I take advantage of every chance I get to see Yo-Yo play, or watch him teach, or listen to a recording of his, or read an article about him. And in every instance, I am blown away by his openness and genuine interest in learning and collaborating with others. Several years ago, I had the privilege of witnessing a rehearsal of his Silk Road Ensemble. During this rehearsal, mainly led by the less famous members of the group, Yo-Yo admitted to having trouble keeping up with the complicated rhythmic pattern the younger guys seemed so used to executing,
In the music world, there is a lot of "fronting." That makes sense. A life in music can be tough. It seems as though many people protect themselves with an emotional suit of armor that closes them off from other people and inhibits true learning and understanding, all in the interest of self-preservation.
Yo-Yo is more open to those around him than anyone I have ever seen performing. You know what I'm talking about if you have seen him perform with others. He is constantly interacting with the other musicians as he plays. He elevates them to his "rockstar" status by including them in his performance.
But it's more than his collaborative spirit that inspires me. He also has a child-like curiosity, as though he still has a lot to learn. When many see him as the best cellist in the world, he has the openness of a newbie. What a wonderful way to be.
In the music world, there is a lot of "fronting." That makes sense. A life in music can be tough. It seems as though many people protect themselves with an emotional suit of armor that closes them off from other people and inhibits true learning and understanding, all in the interest of self-preservation.
Yo-Yo is more open to those around him than anyone I have ever seen performing. You know what I'm talking about if you have seen him perform with others. He is constantly interacting with the other musicians as he plays. He elevates them to his "rockstar" status by including them in his performance.
But it's more than his collaborative spirit that inspires me. He also has a child-like curiosity, as though he still has a lot to learn. When many see him as the best cellist in the world, he has the openness of a newbie. What a wonderful way to be.
Below is an eye-opening quote from Yo-Yo, taken from the book, Imagine, by Jonah Lehrer:
When people ask me how they should approach performance, I always tell them that the professional musician should aspire to the state of the beginner….To become a professional, you need to go through years of training. You get criticized by all your teachers, and you worry about all the critics. You are constantly being judged. But if you get onstage and all you think about is what the critics are going to say, if all you are doing is worrying, then you will play terribly. You will be tight and it will be a bad concert.
Instead, one needs to constantly remind oneself to play with the abandon of the child who is just learning the cello. Because why is that kid playing? He is playing for pleasure. He is playing because making this sound, expressing this melody, makes him happy.
That is still the only good reason to play.
Instead, one needs to constantly remind oneself to play with the abandon of the child who is just learning the cello. Because why is that kid playing? He is playing for pleasure. He is playing because making this sound, expressing this melody, makes him happy.
That is still the only good reason to play.
This interview with Yo-Yo gives us further insight into why he is the way he is.: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/10/booming/yo-yo-ma-and-the-mind-game-of-music.html?smid=tw-nytimes&_r=2&
And this article touches on the fact that sharing helps alleviate his performance anxiety:
http://news.investors.com/management-leaders-in-success/100900-350143-cellist-yo-yo-ma-focus-on-his-audience-keeps-him-playing-to-packed-houses.htm
And here's one of my favorite interviews with him--for kids: http://www.littlecellist.com/page/cellist-ma
And this article touches on the fact that sharing helps alleviate his performance anxiety:
http://news.investors.com/management-leaders-in-success/100900-350143-cellist-yo-yo-ma-focus-on-his-audience-keeps-him-playing-to-packed-houses.htm
And here's one of my favorite interviews with him--for kids: http://www.littlecellist.com/page/cellist-ma
I hope we all can wake up every day to view the world as a baby. Every single one of us has a lot to learn.
Still.
And forever.
Still.
And forever.
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