Poll Music For The Soul.

[Kas_Can_Fly]

I feel that sometimes time signatures and the rest of the world should be forgotten about, even the sheet music. Throw what you know out the window and let your fingers find there way across the keys as you pour your heart into the movement of music and let it consume you.

I dabble in a lot and fairly successfully if I do say so myself, but the Piano is one instrument that I can close my eyes to, play and pour my soul out. At the moment I'm learning and playing a piece called "Giorni Dispari" by Ludovico Einaudi - usually played fairly quickly, I am savoring each note and each bar and putting my own story to it. The written dynamics and recommended rhythms are disregarded and instead the music swells with my own heartbeat as I feel each note could both break it and heal it entirely. I don't play for long, just as a little fix. The ability to play comes and goes like the ability to draw, something I think is to do with the Trauma/PTSD, or possibly a medication I was put on (but that was 6 years ago).

Whether it's for meditation or an emotional outlet, for peace or for fun, who else here plays a musical instrument? What instrument do you play and what piece(s) do you like to play? Why do you play? Do you find your ability waxes and wanes around your PTSD? Do you have a favourite genre? Do you play from sheet music or your head or both?

 

[Red Feather]

I play piano and sing. I learned how to play piano with sheet music, and never really learned theory. But I improvise my own songs on the piano, without knowing what I am playing. I am trying to learn more chords and theory, but sometimes my brain does not work well enough to. If I manage to get to the piano, it always helps. But on hard days, I can't play. Also I get waves of emotions often, so it takes me getting very determined in order to work though it. I think I dissociate a lot, so I also forget what I am playing really easily.

I am really interested in this subject, especially how trauma and dissociation influences musicians. My impression is that anxiety and singing are two opposite poles, and that singing and breathing excercises can really help with anxiety. The problem is getting to the point of going through with it.

 

[SweetPeaandSunBird]

I said "yes" but I currently "dabble." A few years ago I managed to convince my folks not to donate or sell the old piano that I grew up with. That piano helped keep me alive when I lived with the family. It was witness to so much sadness.

It sits in my den-bedroom. I improvise a lot when I do sit down with her. I miss her, but it does bring up old memories when I sit and play music with her. I have to be in a good inner space to join up with her. When I do, I wonder why I don't play more.

We're two old gals, though -- out of tune but still kickin'.

 

[Whitneys story]

I believe music is a key to our soul. Piano really speaks to me. Reading music has always been a struggle.

My dad was always getting rid of the instrument's. He would get mom a piano for a present, then send it back for booze! Needless to say it was not available consistently to learn.

Amazing how a CD and good sound system can replicate a music hall if you close your eyes. :tup:

 

[winterose]

I listen to all kinds of music and play viola. Lately been obsessed with Nigun by Ernest Bloch.

 

[safenow]

When I'm able, and have access to a piano or an organ or an autoharp I play all the time. Music is part of my soul. I had to sell my beloved piano to pay some medical bills a few years back, and it broke my heart. Now that I am up and out of bed, I plan on getting a key board so I can play again. I know it won't be the same, but I am excited and looking forward to it.

I play by ear as well as by sheet music. I also write music.

 

[SweetPeaandSunBird]

Safenow, I once had an old refurbished and massive upright. I had to sell it when I moved states away, so sad. Even when you get that keyboard, if you live in a college town or some college nearby, when you do errands, find out where the music department is: there are piano lab rooms for students to practice in. Slip in some time -- no one has to know but you. Just an idea, though perhaps not practical depending on where you live.

 

[Kas_Can_Fly]

I play by ear as well as by sheet music. I also write music.

Same here, except whilst I used to compose very well and was even accepted into a college for talented musicians solely on the ground of my compositions I can't write a thing now and can rarely sustain progress on an instrument to get very far with it. It's disheartening, but even if I haven't played for months or a year, my fingers still know where to land on the keys and with a play through or two I can play the pieces again.

AJ
xx

 

[Kas_Can_Fly]

I'm just reading through the guide to PTSD on the front page and wow. I think Anthony really nailed it with this in relation to the PTSD cup.

"What else is synonymous with sufferers? They lose interest in hobbies, interests and activities? So they
remove those stressors, good or bad, to make more room. They may remove them before giving up a
relationship, attempting to make more room for the relationship stressors."

 

[SweetPeaandSunBird]

So true, Kas. Thanks to Anthony.

 

[Red Feather]

I plan on getting a key board so I can play again.

Maybe it is possible to get an E-Piano safenow? I have an old one from Yamaha, and it's amazing. It feels like I am playing a real piano and sounds like it too. :hug:

 

[safenow]

Maybe it is possible to get an E-Piano safenow?

I looked up "e-piano" and it appears to be a way to learn music. I already know how to play a piano. But thank you.

You said you have an old one from Yamaha. An old what? Keyboard?