All articles, tagged with “music”

Our latest multimedia innovation is designed to help people perform music with confidence. Most people who play or sing music wish to express themselves fully to others through this universal form of communication.

However, many people worry about being judged, compare themselves to others, and get anxious about making mistakes while delivering their musical message. Their focus turns away from the joy of expression to the fear of performing and being vulnerable.

A simple guided process, this brand new video was created to give both amateur and professional performers:

1. self-acceptance
2. self-confidence
3. freedom of expression
4. the idea that music is a universal language of connection
5. tools for mental preparation

For full instructions on how to use the video, go to the video’s page on YouTube and look at the description below the video.

As performers, Candice and I have used all of these techniques and experienced fantastic results. We also teach these concepts to our students. But, this is the first time we’ve organized the system in such a comprehensive, yet concise package.

If you know anyone who would like to be more peaceful and expressive while performing, feel free to share this video with them.

This video is the first installment in our brand new series entitled, GC Meditation Series. Upcoming videos will address topics like sleeplessness, goal attainment, public speaking, appreciation, exercise and health, abundance and forming an effective practice habit.

We teach our piano students how to be mindful when they practice.

What does this mean?

This means that while you practice, you may do two things to stay present and focused:

1. observe your thoughts without judgment
2. focus on one element of practice to get into a relaxed state of mind

When people practice, their minds tend to wander and the goal becomes, “I just want to get through” the music or the practice session as quickly as possible. These wandering thoughts can create impatience and frustration as the mistakes begin to mount.

The first thing to do is to recognize that you want to be somewhere else other than in the present moment. Simply acknowledge that thought as it arises. Then, just observe any thoughts that come to you like, “I’m never going to learn this,” “I wish I could play like [some master of the instrument here],” “I can’t do this,” etc.

Just allow the thoughts to come up rather than trying to resist them. As you practice observing your thoughts without judgment, you can really transform an average practice session into something more creative and fulfilling.

Next, try the following “Practice Lifelines”:
1. practice less material (work on one measure instead of two measures)
2. separate the hands (if you play keyboard, for example)
3. play slower (use the metronome to help keep the tempo slower)

Those three steps allow you to drop into a calmer state in which your mind can actually focus on one particular element at a time.

For example, if you’re playing a two measure spot with just the right hand, try doing any of the following exercises as you play. Do these steps until you feel ease.
1. play and name the notes out loud
2. play and say the fingering numbers
3. play and say the letters of notes that are unclear out loud
4. play and count out loud

Practicing a musical instrument has the power to help you become aware of your thoughts as they arise. If you have ways to bring mindfulness into the practice, you will be amazed at your creativity and musicality.

Even if you don’t play an instrument, you can see how these ideas can help you in any creative venture.

With mindfulness comes awareness that is beyond thoughts. Last week, I was wrapping up a lesson with a student in which we were applying these principles. Suddenly, I was literally drawn outside into the rain with my camera to this brilliant orange lily. I don’t usually take my camera outside in the rain and I don’t normally think about taking photos after I teach.

Here is the image that resulted. The inspiration just came and it brought me a lot of joy to just take the photo. In fact, it drew more response on our Facebook page than any other photo we’ve posted to this point.

We’re excited to announce that “Water FIlms” are now available on DVD! This two-DVD set contains over 2.5 hours of relaxing and inspiring content.

The first DVD, “Creative Inspiration,” provides a calm and focused atmosphere that’s conducive for creativity, performance or a calm, focused start to your day. “Peaceful Contemplation,” the second DVD, allows you to meditate with your eyes gently scanning tranquil yet spectacular images of nature from all over North America.

Whole Foods Cedar Center already has copies available, but you can also get the DVD at Amazon and CDBaby.

Here’s the promotional video for the DVD set . . .

You can also watch it directly on YouTube.

Peace.

This coming Saturday, May 7 from 1 pm to 4 pm, we’ll be at Whole Foods Cedar Center (in University Heights, OH), showcasing our multimedia products.

The store now carries our brand new CD, “Pianoflow.” Music from the CD will be playing throughout the store and we’ll be present with a multimedia display across from the deli. We’ll also give away a limited number of multimedia samplers.

The event is called, “Whole Lotta Love for Moms,” and will feature demonstrations and samples from Whole Body vendors along with coffee, tea and cookies.

Give Mom the gift of relaxation with any of our products. We hope to see you there!

Candice and I are very pleased to release our newest CD today!

“Pianoflow”

As you probably know, much of our creativity comes from experiences in the great outdoors.

This unique album takes the listener on a journey through nature that features the piano. This compilation includes music by Slawson, Lee, Debussy, Rachmaninoff and Liszt. Stylistically diverse, this musical journey includes classical, jazz, electronic and meditation genres. Watch the promotional video below to sample the new CD…

You can also watch it on YouTube.

For those of you in Cleveland, the physical CD is already available at Whole Foods in University Heights. If you wish to download the full album or individual tracks from anywhere right now, go to iTunes or Amazon or CDBaby! You can also buy the physical CD from anywhere at CDBaby.

More locations coming soon. Enjoy!

If you read the Studio Blog, you’re already well aware of our love for Banff, Alberta in Canada. Imagine how excited we were when we discovered that the Banff Mountain Film Festival makes a stop in Cleveland!

We attended the festival last year for the first time and we were instantly hooked. It’s a wonderful array of adventure films and video essays about people’s connection to the outdoors. We appreciate On the Edge Films for bringing this great event to Cleveland!

This year, GC Creative Studio will be exhibiting at the event. We will have our music (including the just released, Pianoflow CD) and our brand new Water Films DVD on hand!

Here are the details…

Journey to exotic locations, paddle the wildest waters and climb the highest peaks! The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour will exhilarate you with amazing big-screen stories when it comes to the Masonic Temple and Auditorium for an exclusive Northern Ohio showing on Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16, 2011.

The 35th annual Banff Mountain Film Festival travels to over 285 communities and 30 countries around the world. From an exploration of remote landscapes and mountain cultures to adrenaline-fueled action sports, this year’s films are sure to captivate.

The two-night extravaganza in Cleveland showcases different films each evening. Fridayʼs Opening Night Reception features beer, appetizers and dessert. Appetizers and dessert will also be served Saturday. Complimentary Caribou Coffee and Red Bull are on hand both nights along with prizes, raffles, samples and exhibits for outdoor enthusiasts from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

The films begin at 7:30 p.m.

Advance tickets to the BMFF are $35 for Friday and $30 for Saturday and can be purchased at Geigerʼs in Lakewood and Chagrin Falls, Century Cycles in Rocky River, Peninsula and Medina, or on-line at www.theedgefilms.com. Ticket prices increase $5 on 4/8/11. For additional information, go to www.theedgefilms.com or email info@theedgefilms.com. “Like” them on Facebook for updates at On the Edge Films.

One of the many things to appreciate about the holiday season is the spirit of giving and interconnectedness. Candice and I visited a place that embodies that spirit throughout the year.

The Gathering Place is an amazing place, located in a business park on the east side of Cleveland (they also have a west-side location in Westlake). Their mission is to support, educate and empower individuals and families touched by cancer through programs and services provided free of charge.

It is most certainly “a community of sharing and support that promotes healing and wellness.”

From the moment you enter, you are met with peace. As you walk into the foyer, you see an artistic slate of inspirational quotations and are soon greeted by a warm and welcoming staff. A tranquil waiting room (called the “living room”) contains artwork, a fountain, peaceful background music and contemplative books. The pace of life really slows down when you enter this caring space.

We were given a tour of the facilities and impressed by the number of services that are offered, and all of it for FREE. There is art therapy, massage, yoga, a gym, nutrition and cooking classes, performances, an extensive library and even a garden — an amazing natural oasis in the middle of “9 to 5 paced” Commerce Park in Beachwood.

In addition to our appreciation for such a place, we were struck by two things. First, we noticed artwork on the walls by participants in the art therapy program and even by local artists who had their work displayed. Images of nature were everywhere.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to us because we are always on a quest to commune with nature and share those experiences, but we were pleased to see so many natural images in the artwork that further enhances this healing and supportive environment.

The second thing that entered our thoughts was that The Gathering Place gives people who are touched by cancer the opportunity to experience the best things in life. I kept thinking, “who wouldn’t want this?” All of us could benefit from embodying this kind of positive, supportive and healing energy. Imagine a world in which this lifestyle is our paradigm.

The Gathering Place has further inspired us to create that kind of life for ourselves as we inspire others to give themselves that gift as well.

Click on this link if you’re interested in discovering ways to support this fantastic place.

One of the places we visited on our national parks RV trip was Glacier National Park. Out of all the trails available to us from the Going to the Sun Road, we randomly chose the St. Mary waterfall hike. We were treated to 3 hours of incredible colors, delicate forest streams, unique waterfalls that varied in intensity and bobbing birds.

This Water Film features the signature waterfall of that hike — St. Mary Falls.

The idea behind Water Films is to give people an opportunity to take a break in their day to relax and become inspired by nature. One of the most effective ways to sustain focus during a work day or when working on a project is to take occasional breaks which allow you to refresh your mental energy. As musicians, we find that taking breaks is the key to consistency and creative inspiration in our craft.

One of the tools we use when teaching people how to improvise on the piano is to have them “solo” for a prescribed amount of time (maybe one or two measures of music) and then take a planned “rest” for that same period of time. During the rest, new ideas are allowed to arise within the creative imagination. The same idea applies to almost any task that requires sustained concentration.

These short films are also great to watch right before going to bed as they relax your mind and body.

We will soon be releasing a DVD of these Water Films so people can take them wherever they like and watch in full HD.

The soundtrack of this film is called “Hiking St. Mary,” a brand new ambient electronica tune that can be downloaded at here.

Press play and refresh yourself creatively.

You can also watch it on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6gMm-a2LI4

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle

That quote is all you need in order to understand the power of establishing a habit of practice in any creative discipline. This concept is also true in sports and business.

As teachers, we see that music students who enjoy playing the most are those who manage to turn their daily practice into a habit. I’m sure that’s no surprise to you.

Getting started is the hardest part for most people.

If you wish to be more creative, have more fun and experience greater focus, choose a time each day to commit to practicing and stick with it for 21 days. For a more powerful intention, write down your plan for practice and note the time of day in which you will install this new routine.

Once you hit that significant 21st day (without missing a single day), your habit will be in place. Distractions will be less likely to throw you off track and your subconscious mind will accept this activity as “normal.” Resistance will disappear and you will be more creative.

Think about it this way.

Many students put off starting to practice until a few days before the lesson. Sound familiar?

They try to “cram” their assignment into those few days, like many students who study for tests in school.

But, here’s the deal.

The information (or the music), doesn’t stick that well when you force it in quickly. How much do you chew your food when you eat? I chew my food 30 times for each bite because it helps me to digest my food and my body rewards me with great energy and health. That simple step can work miracles for your body.

Even if you practice 7 hours in one day, it isn’t nearly as effective as practicing one hour, every day for 7 days. You need to give your mind the time to absorb and process. It does its job beautifully when given the opportunity. Plus, everything feels easier.

Why?

Because your personal assistant, the subconscious mind, becomes a very effective ally when you feed it ideas regularly. In fact, if you feed it the idea that “cramming” is practicing, it becomes difficult not to cram!

I leave you with this…

Let’s say that you walk your dog 3 times each day and all three walks add up to one mile. If you do the math, the dog will get walked 7 miles in a week, 28 miles in a month and 336 miles per year. In an effort to save time and effort, you decide to walk him 336 miles in one day.

You might get far, but Fido’s health will suffer, you’ll miss the changing details of the outdoors with each day, you won’t bond in the same way with your best friend and you won’t have the chance to be creative with your routes.

If there’s something you want to improve and it’s important to you, start making your plan today by writing it down and committing to it for 21 days.

Fido will thank you!

This has to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth! Moraine Lake is this magical aquamarine colored lake, nestled in the Valley of Ten Peaks in Banff National Park. The new Water Film below gives you a taste of this unbelievable setting.

The soundtrack is brand new music, named after the lake. You can download it here.

Press play to see why this is a place that we visit year after year.

You can also watch it in HD on YouTube