All the wisdom & insight via music about what slow offers. (I’ve historically avoided slow; feared it to ignore what I thought I couldn’t face and so on).
Now slow feels like the most delicious coming home. And I can’t stand being rushed, or at someone else’s pace if it’s too fast. (Working on the sweet spot of capacity for health at all speeds, but no longer placing the moral high ground with fast).
My 14 yo daughter is learning piano and uses a metronome . She’s been playing a while now and is pretty good. I don’t even know what speed she plays at, but you’ve opened up another fascinating avenue to look at what slow opens up.
Thanks Colleen! Deliberately slow practice is so helpful, and most people avoid it because it feels boring until you realize how much easier it is to pay attention to everything that is happening between the notes. I really loved Kenny Werner’s “Effortless Mastery “ when I was first committing to slow practice.
I love how the harmonies open up your tune's instrumental interlude: they expand the IV chord to include the tonic, and if that isn't the sound of summer, I don't know what is. Days drone on, with only a change in the bass note to mark the passing of time.
Thank you Jen, your observations from your music to your life, are so wise. I found the connection enlightening and made me feel thoughtful about such a basic element—how fast am I moving and why?
Hey Leslie. Tempo is a super helpful thing to tune into. I remember in college we talked about how people speak with different tempos and rhythmic patterns, and that it can be a place to watch for miscommunication- even when we are speaking the same language, if we are from an area that speaks faster and we are forced to slow down to listen to someone or vice versa it can be aggravating and we will stop listening because our brain has to work harder to deal with the unfamiliar tempo.
Such an interesting process, there are so many ways and reasons we can drift away from a conversation. Until my recent 'deep dive' into listening and communication I don't think I was as aware of the two part dance to communication. The speaker has to tune in and make sure that the listener is able to follow, or they may lose the listener. How fast am I talking and why!
I know, they're just so great- I've seen the Flecktones a couple times too- those were wild shows, and that was how I discovered Bela (UFO Tofu), but I have seen him dozens of times in all his bluegrass configurations.
Love this so very much!! 🌸
All the wisdom & insight via music about what slow offers. (I’ve historically avoided slow; feared it to ignore what I thought I couldn’t face and so on).
Now slow feels like the most delicious coming home. And I can’t stand being rushed, or at someone else’s pace if it’s too fast. (Working on the sweet spot of capacity for health at all speeds, but no longer placing the moral high ground with fast).
My 14 yo daughter is learning piano and uses a metronome . She’s been playing a while now and is pretty good. I don’t even know what speed she plays at, but you’ve opened up another fascinating avenue to look at what slow opens up.
Thanks Colleen! Deliberately slow practice is so helpful, and most people avoid it because it feels boring until you realize how much easier it is to pay attention to everything that is happening between the notes. I really loved Kenny Werner’s “Effortless Mastery “ when I was first committing to slow practice.
I love how the harmonies open up your tune's instrumental interlude: they expand the IV chord to include the tonic, and if that isn't the sound of summer, I don't know what is. Days drone on, with only a change in the bass note to mark the passing of time.
I love that observation! I’m down for some droning on- I need time to expand for me
once in awhile.
I’ve been integrating this practice because of your advice and it’s true, it can be painstaking at first but over time it makes suuuch a difference. 💕
It really does. I'm so glad you've found it. We have to tell each other what works.
Thank you Jen, your observations from your music to your life, are so wise. I found the connection enlightening and made me feel thoughtful about such a basic element—how fast am I moving and why?
Hey Leslie. Tempo is a super helpful thing to tune into. I remember in college we talked about how people speak with different tempos and rhythmic patterns, and that it can be a place to watch for miscommunication- even when we are speaking the same language, if we are from an area that speaks faster and we are forced to slow down to listen to someone or vice versa it can be aggravating and we will stop listening because our brain has to work harder to deal with the unfamiliar tempo.
Such an interesting process, there are so many ways and reasons we can drift away from a conversation. Until my recent 'deep dive' into listening and communication I don't think I was as aware of the two part dance to communication. The speaker has to tune in and make sure that the listener is able to follow, or they may lose the listener. How fast am I talking and why!
I discovered Victor Wooten because of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Seen him live just two times, but absolutely amazing both time.
I know, they're just so great- I've seen the Flecktones a couple times too- those were wild shows, and that was how I discovered Bela (UFO Tofu), but I have seen him dozens of times in all his bluegrass configurations.
Thanks for the rec! 😊