Music: What do you see?

[kayakbass]

The other night while rehearsing with a fusion band I play with the following exchange took place between songs...

Drummer: I'm seeing the rhythms over my head while we play.
Guitar player: oh yeah?
Keyboard player: I see the whole staff and all the notes and rhythms going by.
Guitar player: Wow! That's coool!
Bass player ( me ): All I see is a gorilla beating on a transmission with an axe handle.
Band: Laughs uncontrolablly

So what do YOU see?

[Honk'n_down-low]

I don't see anything it is more of a feeling - when you are locked in and communicating musically.

I have had the experience of watching myself play without conscious effort - kind like watching from a far. The Music is playing you at this point and all the hairs on your body are standing up. It is the best, when the band is in the Zone like this IMO and IME.

[Basshappi]

^^This^^

There is a part in "Rising Low" in which they are interviewing Otiel Burbridge and he is talking about the 'trance state' that happens when we surrender to the groove. He stated that when you get into "the zone" the music will play itself. In another section they are interviewing Phil Lesh and he comments that we do not create the music, it already exsists and we are permited to channel it if we can get ourselves out of way and simply let it flow.

Dispite the rather mystical, Jedi tone to these statements, I believe in these viewpoints because I have experienced it myself. It dosen't always happen, but when it does and especially when the entire band is in that "place" it is the most extaordinary experience possible as a musician.

[Lady Kayri]

I'm starting to get to the point where occasionally when playing, I can play the music and know where it's going without having to think which finger goes where next; not often yet but it's great when it happens. I'm hoping those moments will come more often and last longer the more I practice.

[jmattbassplaya]

If I see butts shaking I know I`m doing it (whatever that may be) right.

[zenrad]

Originally Posted by Basshappi

^^This^^

There is a part in "Rising Low" in which they are interviewing Otiel Burbridge and he is talking about the trance state in which he states that when you get into "the zone" the music will play itself. In another section they are interviewing Phil Lesh and he comments that we do not create the music, it already exsists and we are permited to channel it if we can get ourselves outof way.

I believe in these viewpoints. It dosen't always happen, but when it does and especially when the entire band is in that "place" it is the most extaordinary experience possible as a musician.

And this ^

When everything is working as it should, my awareness expands, the music flows through me, there is no conscious effort involved or thought of notation, rhythm, in fact no words or concepts - just music. All of the above happening all at once with no directed effort, simply an open conduit for the current vibe that already exists on some level, somewhere. It's my job to allow it to flow through me and as Phil said to just "get out of the way".

Being in the zone is an amazing place to be - sometimes it goes on for seconds on end

[Gubna]

Over my head, I hear music in the air

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2SYPzKzD94

[Basshappi]

Originally Posted by Gubna

Over my head, I hear music in the air

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2SYPzKzD94

Of course!
(one of the greatest rock bands ever!)

[kayakbass]

Originally Posted by Basshappi

Of course!
(one of the greatest rock bands ever!)

AAAAMEN!!!!! Gotta love Kings X....

[PBass101]

Originally Posted by Basshappi

we do not create the music, it already exsists and we are permited to channel it if we can get ourselves out of way and simply let it flow.

Originally Posted by zenrad

...simply an open conduit for the current vibe that already exists on some level, somewhere.

Originally Posted by Lady Kayri

I'm starting to get to the point where occasionally when playing, I can play the music and know where it's going without having to think which finger goes where next

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_memory

I knew there was a logical explanation somewhere. If you practice the same motions again and again and again, you're bound to eventually be able to repeat those motions without conciously concentrating on them.

Sorry folks, but music and groove only exist so far as our bodies use certain tools to create it. There is nothing transcendental about "the vibe", nice as though it sounds.

[MatticusMania]

When I get in 'the zone' my visual perception becomes rather blurry, then I realize that my eyes are half closed.

[Gerlan86]

Originally Posted by Basshappi

^^This^^

There is a part in "Rising Low" in which they are interviewing Otiel Burbridge and he is talking about the 'trance state' that happens when we surrender to the groove. He stated that when you get into "the zone" the music will play itself. In another section they are interviewing Phil Lesh and he comments that we do not create the music, it already exsists and we are permited to channel it if we can get ourselves out of way and simply let it flow.

Dispite the rather mystical, Jedi tone to these statements, I believe in these viewpoints because I have experienced it myself. It dosen't always happen, but when it does and especially when the entire band is in that "place" it is the most extaordinary experience possible as a musician.

That happens to me from time to time, amazing feeling.

Usually what I "see" is just massive waves of sound that crash into me and thats when I start going batshit insane

[RTL]

I'll quote my drummer: "It sounds like a Unicorn humping a golden subwoofer on top of a mountain! Amazing!"

He's seeking professional help.

[morebass!]

Getting in the groove and seeing the music are 2 different things for me.

Getting in the zone is a mental place that is relaxed yet focused on the here and now. It enables you to play well with minimum effort.

I can see music that I'm not creating. It's a mental projection/conversion of sound to visual art in your mind. I remember in the 70's we used to sit around and listen to albums and talk (and other things) and I could see Trowers guitar lines coming out of the sky like lightening. Chris Squires bass lines loomed like jagged cliffs over the sea with Jon Anderson's voice soaring above like a golden bird...you get the idea. I can still do this (without any enhancements) but I have a very visual mind. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

[ksandvik]

I don't like this 'zone states' as it sounds like robots playing and me just listening to the whole band. Prefer to be more alert and control the situation.

[MNAirHead]

I can see a complete neck and visualize the intervals.

Most bass guys look down.. I look up and smile..

[251]

Originally Posted by kayakbass

The other night while rehearsing with a fusion band I play with the following exchange took place between songs...

Drummer: I'm seeing the rhythms over my head while we play.
Guitar player: oh yeah?
Keyboard player: I see the whole staff and all the notes and rhythms going by.
Guitar player: Wow! That's coool!
Bass player ( me ): All I see is a gorilla beating on a transmission with an axe handle.
Band: Laughs uncontrolablly

So what do YOU see?

ROF LMAO

[masterfader87]

I see soundwaves but then again I eat way too much acid.

[John Wentzien]

I'm a Gorrilla w/ the axe handle type of guy!

(not a Unicorn eating moon-dust and crapping rainbows ,person)

[M0ses]

Sometimes, when the band is really jamming, we telepathically communicate to do unplanned fancy stuff. Like the keyboardist and I changing between different backgrounds during a guitar solo, or the entire band stopping simultaneously, leaving this huge gap of silence - without saying a thing or even looking at each other. Stuff that we never talked about doing or anything.

Those are the best nights of my life.