Welcome to LivingPianos.com—I’m Robert Estrin. Music, like life itself, must constantly change. You might be thinking that your music is perfectly fine just the way it is, but today I want to share a profound idea with you—one that has deep implications for both your music and your life.
The Concept of Fractals and Music
Have you ever seen a fractal image? These images are fascinating because no matter how much you zoom in or zoom out, you keep seeing the same repeating patterns. Your music works the same way. When you zoom in on your music—be it a performance, a phrase, or even a single note—you find that the expression you bring to the music is the same at every level.
Let’s take an example: you might play a piece of music and think you’ve mastered it, but when you play it again, it never sounds the same. That’s because, like life, your music evolves with you. Each time you play a piece, you bring something new to the table. You’ve lived more, experienced more, and that subtly changes how you approach your music. Your music reflects that evolution.
Your Music as a Reflection of Life
On a larger scale, your music is an expression of everything you’ve played up until this moment. The way you approach the piano, the choices you make, and the emotions you convey—it all encapsulates your entire experience. For example, when you perform a concert, the program itself is an expression of your feelings toward music and the piano. Each piece in the program tells its own story, and even within each piece, the phrases and notes are also expressions of your unique perspective.
Just as music changes with you, life is also a journey of constant evolution. You may think you have life all figured out, but as you know, life is always changing. We are never static. Every moment—every second of your life—is an expression of who you are, and it’s always evolving.
The Need for Change
This brings us back to the main idea: your music, like your life, must change. It can never stay the same, and if it does, it loses its depth and meaning. Just like a conversation, your music can never be exactly the same twice. If you try to recreate an experience, it will never feel genuine. Each time you approach a piece of music, it’s a new experience, a new opportunity to express yourself in a way that reflects who you are at that moment.
Embracing Evolution
By embracing change in both your music and your life, you allow for true expression. Whether it’s the way you approach a piece of music or how you navigate your daily life, evolution is key. The beauty of both music and life is that they are never stagnant. You can’t imitate what you’ve done before and expect it to have the same meaning. Embrace the changes as they come, and you’ll find new depth and meaning in both your playing and your existence.
I’d love to hear from you!