| We all want to be in the moment. That's where real | | | | but does not overwhelm or grow tiresome. |
| transformation takes place. For some, walking gets | | | | Any instrument can be used to create this kind of |
| them there. Others like to play sports or watch | | | | music but certain instruments lend themselves more |
| movies. For me, it's playing the piano. When I'm in the | | | | readily to it. Flutes, the harp, the piano, the Japanese |
| moment, letting the music speak, it's like the world is | | | | Koto - these instruments are often used to create |
| new again. | | | | atmospheres that linger delightfully but really do not |
| The notes flow out of the piano into the air and I | | | | want to go anywhere. Here in the West, we are |
| know that something magical is taking place. It may | | | | used to a music that must pursue an ending course. |
| last a minute or a half-hour. No matter how long it | | | | We must have a climax or a big finish or we are not |
| lasts, I know that I've been transported to a special | | | | satisfied. Like a fireworks show, it begins and ends |
| place. Many musicians know of this place - especially | | | | with a bang. |
| musicians who know how to improvise. There is no | | | | There can be a struggle between creating a music |
| planning - only spontaneous invention. | | | | that comes from spirit or making music that pleases |
| Zen music in particular has an ethereal quality that | | | | the crowd. We can be torn between pleasing the |
| seems to grow organically. It starts and ends yet | | | | ego or pleasing ourselves. To play piano in the "new |
| there seems to be no starting or ending point. The | | | | age" style is to understand a music that isn't planned |
| music just is - like a living being it just is there. It's like | | | | but allowed to become. Once this concept is |
| a fine perfume in the sense that it lingers in the air | | | | understood, the music will flow. |