What do you think is behind the smile of this master musician? Is he:

• Happy as a clam?
• Stoned beyond belief?
• Inspired to sing?
• Fulfilled?
• Visionary?
• Dreaming of New Orleans?
• Entertaining the photographer?
• Relaxing into the moment?
• Cynical about the fawning of the fans?
• Relieved to be sitting down?
• Blissful?
• Wise?
• Innocent?
• Confident?

Click here to send your ideas about what makes musicians smile…

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Just as “Music has charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak*,” so does it have the ability to soothe the mind and heart of the music maker.

Like the bird that experiences the human equivalent of ecstasy when it sings its unique song, the musician can allow the multitude of vibrations contained in the sound of their unique music to bring pleasure to their entire being long after the music has been played.

Here is a simple way to connect more fully with the spirit behind what you hear in the music you love:

The next time you are listening to a recording of music that makes you feel great, imagine how good it felt for the musicians who made it, whether the good feeling came in the form of bliss or simply the relief of releasing an agonizing pain…

*a phrase from The Mourning Bride (1697) by English playwright and poet William Congrevesooth who also wrote, “Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned”