How To Meditate With Music

In this lesson, you’ll learn to play with ease using the FiddleHed Music Meditation process.

Opening Questions:

  • Do you feel tension in your body while playing? (Left-hand death grip, hunched shoulders)
  • Hard to focus due to wandering thoughts?

Introduction:

  • If yes, this lesson will help.
  • You’ll learn to play with ease using the FiddleHed Music Meditation process.
  • The basic idea is that we pay close attention to the body as we play.
  • We’ll start with something very simple and then do more complex things. All along the way, We’ll check in with body breath in mind.
  • Show a simple technique and step-by-step framework that you can apply to any song, no matter what skill level.
  • Swallowtail Jig as an example.
  • “I’m glad you’re here. Let’s begin.”

Centering 🧘

E Drone:

  • Add E drone while playing along with drone track.
  • Close your eyes and listen to the E drone.
  • Notice your breath, body, and thoughts.
  • Hold the instrument without playing.
  • Play a single E note (D1).
  • Relax body, breath, and mind.
  • Enjoy the sound of one note; let it be effortless.

Workshop Plug:

  • Mention the free hour-long music meditation workshop on the FiddleHed site.
  • Link in the text.

Scale πŸͺœ

Swallowtail Jig Scale (E Dorian):

  • Play D1-2-3-A0-1-2-3-E0Β 
  • Maintain relaxed feeling.
  • Add simple variations (Triplets, Long short, Staccato, Other variations).
  • Play 3-note scale (E Minor Triad): D1-3-A1-E0.

Chunk 🧩

First Chunk:

  • Subtitle: D3-1-1-A1-D1-1.
  • A Part, First Quarter: D3-1-1-A1-D1-1.
  • Play single repetitions followed by a pause.
  • Notice and release tension.

Loop πŸ”

  • Play the Chunk in a continuous loop.
  • Let it groove and flow like a complete melody.
  • Pause and adjust if tension arises.
  • Subtitle: “Allow the body and breath to relax.”

Modifiers ✨

Enhancements:

  • Close Your Eyes ☺️
  • Sing πŸ—£οΈ
    • Form a mental model of the music; ultimate goal to sing with your instrument.
  • Visualize 🧠
    • Hear the music in your head (Audiation).
  • Change Volume 🎚️
    • Experiment with quiet, medium, loud, crescendo, decrescendo, accents.
  • Add Texture 🧢
    • Try staccato, tremolo, vibrato, plucking, etc.

Repeat 𝄇

Next Chunk:

  • Subtitle: D3-1-1-A1-0-D3
  • Repeat the process for other Chunks.
  • Play single reps to work out challenges, then slowly loop.

 

Thanks πŸ™

  • Return to a single E note (D1).
  • Allow the body to relax. Enjoy the sound and feeling of that one note.
  • As you play, give thanks for music and the other good things in your life.

Reflection πŸ“:

  • Were you able to play with more ease?
  • Did you enjoy the practice session more?
  • How could you apply this to other songs and skills?

—Β 

  • 1. Relax body, breath, and mind as you play..
  • 2. Maintain relaxed awareness during complex practice.
  • 3. Apply this process to any song at any level.

Learning steps

 

Two ways I can help you on your fiddle journey 🎻

  1. Sign up for the Free Two-week Trial.Β You’ll get full access to all courses and group lessons. Plus, I’ll send you some free lessons tailored to your current skill level.
  2. Sign up for the FiddleHed newsletter below, then get high-value tips and lessons delivered to your inbox.

Further learning

 

Return to the Blog >>

Leave a Reply