Sometimes I feel this way about music

[jeffcrom]

Maybe old news to some of you, but I just came across this quote by Karl Wallenda:

"Life is on the wire. The rest is just waiting."

[BeBop]

Nice quote. When you say you have similar feelings about music, is that playingn listening or something else? I have a non-specific memory of some musician likening improvisation to a high wire. It's the thrill of being up there, vulnerable, completely on your own.. A thrill indeed! And it's why blowing over an Aebersold rhythm section is a whole 'nother thing than having a real P, B & D.

[jeffcrom]

Nice quote. When you say you have similar feelings about music, is that playingn listening or something else? I have a non-specific memory of some musician likening improvisation to a high wire. It's the thrill of being up there, vulnerable, completely on your own.. A thrill indeed! And it's why blowing over an Aebersold rhythm section is a whole 'nother thing than having a real P, B & D.

I meant playing, mostly - but at its best listening to music can be an equally intense, life-giving experience.

It's odd - I used to say that I got more out of listening to music than playing it. I would write, form bands, play, but the music never came out the way I wanted it to. Now, at the tender age of 55, the music usually comes out the way I intended. And when it doesn't, I still like it; sometimes it's better than what I had in mind.

I like the analogy of the wire, but Steve Lacy's "edge" means a lot to me - you play on the edge between the known and the unknown, but you have to keep pushing toward the unknown.

[A Lark Ascending]

I like the analogy of the wire, but Steve Lacy's "edge" means a lot to me - you play on the edge between the known and the unknown, but you have to keep pushing toward the unknown.

That works for listening too.

If you retain the memory of what it was to be 15 when nearly everything was new and your jaw was constantly dropping, then you're going to want to keep testing your expectations at least some of the time. That doesn't have to be newly-minted music - it might be Renaissance polyphony. Or American brass band music!

The 'spirit of delight' may come less frequently than in your teenage years, but it can still happen if you take listening chances.

[cih]

When you listen to music, everything changes - you can see it happening for people when they walk down the street with earplugs in. They might have a swagger, or a contented smirk.. just because they see their relationship with everything as altered by the music. Similarly, when you emerge from the pictures sometimes you feel a bit James Bondy

[erwbol]

Similarly, when you emerge from the pictures sometimes you feel a bit James Bondy

Shaken, but not emotionally stirred?

[JSngry]

Maybe like you just got laid by prime Ursula Andress?

[A Lark Ascending]

Looks like Keith Richards to me.