|
Observations on The Psychology of Playing
Drums
by Jan Jurgielewicz IV After a year of
studying with Bugalu, I have learned many things, in fact, between the
technique to date, Bugalu’s Philosophy and Psychology of the drums (and
life), it would be enough to drop most students, and I have seen some
leave. Every week is a challenge and at times, even though I’m told by
the crew that I’m not learning or playing good, the truth is, I am, and
will continue to play better. One of the reasons for my movement from the
recent plateau I was stuck on during the fall and early winter, is the
acceptance and understanding of a very important element of playing the
drums, the psychology or state of mind while playing on the bandstand.
It probably clicked for me about a month ago at the Terrace, where
there was a week I played the drums too hard, my dynamics were bad but I
had still played and realized after that I did not care what ANYONE
thought, as up to that point, I was always worried about what Bugalu,
Kesai, Andrew, the other musicians and the crowd thought of my playing. I
don’t know how it happened or really why, just that it did. Now, I must
be honest in that this problem, feeling insecure or not being completely
in the moment, is still present at times, especially when faced with a
drum solo, the reason, I am weak in elements of the technique, knowing
this, creates insecurity, insecurity involves into poor playing and a poor
state of mind. Also ,forgetting the rigors of working 60 hours a
week, having bills, parental and spousal responsibilities, and other
mental blocks, is the most difficult challenge there is. But, when
playing the time, I am basically now, moving into the “zone”, I can keep
and play time, I’m starting to realize that I am actually pretty good at
that, this allows me to relax, therefore clear my mind of everything and
entering the “zone”. The "zone" is a term often associated with sports,
but anyone with a degree in psychology or who is understanding of how
people think, really know that the “zone” is another way to describe Flow
Psychology.
Flow Psychology is the mental state of operation in which the person
is fully immersed in what he or she is doing, characterized by a feeling
of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the
activity. This was proposed by psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi in
the 1970’s. The idea rose to prominence is describing basketball player
Michael Jordan, who admitted that at times, he felt he actually
played above his athletic ability resulting in moments of god like
performances on the basketball court.
The phrase "being at one with things" is a metaphor of
Csíkszentmihályi's Flow concept, this also happens to a major component of
Zen Buddhism, which after a year of Bugalu’s teachings, now make perfect
sense. Artists like Bugalu have taken his core religious and
philosophical principles, and with his devotion to them, they have
flowed into his daily existence which of course would encompass his
drumming, something Marvin does often.
The interesting components of Flow Psychology, include: (ref.
Wikipedia)
# Parallel, organized working
# Target group focus
# Advancement of existing one (prototyping)
# Increase in efficiency through visualization
# Existence of differences among participants represents an opportunity,
rather than an obstacle.
Buddhism and Taoism have honed the discipline of overcoming the duality of
self and object as a central feature of spiritual development, it would
make sense then that students and followers have an “easier” time of
adapting their beliefs and behavior into other art or physical forms.
Also, the religious element is not a necessity, as non-spiritual figures
such as
Michael Jordan, Jimi Hendrix, Jackie Robinson, or any other master,
figured out on their own, how to overcome the duality of self and excel in
their given fields. But the religious or philosophical practices can
guide or exercise someone into obtaining the Flow easier than an
individual who does NOT practice Buddhism and Taoism. This
concept of Flow Psychology and of one being in a zone also presents the
challenge of staying in the zone, this is where environmental psychology
and elemental physics come into play. Factors within and outside our
control can prevent one from being in the flow, but by practicing the
required skills or repeating the successful elements of a task, will
increase one’s odds of entering the zone on a more consistent basis.
The only factor which seems to take one from the zone permanently would be
time (old age w. physical road blocks) and of course death, but these two
elements aside, any human being can realistically achieve flow and enter
the "zone".
When it comes to drums (or any other activity / mastery), there are
two fundamental requirements to enter the "zone".
1.) Technique / repetition / physical practice – Having, learning and
understanding the skills required for the given activity, this could be
rudiments, shooting basketballs in a hoop, or throwing a baseball
2.) A method of achieving the mental state required to utilize the
technique or skills, relaxation and confidence. ( Buddhism, Taoism, or
some other spiritual or personal convictions play a part in bringing one
into the "zone". The exact reasons differ on the individual and the
situation or moment in time in which the individual is a part of.
Marvin, is a prime example of an individual who can consistently enter the
zone, he would be considered a prime example of flow psychology at working
in a consistent and repeatable manner. I have personally witnessed
Bugalu while sick, emotionally wronged or even drinking and he still plays
the drums, ALWAYS at a mastery level. I have never personally witnessed a
human being doing this, until now. I have read many studies and heard of
examples, but this was a first. When I mentioned this to Marvin last
week, about my ideas and observations outside of The Terrace, he looked at
me, and just smiled. Later he told me to write it down and so I am.
That being said, many books have been written on the topic and I can
sincerely thank Bugalu for helping me to understand concepts that one does
not typically think about or understand, but Bugalu’s dedication and
mastery of teaching the drums, can only lead to better things for any
student that is willing to accept, listen and learn. Personally, it is
very enlightening and yet very frustrating, as while I am slower to master
the technique than most and not able to enter the zone as frequently as I
would like, I still consider myself extremely fortunate to have figured
out and truly understand the concepts I have written about. I am
also extremely lucky to have found a teacher that works tirelessly to make
his students the best possible musicians AND people he can. SYOTBS...
|
|
Chad's Lesson With Marvin
by Chad Anderson
My
first in-person lesson with Marvin Bugalu Smith occurred on Friday, Jan11,
2008. Due to a number of scheduling conflicts, Marvin was kind enough
to set aside some time for me to travel up on that Friday to have a lesson
at his place. Coming from a great distance, I was concerned that obstacles
would present themselves in front of me that would impede my chance to
study with Marvin. The less I filled my mind with worry, the easier the
venture unfolded. This is an interesting point. As I arrived at the train
station in town, Kesai Riddick was there to pick me up. It was great to
meet Kesai finally. It seemed like we had known each other for a very long
time. As we drove up to Marvin's house, he greeted us through the window.
Everything was cool. Marvin had the film entitled, The Secret playing on
his DVD when I walked in. He and Kesai let me cool out for a few minutes
while I watched a bit of The Secret. It was great to finally meet master
drummer Marvin Bugalu Smith, and as I expected, be introduced to heavy
concepts the moment I stepped foot in the door. An Introduction to Daimoku
and Gongyo provided a widening of the spiritual riverbed through which the
water would flow more freely. The attitudes of Marvin and Kesai were
bright, like beacons. The space felt like a sacred, small area. Kesai's
drums were set up, as were Marvin's. Marvin guided me to the drums and
asked me to play a bit. In the past, when I've taken lessons like this and
have been asked to sit down and just play something, I've encountered
nervousness and mental resistance. Not so this time. The drums felt very
good to play and I felt among brothers. Marvin then began to explain and
demonstrate a number of powerful concepts, of which were the Algerian 6
rhythm, feeling 4/4 time with inverted counting in 6 to create flow, and
the 21 count roll. The Algerian 6 rhythm is profound, not only in groove
and sound, but under the surface, how it affects your nervous system.
Marvin's ability to translate the rhythm to me was flawless. I was able to
at least grasp the mechanical portion of it, even if not perfectly, Marvin
made it very easy to understand. He quickly created a drawing that
functioned as a roadmap, an infinite guide toward understanding the core
of the rhythm itself. Immediately upon trying it, I felt as though my
breathing changed and as though my internal structure itself was shifting.
I noticed that thinking about the rhythm and how to execute it seemed to
stop my flow. This would surface again later in the day's lesson. Marvin
then expanded by demonstrating a method for creating more flow across time
by using inverted counting in 6. Again, as I began counting in this way, I
felt a new kind of flow and expansion, as if someone had unlocked a series
of new doors for exploration. Hearing and feeling 4/4 time...or any time
in this way...creates a much wider and fuller beat expansion. I began to
sense that a shift in my nervous system was occurring. This created a new
looseness I hadn't known before. Following this, Marvin also introduced me
to the 21 count roll, a great musical tool that can be used to really
create that massive roll in the spirit of Art Blakey or Elvin Jones.
Moreover, though, when practiced properly, it really centers everything
and provides relaxation in the body. I really couldn't believe the way I
felt after going through it, even once. These concepts seemed simple on
the surface, but I couldn't
believe the shift that I felt internally as I attempted to play through
these new lessons. This is truth that technique is only part of the whole
picture. We took a break and watched more of The Secret and had a bit of
tea. Kesai and I then spent some time working out on the drums, trading 8
bar phrases and playing time. Having been familiar with Kesai's playing
online, I thought I knew what he could do. Rather, the longer we played
together, the more I began to see his ideas unfold and stretch.
Kesai had a powerful flow that was stronger than I expected. I frequently
found myself laughing at the creative ideas expressed. I found a new
respect for Kesai's clarity and flow. This was a very valuable
workout. We then took another break and waited on Andrew Greeney to
arrive. When Andrew arrived, again, it was as if another long lost brother
had stepped into the spot. We ordered some food and ate while Marvin
shared some stories and wisdom with us. After a nice break and food,
Andrew and I sat at the drums and worked out on the Algerian 6 rhythmic
concept. Kesai joined in on the cowbell. It was especially during this
workout that I began to face my weaknesses head on, not just with the flow
of the rhythm, but at the core...the 6. The mind was trying too hard to
understand the many facets of the rhythm, yet stopping my flow and ability
to play the rhythm, much less flow freely through it. Kesai and Andrew
both directed and gave suggestions on ways to grasp the core, the root of
it, and did so with great clarity and compassion. Marvin has taught them
well. It was during this workout when I realized the connection of all the
concepts Marvin had introduced me to that day. Everything became one. The
strength, love and compassion given by Marvin, Kesai and Andrew was on a
level of deep family. The drums are truly sacred and reach well
beyond what most people realize. However, later that night, Marvin, Kesai
and Andrew loaded up Marvin's special drums for me to use at a performance
I had scheduled that evening. They kindly transported me to the gig and
helped set up the drums. When I played the first notes, I felt an openness
on the bandstand that I hadn't felt before. I felt a warmth from the
people and a sense of love in the room that I hadn't known on that level
before. Marvin played two tunes on the bandstand and brought the room up
to their feet. Everyone was emotional and filled with joy just hearing the
music coming from the bandstand.
I wondered how I was going to be able to go back and
follow that when he was done. Marvin brought me back on and I just let go,
listened and played what
came naturally. The music seemed to flow more clearly than ever. Everyone
seemed happy and full of spirit. The drums even seemed to be tuned to the
room.
Aside from the lessons earlier in the day, I felt the heaviest of lessons
came on that bandstand watching Marvin and following him back up. All of
the teachings seemed to rise up clearly and light a pathway that hadn't
been lit. There is only so much that can be properly absorbed in one
day...and all of the teachings Marvin shared just in that one day will
last me a lifetime. But more so, it wasn't just the specific teachings
that uplifted and cleared the path, it was the clear and passionate way
that Marvin taught these concepts that really inspired me to reach out and
flow with the wave of the music, and embrace the audience, the band, and
the Ghost.
|
| A Suggested
Reading - suggested by Bugalu, written
By Kirsten Harrell Now in order for me
to take all of my students to the next level of drumming, the level that
I live on 24-7 moment to moment It’s important that each one of you
start to use your Intuition or your intuitive potential, read this and
Start to use what I use everyday in teaching you. Connecting with Your
Spirit By Marvin Bugalu Smith’s Life force on the bandstand. The key to
unlocking your full potential is to 'call a conference' with your inner
guidance.
You were born with an incredible gift –
one that is so beautiful, so profound, so magnificent that words can
only barely begin to describe it. This gift is the spark of infinite
wisdom that lives within you. It is that part of you that is eternal. It
is the core of who you are, and yet it is possible that you have not
begun to realize the full potential of this gift. This spark – also
known as your essential spirit – is the key to living the life that you
are meant to live. Making a strong and lasting connection with your
essential spirit is the key to a life full of health, happiness, and
success!
Unfortunately, due to busy, hectic lives, many people are feeling
drained, burned out, and disconnected from their essential spirit. If
you are one of these people, it is likely that it is time to go on a
spiritual retreat…a time to have a conference with your spirit. A
conference with your spirit is a planned time away from daily routine to
reconnect with your essential spirit more fully. It is a time to BE
rather than DO. It is a time to allow the energy and beauty of the earth
to wash away any stress/tension. It is a time to be quiet and still in
order to hear your intuitive voice. Perhaps, most importantly, it is a
time to evaluate where you are and where you are going to make sure you
are aligned with your soul purpose.
Even if you are not feeling burned out, it is important to schedule a
conference with your spirit at regular intervals. I recently went to
Sedona, Arizona, to have an in-depth conference with my spirit. Sedona
is one of my most favorite places in the world and an excellent place
for me to strengthen my connection with my essential spirit.
An important part of a conference with spirit is to be fully present in
the moment. I began my mindful practice as soon as I landed in Arizona.
I allowed myself to take in the scenery on the drive from Phoenix to
Sedona. The landscape changes frequently on this 115-mile trip and it is
a treat to see such variety. Then, as I approached Sedona, the highway
curved and the scenery suddenly opened up to the breathtaking red rock
vistas that are the hallmark of Sedona. It was a truly an awe-inspiring
experience and one that I will always treasure. As soon as I arrived in
Sedona, I immediately felt a shift in my energy and my mood. A quiet and
peaceful feeling enveloped me and I had a profound sense of tranquility.
I immediately felt more connected with my essential spirit.
In order to facilitate the process of conferring with my spirit, I took
time to meditate and allowed my stress and tension to melt away. I
allowed myself to feel the energy of the earth and indulged in the
pleasure of BEing instead of DOing. Each morning I took a walk on one of
the many fabulous trails in Sedona. The views of the red rocks were
absolutely stunning. Each path was different. Each path offered
something new to see and experience. I made an effort to stay present in
the moment and to take in every nuance of the experience. There is
incredible wisdom in nature and I opened up to absorb this wisdom and
connect with my own internal wisdom.
As I stood in one of my favorite places in Sedona, I had a profoundly
peaceful and transformative experience. In a clearing near the grand red
rock formation, known as Cathedral Rock, there are hundreds of what I
call stone gnomes – little piles of stones that have been carefully
stacked one on top of the other. These stacks of stones (also known as
cairns) are typically used as trail markers; however, in this area they
seem to have been built, by the many visitors, as an ever-changing
sculpture. When I stood in the middle of these little stone gnomes, I
felt like I was in the most magnificent sanctuary. These little gnomes
were all facing Cathedral Rock as if in prayer. I stood silently with
them in my own state of prayer and reflection. I knew in that one moment
that I was connected to everything in the Universe. I knew that I was
right where I needed to be in my life. What a wonderful feeling that
was!
During my stay in Sedona, I evaluated my various work activities and
commitments to see if they were in line with my soul path or purpose. I
realized that I had taken on a few things that weren’t really in line
with this purpose, so I decided to pull my attention from these
activities. Before I agree to take on something new, I typically ask
myself if this new activity is in line with my soul path; however, there
are times that I find myself saying yes to someone or something before I
really evaluate it. These conferences with my spirit, then allow me to
weed out what isn’t working or isn’t aligned with my path.
As I returned from this uplifting conference with my spirit, I realized
that I needed to renew my commitment to my daily practices to nurture my
spirit. While it is certainly easier for me to feel connected and
nurture my spirit while on vacation – especially in Sedona, I can choose
these feelings whenever and wherever I am. I am responsible for feeling
spiritually connected. I can choose to
maintain that feeling of deep peace and harmony that I feel when I am
connected to my essential spirit.
Everyone has intuitive potential - men and women. It is
a natural talent that everyone possesses. It is not something special
limited to only a few gifted individuals. As a child, you freely
accessed your intuition. Unfortunately, over time you likely received
negative feedback from your peers, teachers, or family. You likely began
to doubt your intuitive voice and shut down this channel of information.
The good news is that with a little patience and practice you can
strengthen and hone your intuition to create a valuable guidance system.
The first and most important thing that you can do to develop your
intuition is to acknowledge and honor the intuitive messages that you
are currently getting. Your intuitive voice is still there, you just
need to tune into it. Start paying attention to and trusting those
little hunches or gut feelings that you have. If you did nothing more
than start honoring your intuitive impulses, you would find a dramatic
improvement in your intuitive abilities.
1. Clearing your mind
It is easier to hear the whispers from the soul when your mind is quiet
and open. You likely have lots of thoughts running through your mind at
any given moment. You probably spend much of your day multi-tasking. All
of this "noise" makes it difficult to hear your intuitive voice. It is
important to find some ways to quiet your mind. You can't shut off your
thoughts completely, but you can learn to slow them down. Let all the
distracting thoughts flow out of your mind. Let them go. Picture your
thoughts floating away on a cloud. Focus on your breathing and allow
your mind and body to relax more with each breath. You might even try
counting down from 10 to 1 and allow yourself to relax more with each
count. Once your mind is clearer, you can then access your intuition.
2. Meditation
There are many forms of meditation and all are excellent ways to get
centered and quiet the mind. Even a few minutes of meditation daily can
increase your ability to hear your intuitive voice. Meditation is like
priming the pump. As you get used to being in a meditative state, you
will find that it is easier to hear the whispers from your soul and to
distinguish these messages from other mental chatter. If you are new to
meditation you might try sitting quietly and focusing your attention on
a candle flame. When your awareness drifts (and it will), simply bring
your attention gently back to the flame. You can also try focusing your
attention on a short phrase or word (mantra) that you repeat over and
over to yourself. Remember that the key is to gently bring your mind
back to your focus point. Getting frustrated will only interfere with
the process.
3. Imagery
You can use imagery to help you access intuitive answers to your
questions. Imagine yourself in a quiet place in nature, surrounded by
beauty and wonder. Make this image as vivid as possible by using all of
your senses. Spend a few moments simply enjoying this place in your
mind’s eye. Then, imagine a treasure chest nearby. You feel excited as
you approach the chest because you know that the answer to your question
is inside. Take a deep breath and imagine yourself opening the treasure
chest. Don't try to control this, let your intuitive mind guide you.
Trust that whatever is inside the chest is your answer. You might
receive a very clear answer or you might get a symbol that doesn't make
logical sense to you. Either way, it is exactly what you need. Trust
that if the answer is not clear right away, it will become clear over
time. Over the next few days, be open to feelings, songs, conversations,
or any synchronistic events. Be patient! If you become frustrated or try
to force an answer, you will block the flow of intuition.
4. Dreams
While you are sleeping and your conscious mind is at rest, your soul has
the opportunity to bring intuitive information to you through your
dreams. When you are working on a problem and looking for your intuitive
guidance, take some time before you fall asleep to ask for an answer to
come to you through your dreams. Be sure to keep a journal by your bed
so that you can record your dreams the moment you wake up. Your answers
may come symbolically and may need some interpretation. Look for the
emotions and themes of your dreams and see if this sheds light on your
problem. If the answer still is not clear, be patient and remain open.
You may find more clarity with time.
5. Affirmations
You can use affirmations to focus your mind. It is best to use
affirmations with some form of relaxation (such as deep breathing) in
order to get the combined effects of a relaxed body and focused or
centered mind. Affirmations are a terrific way to tap into the power of
your subconscious mind to help you reach your conscious desires.
Affirmations should be concise sentences stated in a positive way. When
creating an affirmation remember to state what it is that you want, not
what you don’t want. Another important guideline is to always use the
present tense when creating your affirmations. The following are a few
examples of affirmations to increase your intuitive abilities. I trust
my intuition. My intuitive voice is consistently accurate. I access my
intuition easily.
6. Practice
It is important to practice using your intuition. When you first start
practicing you may want to begin with small issues that do not have a
significant impact on your life. For example, try to guess who is
calling before you pick up your phone. Guess which elevator will show up
first when you are standing in front of a bank of elevators. Practicing
with these simple issues will allow you to stay relaxed and focused
without too much distraction from fear or other mental chatter. As you
practice, you will get better at recognizing your intuitive impulses and
you will gain confidence in using this skill. The more confident you
feel about identifying your intuitive voice, the more you will trust it
and be able to act on it. As you practice using your intuition and build
your skill, you will find that your intuitive voice is a precious
resource – an indispensable gift. You can use this inner wisdom to guide
you in all of your decisions at work, at home, and at play. The more you
use and trust your intuition, the stronger it will get and the more
confident you will feel about it. The whispers from your soul will
always guide
You to the path that is for your highest good.
|
