Treatise on the Zen of Music

The conductor by ~Brutalion on deviantART

When one reaches a certain level of proficiency in playing music, one begins to appreciate music on a unique level. It's a sense of connection and "oneness" with music, and this sense becomes an almost zen or spiritual state. It's no coincidence that there has always been a close relationship between music and religion/spirituality.

This treatise discusses the zen of playing a musical instrument and thus experiencing music through the act of playing and creating music. This may be a different experience compared to when one listens to music.

I. The Three Ensembles

There are, in essence, three main ensembles: solo, ensemble/chamber, and orchestra. The musician experiences music somewhat differently in each of these three.

The soloist plays alone, and thus only experiences music through his/her instrument alone. The sense of connection with music is a very personal one, as the instrument becomes an extension of music's soul, the vessel through which it sings. The soloist is in complete control of the music, and thus it is very personal and individualistic.

The ensemble plays in a small group, whether that be two, three, four, or more players. There is no one acting as the locus of the music, but rather, each player must understand his/her role and connect with the music of the others as a piece of a puzzle fits together. The sense of connection with music is a very intimate one, as each player must be attuned to the other players and understand each voice of the music.

The orchestra plays in a large group, with the locus of the music channeled through the conductor. Each section must play as one and every section must obey the conductor for the music to sound seemlessly. The connection with music is one of unity, as each player must be in unison with his/her section, and every section must be one with the conductor who directs the music.

A nice article, Connecting Music and Gesture, explains this idea quite well.

II. The Connection

In Section I above, the phrase "sense of connection with the music" is mentioned in each paragraph. What is this sense? What is this connection? The answer lies in the answer to, "What is music?"

Music is an art medium consisting of sound and silence. There is much variation in the sound - pitch, tone, rhythm, etc. We typically learn music through rote practice of "notes," or written representations of a particular pitch. Through the composer's annotations, we add tone, volume, rhythm, and such. This alone is not what makes music truly music. By this definition, even a robot is capable of producing music.

What is lacking is that human touch - those slight imperfections that add emotion and intent to music. When we play a piece of music, we play it as we interpret what the composer meant it to sound like, but we also play it as we interpret what it should sound like ourselves. The same piece of Beethoven or Dvorak, played by different people, may in fact sound quite different.

It takes time - years of practice - to transition from rote practice and "regurgitation" of the notes faithfully written on the score, to producing music full of emotion and intent. What is it about music that allows us to instantly gain insight into the player's mind? To understand the player's emotion? To appreciate music's intent? There has been much research into this kind of empathy - to how we feel a connection with music.

A great article is here, To Tug Hearts, Music First Must Tickle the Neurons.

III. The Zen of Music

Now that the foundation of the different ways to experience music through playing have been established, and the connection with music somewhat defined, this next section is aptly titled "The Zen of Music." I will admit that this state of zen is not always achieved, but when it is, it can leave one with a sense of awe.

Musicians can speak of "letting the music take over" or "getting lost in the music." Many minutes and even hours may go by unnoticed when one finds himself in this "zone." It is, most likely, a connection to music so close that one is touched by the music on the most personal and intimate level. It is as if the soul has become attuned, and the music is now an extension. It is a sense of peace, completion, and/or euphoria.

This zen is not unlike a sense of spirituality. As in the preamble, it is no coincidence that music and religion were, and are, so closely associated. The sense of connection and oneness can be likened to that same sense of connection some may have with God - it is on par with that very level of closeness.

Conclusion

There are many ways to experience music as a player, whether that is through a solo, an ensemble, or an orchestra. Each of these paths offers a slightly different avenue to connect with the heart of music. This connection, through years of practice and maturation of the musician, becomes strengthened and increasingly personal. Ultimately, this connection transcends to a state of zen where the musician and the music, quite literally, become one.

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