Yes, yes, yes and YES! :-) Dr. Taylor's experience is extremely similar to one of the classic shamanic initiations (as you undoubtedly already know) - illness/near death experience. I can't wait for the next, and future installments, as you get into the actual science. I have always thought there was a real science underlying the historically "shamanic"/"spiritual"/"supernatural" experiences, and I don't believe that brain malfunctions or mental illness is the basis for that science. There is something much deeper here, something old and fundamental to our lineage as living beings on this planet. I don't like the term "supernatural", because that is just a term we use to describe some science beyond our grasp (or that we are just beginning to grasp). I sense something deep and profound about you releasing this information at this time and in this way. Something synchronistic and beyond just its relevance for me, personally. It is like a fluttering inside my body when I read the installments. I have learned to trust that sense and follow it. I suspect it is the stirring of the unconscious/subconscious/collective consciousness to signal that something important is being conveyed. Thank you!
Ted - this chapter is so mind provoking. When I play piano at a dementia center, I see patients who can’t recognize their own children sing along to “Over the Rainbow.” They instantly groove to the “Take Five” riff. The fun part is when I ask “What song do you want to hear next?” And sometime invariably says “How about ‘Over the Rainbow!’ “ - which I had just played.
Ted my personal experience as an artist tells me that there is even more to it during the creative process and it doesn't need to forcibly be something that happens just with music but with other artistic disciplines as well. I call it "The Materialisation Of The Abstract Form".
I'm slowly putting into words what I mean by that in my "Lower Иotes" publication.
Please give it a read. I think there is much to explore in what I'm presenting and I would be definitely very pleased for the opportunity to discuss it with you.
This article may be your most brilliant yet...at least since I've been reading your blog ;-). I too was captivated by the Bolte Taylor TED talk. I too am fascinated by the brain hemisphere integration required for music performance.
The context that presents this most clearly is when sight-transposing. I find that notes (symbols-- right brain) transpose easily, whereas chord notation (left brain) takes extra effort.
You are right on the money with the stuff they don't teach you in music school. Despite being a conservatory graduate (and 2001 alum of the year ;-) I am totally with you regarding the state of today's musician. Clearly we must bring more to the table!
I'm presenting a course called Metaphysics of Music at Las Cuevas del Ilaló, in Ecuador, next August. The objective is to present precisely the type of approach you are recommending.
Today's professional musician is between a rock and a hard place, caught between an era of changing paradigms. Most are still trying to fit into the old paradigm that no longer exists. But the new paradigm is yet to be born. And this is why we must create it. Now.
I am ENJOYING this so very much! I read almost everything I can about neuroscience and music. My own health journey has been made so much better with time, treatment and MUSIC as an everyday occurrence. Your word skills promise more excitement to come.
I came across this late, and have to jump in to praise you, Ted, on how you have synthesized and shared this.
There are large ramifications for how we have enabled this Left/Right split to widen, and how the left brain analytics have absorbed not just business and technology, but how society and media have come to compartmentalize culture and the liberal arts.
On the opposite side of the divide, immersive cultural and even political activities drive into passion and some sort of transcendence that can be free of facts or critical analysis.
We need both sides of our brain to craft a holistic life. Our current society and systems of living and government are struggling with "both" and in the process, struggling with the ability to support peace and joy.
As a scientist I know the importance of left sided thinking. It wasn’t until mid to late career that I realized that numbers and facts alone are not enough to move science forward. The right side is critical to the creativity needed to be a scientist. I am an advocate for STEM, but I am also and advocate for the arts (music, art, literature etc.) as part of a STEM program.
This is an excellent article. It's interesting to note that music is vibration and at a micro level our whole universe is vibrating. I'm wondering if music and words, as vibration, have the power to change and transform not just our bodies, but the whole universe.
Yes, yes, yes and YES! :-) Dr. Taylor's experience is extremely similar to one of the classic shamanic initiations (as you undoubtedly already know) - illness/near death experience. I can't wait for the next, and future installments, as you get into the actual science. I have always thought there was a real science underlying the historically "shamanic"/"spiritual"/"supernatural" experiences, and I don't believe that brain malfunctions or mental illness is the basis for that science. There is something much deeper here, something old and fundamental to our lineage as living beings on this planet. I don't like the term "supernatural", because that is just a term we use to describe some science beyond our grasp (or that we are just beginning to grasp). I sense something deep and profound about you releasing this information at this time and in this way. Something synchronistic and beyond just its relevance for me, personally. It is like a fluttering inside my body when I read the installments. I have learned to trust that sense and follow it. I suspect it is the stirring of the unconscious/subconscious/collective consciousness to signal that something important is being conveyed. Thank you!
Ted - this chapter is so mind provoking. When I play piano at a dementia center, I see patients who can’t recognize their own children sing along to “Over the Rainbow.” They instantly groove to the “Take Five” riff. The fun part is when I ask “What song do you want to hear next?” And sometime invariably says “How about ‘Over the Rainbow!’ “ - which I had just played.
Ted my personal experience as an artist tells me that there is even more to it during the creative process and it doesn't need to forcibly be something that happens just with music but with other artistic disciplines as well. I call it "The Materialisation Of The Abstract Form".
I'm slowly putting into words what I mean by that in my "Lower Иotes" publication.
Please give it a read. I think there is much to explore in what I'm presenting and I would be definitely very pleased for the opportunity to discuss it with you.
Many thanks, Daniel
The Gould Bach has made my day -- a hundredfold. How beautiful and uncanny.
This article may be your most brilliant yet...at least since I've been reading your blog ;-). I too was captivated by the Bolte Taylor TED talk. I too am fascinated by the brain hemisphere integration required for music performance.
The context that presents this most clearly is when sight-transposing. I find that notes (symbols-- right brain) transpose easily, whereas chord notation (left brain) takes extra effort.
You are right on the money with the stuff they don't teach you in music school. Despite being a conservatory graduate (and 2001 alum of the year ;-) I am totally with you regarding the state of today's musician. Clearly we must bring more to the table!
I'm presenting a course called Metaphysics of Music at Las Cuevas del Ilaló, in Ecuador, next August. The objective is to present precisely the type of approach you are recommending.
Today's professional musician is between a rock and a hard place, caught between an era of changing paradigms. Most are still trying to fit into the old paradigm that no longer exists. But the new paradigm is yet to be born. And this is why we must create it. Now.
Thanks Ted.
I am ENJOYING this so very much! I read almost everything I can about neuroscience and music. My own health journey has been made so much better with time, treatment and MUSIC as an everyday occurrence. Your word skills promise more excitement to come.
I came across this late, and have to jump in to praise you, Ted, on how you have synthesized and shared this.
There are large ramifications for how we have enabled this Left/Right split to widen, and how the left brain analytics have absorbed not just business and technology, but how society and media have come to compartmentalize culture and the liberal arts.
On the opposite side of the divide, immersive cultural and even political activities drive into passion and some sort of transcendence that can be free of facts or critical analysis.
We need both sides of our brain to craft a holistic life. Our current society and systems of living and government are struggling with "both" and in the process, struggling with the ability to support peace and joy.
I've been listening to McGhilchrist talk about these hemispherical differences lately, so this piece landed perfectly with me. Thanks!
Thank you for this Ted. I'm going to dig into this. This validates so many experiences that I have had.
I never really knew why, when I get behind my drum kit, it feels like the first time...
Oh man I love this. So glad I found you here Ted! 🙏 🎶
As a scientist I know the importance of left sided thinking. It wasn’t until mid to late career that I realized that numbers and facts alone are not enough to move science forward. The right side is critical to the creativity needed to be a scientist. I am an advocate for STEM, but I am also and advocate for the arts (music, art, literature etc.) as part of a STEM program.
You are onto something Ted!
So. Much. Good. Stuff. Here. Thanks for this fascinating read. Will need to sift through it again.
This is an excellent article. It's interesting to note that music is vibration and at a micro level our whole universe is vibrating. I'm wondering if music and words, as vibration, have the power to change and transform not just our bodies, but the whole universe.
> Somebody needed to bring Ted back to reality and pronto.
Haha, not me! I love that mystical woo-woo stuff. But the science part is interesting too :-)
Really, this is thoroughly fascinating. Eager for the next installment!
This is another gem. Thank you, Ted!
Amen! How we all SOOOO need this, thanks!