may be old news to experienced musicians (as the other two in our trio were), I feel like a new world opened for me and it is an aperture I am very much looking forward to exploring.
I’d love to hear from you as to similar experiences you’ve had of late where something opened for you through a seemingly mundane circumstance. Is this not the magic of life?!? If you’re not experiencing it I think it is well worth the time to ask yourself why not. If you are, then share, please share!
Gregory Hake 
I would have to say that when appreciation combines with the awareness of something genuine being offered, one can experience this kind of magic. Without appreciation, the most grandiose of treasures fall flat, though only in the eye of the beholder.
The potential for magic increases when working in a group. I have become thoroughly convinced that every person is a vast treasure trove of wonderful qualities, even though they themselves or others may not believe it. It’s only the fears and judgements that keep these qualities from ever seeing the light of day. In a group setting, things get magnified just as there is simply more energy in circulation. People are like high voltage batteries in this regard.
I was at a conference last week and worked with a group of folks and I always find that the magic appears when there is trust and respect. It’s a beautiful, invigorating and most humbling experience which has the power to rock you off your feet if you either are one of the ‘musicians’ or simply part of the audience. If you simply engage and learn to relax with the process, regardless of the level of proficiency, this magic is ready to appear. There is a whole art to it, but in essence it is quite simple. If you ever become immune to that, you’re done and life will forever appear flat where cynicism is but the natural consequence.
I recall the adage to become as a child, to see the world as a child would. That’s not infantile – it’s a lesson in judgement.
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I had an overgrown shrub removed from the side of my home. I now have a view from my kitchen window, of my yard, that I never had. It’s quite new to see and so lovely to me. It’s really quite enchanting. I’ve been rather surprised at how much I’ve enjoyed it. I was looking out yesterday and marveling at the colors, the way the light comes through the trees and another beautiful little tree, that’s always been there, but now is so gorgeous to look at. Thanks for asking! Learning a new skill is always exciting and I agree music opens the way to a new level of reverence!
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For those of you who do not know me, I teach Yoga, and when the class is in unity a very similiar experience happens as you mentioned above. The entire essence of each student when in harmony with each other, changes and become something truly great! The joy of each student’s physical as well as mental expression becomes so uplifting, and I think that for at least that short period of time, becomes closer to the Angels, closer to what we can as humans call our “greatest potential”! All of the mundane desires of Life are lost, and the spirit is free to sore to it’s greatest heights. Individually and as the group itself. Each being carrying the other, as if we had all grown wings!
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How wonderful! There is something so amazingly dynamic and fun about playing an instrument in a group. I had a recent experience lately with a single piece of music. A friend of mine recommended a music book that was quite advanced and at first it seemed completely daunting considering my skill level. However, I love a challenge and knew that if I approached it one measure at a time, practicing and repeating the patterns and timing, I could then move on to the next. Last night, it all magically (secret: practice) clicked and Sevillana (Copla Tradicional) now flows from my fingertips with gusto into the air.
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