new frequencies
The inspiration for today’s movement directly correlates to the music, a twist on Beethoven’s Für Elise. I’ve been listening to this song nonstop since reading about Jon Batiste’s upcoming album release Beethoven and the Blues. The concept involves mixing the classical tradition from Beethoven’s time with other musical styles that didn’t exist then, a la the blues.
Part of the beauty of this approach, which Batiste explains rapturously on Tim Ferriss’ podcast (highly recommend for anyone interested in creativity, or looking for inspiration), is the improvisational aspect.
Beethoven himself was a master improviser—or as I like to call it, spontaneous composition. Improvisation is often looked at as less significant and less thoroughly rigorous than composition. The implication is that it’s unstudied, unrehearsed, out of nowhere—when, really, some of the greatest compositions in history may have been made up on the spot, having come out of decades of practice and study.1
I also didn’t know that the basic sound of the blues is just five notes — the pentatonic scale. Over time, various inflections were added to create the fullest expression of the blues we know today. This intermingling created new frequencies.
To me, this is the essence of creativity and innovation. It’s not about adhering to some rigid form because a guru or composer said so. While it’s important to revere tradition and learn the history and foundational principles of any practice, we can take what’s come before and mold it to fit our own authentic expression.
Move: In the spirit of spontaneous composition, I added a few (very subtle) twists & grooves to a basic yoga sun salutation. I’m not great at not following the rules, but this practice is slowly giving me permission to deviate.
Meditate: Open the aperture. Where is there an opportunity to combine disparate influences in your life and channel them into the world in a way nobody else can? Nobody else has the specific mix of talents, interests, experience, skills, or perspective you have.
Message: When we allow forms to evolve, we find new frequencies.
Music:
LISTEN / WATCH THIS: I consumed this entire episode in one sitting, which rarely happens — and plan to listen to it again. Felt this at a soul level. Fast forward to 1:17:40 for Batiste’s own form of spontaneous composition.
Share this post