Power of believing

[liszt-essence]

Piano playing, in my opinion has always been a very spiritual thing.

Music is ofcourse, something that stirs the soul, something that comes from god directly. It's an universal language, one we all can speak. Some music is only merely entertaining, other can actually lift us to a new place altoghether, make us shiver in extacy or tremble in excitement.

When I play the piano I have no choise but become directly involved with my feelings. It is very confronting in a way. When I believe in my self, I play well.

I find that when I'm convinced of myself I play much better. To the extent that I can actually play a passage or not. By believing, I'm making things happen.  Do you have similair experiences, and how far does this go for you?

[counterpoint]

Playing an instrument needs concentration. It's possible, that one is more concentrated when one is in a state of "believing". I don't have this experience.

I would suggest to train the concentration on the actual piece. To the music itself and to the body feeling when playing (avoidance of unnatural and exhausting movements).

[faustsaccomplice]

i live by this. 

it's a misunderstood philosophy, because of the many unfortunate people who have no idea of where they stand, and are living a pipe dream through their beliefs.  but, if you are well-studied and diligent, then one has a responsibility to believe in himself. 

the way i see it, the belief must come first, then the results will follow.  waiting for some affirmation in order to believe seems backwards to me.  this, of course, can be taken to many different levels of spirituality, but that's for another time. 

the belief is also important in that as a creative person, we must be working on something.  just practicing--learning music and "getting it down" leads nowhere.  when we have a belief in what we have to say, or what music is to us, then when we develop our ability, it is a development of what we stand for, that we are becoming a truer representation of who we are. 

[liszt-essence]

Yes.. I agree with you.

'The belief' must come first, then the ability will follow.

I often communicate with spirit guides, they told me that I have to let go, release my ego programming in order to receive 'the higher flow'. The more I surrender my own will, my own thoughts and be open to receive the flow, the more all will come natural. Like this, my techniques are 'shown' to me, seem to come natural and I try to make them my own. Which is going step by step ofcourse.

It amazes me everytime, how spiritual an ocassion piano playing actually is. It incorporates something as divine as music, with technique and physical ability. So it's an integration of spirit, mind and body. The triad. In my opinion it's really a god given thing (i'm not religious, I have another definition of 'god')

And when we learn of our true nature, find this true nature, a 'higher' music will come to us, filled with love, the most powerfull force there is. (Not the juicy romantic kind of love, but the energetic warm and light energy, it's very powerful indeed) I find that If I open myself to this, more and more do not only technique and physical ability fall into place, seem to reveal them selves to me, they show me the right way for me, and I can accept them.

It's all about opening up, believing, having faith in 'god', (the universal flow) that reaches us, and will in the end completely transform us. Not just our personality but also our physical piano playing. In the end, it will feel 'just right', and the feeling that comes with this is undescribeable beautiful (I'm speaking out of a past life experience regarding piano playing)

[counterpoint]

Yes.. I agree with you.

'The belief' must come first, then the ability will follow.

Just look at Kästle, or Kastle or how his name is - does he believe in himself? You cannot believe more in yourself than Kastle does. But where is the ability...?   

[amelialw]

Yes,believing in yourself is very important.

Everytime my teacher hands me a new piece that is challenging, I simply work that way,otherwise there is no motivation whatsoever. I imagine what would happen if I did'nt believe in myself at all after what happened in my past, there would be no future whatsoever.

[dnephi]

Just look at Kästle, or Kastle or how his name is - does he believe in himself? You cannot believe more in yourself than Kastle does. But where is the ability...?   

Perhaps he doesn't believe in himself and thus overcompensates.

[lostinidlewonder]

Delusions of Grandeur never will help you in reality, but in a fantasy world it might. If your belief pushes you to learn then this is helpful. But believing you play better will not make you play better. I think I play better than I am drunk but it is not true