Playing by Ear

"Reading music" involves the mind.

I can do it.  I did it for years.

And I am so grateful that I have that option and ability.

However:

"Playing by ear", for me, is nonthinking.

It comes from a different place--

from a mysterious awareness of what note comes next--

while trusting that

--yes, even knowing that--

there's just no messing up.

It is flowing from somewhere

that is not my mind

(from spirit or sheer presence in the moment),

where each note, each song

follows the next without me having to even

consult a "knower".

I have played life both ways.
So much of the time, I am reading the "music"
--thinking, figuring, understanding,
discerning, and using my mind to make sense of
what is going on "on the pages of my life".
Thank goodness for the option and ability to do so.

But I think I've also played much of my life
"by ear",
relying on the same reservoir of "next" that provides
the notes I play on the piano without
dependence on
written music scores.

When asked how I "do that"--
play the piano by ear,

I find the question quite interesting.
Where does it come from?

How do you do it? How do you know? 

I can't explain it.

I just know.

 It just happens when I touch the keys.

What if I intentionally, consciously set about to
play the rest of my life
by ear?
(by faith?)
God knows the more I try to find the right music,
play it exactly as written by someone else,
get it right,
and then lose my joy in the process,
I find no peace.

Hmmm...
The Music of Life
is happening right now.
Returning to old songs,
and trying to play them in new times,
when the pages have already turned,
just keeps me from hearing and trusting
the music in my
heart.