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Post by isaacs on Feb 16, 2006 15:06:26 GMT 10
On the weekend in Brisbane Scott T. mentioned that he continued to draw inspiration from Kenny Werner's book "Effortless Mastery". I had read it years ago and had mixed feelings. I even had a slightly heated email exchange at the time with the man himself.
Anyway that comment from an artist of Scott's stature inspired me to bring the book down here and re-read some of it.
I guess I have mixed feelings still. There's definitely heaps of inspirational stuff, for me mostly in the anecdotes, which might just as easily appear in a bio.
I still find some fundamental assumptions open to question. Too many of them appear to be wholesale importations of late 20th century American New Age dogma.
For a start is effortless mastery really the only goal? Jarrett plays the piano like he's lifting a 20-ton truck. I guess he didn't get past the first page.
Also I LOATHE the affirmation shit, so 1980s (and so many feral kids brought up on this "empowerment" stuff). Apparently the way forward is to repeat over and over 'I am a great master. I am inspired". I would have thought it just as effective to affirm "I suck" and then joyously do something about it.
There's a CD supplied and you're supposed to keep saying this "I am a great master" shit while listening to Mr Werner plod out some horrible diatonic New Age chords on a less than superior piano. Effortless mastery of the regurgitation reflex here.
But no disrespect to Scott's view. Kenny Werner is a great player and there's some inspired stuff there. I just think the book could afford some serious editing.
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bod
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Post by bod on Feb 16, 2006 15:46:59 GMT 10
Reading it whilst at uni led to the bizarre scenario of striking the dog-of-a-drumset that was in the practice room and repeating to myself 'That is the most beautiful sound I have ever heard.'
I didn't believe it then and haven't come any closer to believing it since.
I like his trio with the two young scandis though.
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Post by vickijane on Feb 16, 2006 22:29:26 GMT 10
On the weekend in Brisbane Scott T. ... Anyway that comment from an artist of Scott's stature inspired me to Also I LOATHE the affirmation shit, so 1980s (and so many feral kids brought up on this "empowerment" stuff). Mark are you saying that you are inspired by tall artists? Seriously now, I agree, I find the imposed postivity/affirmation often grates. Feral kids, eh? Try dealing with their parents who seem to make up the bulk of people working in humanitarian agencies! |
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Post by ironguts on Feb 17, 2006 1:15:43 GMT 10
Did you hear what Scott.t said?
Are you sure??
Maybe things are not what they seem.
We all need something sometimes.
No disrespect.
Fuck.
God does not exsist for me.
Does mastery?
Whats mastery?
Am I close?
Fuck me.
Fuck you.
What does the book do.
Nothing?
Something?
If it does one then so be it.
Or maybe not.
It did once.
Tomorrow, no.
Is it in the head?
Fuck Off.
Answers?
No.
Questions?
Yes.
I dont presume to understand someone from a brief moment of saying they like cricket.
Whats the score.
I don't know, fuck off.
Who won?
Who cares.
Take me on.
Is that what you need.
Where is anything at?
So many things.
Can I play?
I can play ,
can't I?
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Post by isaacs on Feb 17, 2006 5:37:17 GMT 10
It's not about you
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tinky
Full Member
hello, how am I.
Posts: 230
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Post by tinky on Feb 17, 2006 7:19:00 GMT 10
I have read the book once (in a day) last year. I agree Mark, most of it shits me to tears, I did one exercise (meditation) that day. To be honest I actually liked the feeling but did not use the CD. I put the CD on and it lasted about 3 seconds.
The thing that is good about it is some of the other exercises. Sitting and playing anything at all with no ( attempted) preconceptions, the idea of playing just one note for a few days. For some people I think this might help them approach the instrument differently, definately makes a change from scales.
Nothing new in here that any explorative improviser hasn't done, but if you can get past the Godiness ( is that a word?) it may have things to offer.
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Post by isaacs on Feb 17, 2006 8:09:54 GMT 10
Yes Scott, I didn't imagine you were an unstinting spruiker for the book, but thought it was worth looking again when you mentioned it. I think we have the same view. There's definitely some really good ideas there, along with the fluff (just like my playing).
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Post by tuggsey on Feb 17, 2006 8:21:56 GMT 10
I profess to have not read this properly - I am often put off by any self-help book that has such a self congratulatory theme - and I have heard the CD - I think that sums it up really. One book that has captured me is Harmonic Experience by W.A . Matheiu - this does not pose as a self help manual but rather introduces a journey into tonal harmony - with some fantastic commentary on the way.It takes the emphasis off the "I" and puts the wonder back into the music - he also has a great book out called ""The Listening Book" which is really some great anecdotal stuff from his life as a teacher/theorist/performer.
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Post by ironguts on Feb 17, 2006 9:36:30 GMT 10
Not about me
Not about me.
I wrote about the book
Not about me.
Is it about what?
What is it about?
Listening book, havent heard it.
Read it, good book.
Not about me.
Its all about me.
Harmonic experience.
More people should get this.
This is not about me.
Good book
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Post by vickijane on Feb 17, 2006 10:09:43 GMT 10
Did you hear what Scott.t said? Are you sure?? Maybe things are not what they seem. We all need something sometimes. No disrespect. Fuck. God does not exsist for me. Does mastery? Whats mastery? Am I close? Fuck me. Fuck you. What does the book do. Nothing? Something? If it does one then so be it. Or maybe not. It did once. Tomorrow, no. Is it in the head? Fuck Off. Answers? No. Questions? Yes. I dont presume to understand someone from a brief moment of saying they like cricket. Whats the score. I don't know, fuck off. Who won? Who cares. Take me on. Is that what you need. Where is anything at? So many things. Can I play? I can play , can't I? Ironguts, you seem to have a multilayered personality, like most of us humans. Interesting reading your thoughts. Although your poem might be above your mate Catman's little round head! |
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Post by vickijane on Feb 17, 2006 10:22:19 GMT 10
I profess to have not read this properly - I am often put off by any self-help book that has such a self congratulatory theme - and I have heard the CD - I think that sums it up really. One book that has captured me is Harmonic Experience by W.A . Matheiu - this does not pose as a self help manual but rather introduces a journey into tonal harmony - with some fantastic commentary on the way.It takes the emphasis off the "I" and puts the wonder back into the music - he also has a great book out called ""The Listening Book" which is really some great anecdotal stuff from his life as a teacher/theorist/performer. I haven't read it but the book's title is unlikely to have come from the author. Many self-help books are commissioned by marketing departments of publishers. They decide the title then find someone to write it. The last helpful self-help book I read was Emotional Intelligence. Highly recommended, especially for artists. Indulge me for a moment please in an experiment: if you have reads this far down my post please send me a personal message with your address and I'll send you a CD of some wonderful music. That said Emotional Intelligence is one of the latest buzz phrase with shrinks and their followers. However, I found that book was well worth the time it takes to read it. |
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Post by barbara1 on Feb 17, 2006 13:34:57 GMT 10
masting effortlessly  |
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pk
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Post by pk on Feb 17, 2006 15:24:07 GMT 10
like scott i got something out of effortless mastery, i also have some reservations.
but i think you're kind of missing the point mark and throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
i ended up doing a masters thesis called 'Towards the Limit Experience in Music Performance: A critical survey of popular literature and methods designed to facilitate optimal music performance'. in it i compare 3 popular texts and methods: kenny werner's effortless mastery, the inner game of music, and 'flow' which is based on the ideas of mihalyi csziksentmihalyi.
i would be happy to email it to you or anyone who is interested... it is designed for musicians as something of a usable guide to what's out there and also deals in less detail with the work of a number of other authors.
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Post by Kenny on Feb 17, 2006 15:34:46 GMT 10
likei ended up doing a masters thesis called 'Towards the Limit Experience in Music Performance: A critical survey of popular literature and methods designed to facilitate optimal music performance'. Hmmmm .... catchy, simple, snappy. Look out John Grisham! |
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Post by betty on Feb 17, 2006 16:24:59 GMT 10
duz Grisham play jazz?
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