Throughout my music career, I've been blessed with some incredible lessons. One of these was the African drummer I befriended in the subway. Kwamijo (I hope I spelled his name right) had a way of drawing people in from far away with magic flow from his hands.
I asked if I could join him. He gave me a tambourine, then a cowbell. I was ok, but nothing great. So, I asked him some me questions about flow and rhythm.
After asking me a few questions he responded with "What animal moves like that?". He asked me to picture a lion walking through the jungle and started playing a beat.
I saw the rhythm, not just hear it. I saw the perfect imperfections in the Lions walk - some would call it swagger. I understood that slightly off beat note, was "correct" in the sense of natural rhythm because the lion drops his front shoulder as he walks.
He then explained that the richest music (in soul) was the one that is closest to nature. He asked me to watch water and fire dance. He asked me to watch bumble bees and nature in general if I wanted to reach people on an instinctual level. I understood this was a lesson to be remembered.
From that point on, I asked myself "What animal Moves like that?" when writing any music.
I share this with you so that the next time you sit down to compose, maybe consider going for a hike or to the beach first. This could also help break writers block.
Let's all win !!
2 people like this
The lion "swings". Love that concept! It's always good to look to Mother Nature with all art. All the colors/sounds/stories were there first. You grab inspiration from everything you see, hear, and experience. A buddy of mine told me about his first piano lesson with Chick Corea. He sits at the piano in front of Chick for the first time and Chick says, "Play me grief."
Thanks Linwood. I want to see everyone win. That's my nature. LoL.
1 person likes this
We gotta help one another, Dawg. If we don't no one else will.
3 people like this
1 person likes this
What a great way of approaching your writing Marco. Love that, will definitely consider "what animal moves like that?" from now on. Thanks for sharing!
1 person likes this
I love this, Marco Antonio Berrios! What a beautiful way to look at creating music from the world around you.
1 person likes this
Thank you Ashley, Dominic, Joanna and Linwood! I'm so happy that I was able to present something new to your brains and souls.
3 people like this
Back in the 1990s, I was visiting the nature museum in Ottawa, Canada and ran across what turned out to be my first over over 100 CDs of the series called "Solitudes" - many were just an hour of nature sounds of a particular type (oceans, forests, rivers, etc.) , while other were nature sounds with music.
1 person likes this
Linwood Bell I feel like you maybe need to write a book or offer a course or something
2 people like this
Maybe a short story.
2 people like this
Linwood Bell, Elena Maro I'm glad you're BOTH here!
1 person likes this
You're very welcome Andre! I think you're onto something. I've been rebuilding my studio, to do more broadcasting. I'm down to colab if you are. :)
1 person likes this
Marco Antonio Berrios I'm ready right now! Finishing music for a TV series pilot but otherwise free. Let's talk.
That sounds awesome Joel!! I'm glad you got to make all of that music with nature. :)
1 person likes this
What a helpful insight. Thanks for passing this on to us, Marco. Actually, it's something we can use in refining a character we're crafting who's part of an ensemble (of personalities, not instruments) but thinking that way would give them a unique perspective.
1 person likes this
It's my pleasure to share Pamela. I will be doing more of that here. :)