Between the Notes
The July 5, 2018 podcast of On Being features a conversation between the host Krista Tippett and the world-famous cellist Yo Yo Ma entitled “Music Happens Between the Notes”. I strongly urge the reader to listen to this conversation and enjoy learning a bit more about the depth of commitment of Yo Yo Ma to music, to revealing his vulnerability, to risk being with the audience and, if playing with an orchestra, with the members of the orchestra.
The fact that the award of which Mr. Ma is most proud is the 2014 Fred Rogers Legacy award says a lot about who the man is that has this relationship with the music he plays and with the audience. He says that “The greater purpose is that we’re communing together and we want this moment to be really special for all of us. Because otherwise, why bother to have come at all? It’s not about proving anything. It’s about sharing something.”
This conversation, once again, reminds me of what I have so often written about negative space; that space between the notes; that part of the painting which has not been painted; the silence between words; the space between the notes which determine what of oneself one brings to the note(s).
Mr. Ma used the example of Julia Childs dropping the chicken on the floor during a cooking show on television and saying, “Oh, the chicken’s fallen on the floor. Yes. Oh, well pick it and put it right back.” Julia Childs allowed people to feel comfortable stumbling their way into and through French Cooking. It was not only her talent as chef but her relationship with the process; her willingness to have fun and make mistakes that allowed many other home and professional chefs to create a French cooking and eating experience. Mr. Ma does that with his music.
In this conversation with Ms. Tippett he reveals what others I know have said about him: He is real, kind and present; a man who lives as he plays. His lack of ego along with his passion and willingness to work at his craft allows him to create an experience with his instrument which he intimately shares with his audience and the members of the orchestra.
What I do between counseling sessions; what I do when not actively parenting; what do as a friend between time spent together; what I do when I am not writing this blog determine what I bring to each moment with others.
What I do when no one is watching or listening determines the quality of my dance of life.
As Yo Yo Ma so clearly and simply states “Music happens between the notes.”. No matter what the task, what I do between the notes determines whether I play on key or off key. If I do play off key I have to be willing to “…pick it up and put it right back.”
Written July 6, 2018
The July 5, 2018 podcast of On Being features a conversation between the host Krista Tippett and the world-famous cellist Yo Yo Ma entitled “Music Happens Between the Notes”. I strongly urge the reader to listen to this conversation and enjoy learning a bit more about the depth of commitment of Yo Yo Ma to music, to revealing his vulnerability, to risk being with the audience and, if playing with an orchestra, with the members of the orchestra.
The fact that the award of which Mr. Ma is most proud is the 2014 Fred Rogers Legacy award says a lot about who the man is that has this relationship with the music he plays and with the audience. He says that “The greater purpose is that we’re communing together and we want this moment to be really special for all of us. Because otherwise, why bother to have come at all? It’s not about proving anything. It’s about sharing something.”
This conversation, once again, reminds me of what I have so often written about negative space; that space between the notes; that part of the painting which has not been painted; the silence between words; the space between the notes which determine what of oneself one brings to the note(s).
Mr. Ma used the example of Julia Childs dropping the chicken on the floor during a cooking show on television and saying, “Oh, the chicken’s fallen on the floor. Yes. Oh, well pick it and put it right back.” Julia Childs allowed people to feel comfortable stumbling their way into and through French Cooking. It was not only her talent as chef but her relationship with the process; her willingness to have fun and make mistakes that allowed many other home and professional chefs to create a French cooking and eating experience. Mr. Ma does that with his music.
In this conversation with Ms. Tippett he reveals what others I know have said about him: He is real, kind and present; a man who lives as he plays. His lack of ego along with his passion and willingness to work at his craft allows him to create an experience with his instrument which he intimately shares with his audience and the members of the orchestra.
What I do between counseling sessions; what I do when not actively parenting; what do as a friend between time spent together; what I do when I am not writing this blog determine what I bring to each moment with others.
What I do when no one is watching or listening determines the quality of my dance of life.
As Yo Yo Ma so clearly and simply states “Music happens between the notes.”. No matter what the task, what I do between the notes determines whether I play on key or off key. If I do play off key I have to be willing to “…pick it up and put it right back.”
Written July 6, 2018
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