The power of music extends to the capability of opening the wise musician to reflective states and philosophical meditations. In the following ones, I reflect on the virtues that the musician applies to his own life. He is in constant search of artistic improvement, and this applies to self-improving himself. Therefore, the intent of the following words is to guide others—musicians and non-musicians—to contemplation, and through this collection of reflections I hope to trigger thoughts and reactions from the readers.
Philip Glass
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The musician’s life involves much discipline; whether it is through regular practice and tenacity, or from following conductor’s instructions. Over the course of his life, the musician builds habits that will help him reach stages of progression towards his goals.
This discipline involves a lot of patience from the musician; whether it is—similarly to the athlete—through anticipating a goal to be reached, or accepting the long journey that the will have to go throughout his life—Philip Glass is known to have waited until the age of forty before having the blessing to spend his entire time on music composition and performance.
The process of musical development involves a phase of introspection; self-questioning in order to get clarity and honesty about oneself. The musician develops humility as well as an ability in visualising his strengths and weaknesses.
Music as a medium of communication, means that the musician develops a knowledge in knowing how to speak—and how not to, thanks to Miles Davis—and how to listen. Improvisation is purely the art of exchanging musical ideas and thoughts.
For the improviser, as well as for the composer, there is a constant search for creativity and thinking outside of the box. The musician is someone who seeks progress in terms of movement forward.
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As a result, the musician is open to new ideas, finds diversity enriching, is conscious of his surroundings and finds inspiration in around him.
Moreover, the musician accepts the fact that there is good and bad in everything—and that it is all relative. What a musician enjoys might be very different from what other musicians enjoy, and he is fine with it.
The musician pursues a constant quest for being a better artist, and by doing so he becomes a better philosopher.
