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In my life as I live it we are all teachers and students. In my Tai Chi class there is a constant sharing of ideas and experiences. This is Daoism - the Circle. Others prefer the Confucian hierarchial view of life.

Confucius would often also say:

It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.
Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.
Life is really simple, but men insist on making it complicated.
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
Never do to others what you would not like them to do to you.
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.
Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.
Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.
Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.

The Confucian hierarchical philosophical model was adopted by Chinese Emperors and Royalty to instantiate their power and wealth. Hierarchies, as a theme, almost always revolve around economic power and wealth. Daoism wasn't a huge favorite of the Chinese ruling class. Being a Libra, I'm naturally inclined towards fairness and equality.

Outstanding! Really like the recap.

Glad it is helpful!

This is exactly what I was looking for. Some new ideas in a fun environment. Fits my personality.

I go hot and cold on Josh Wright's videos. His older ones seemed to be too mechanical to me. I'm more about energy and imagination. His latest one I feel had some interesting new ideas. As he matures he seems to be moving from pure mechanical approach to a more energetic feeling approach including some thoughts on audiation.

I enjoy the majority of Josh Wright's videos.

Using the breath. Irina Gorin begins to describe this at around 12:00. Absolutely fundamental to all arts.

I just received an email offer from PCA for three months for $94 which I consider reasonable and one which I may use. Three months is especially good if you want to familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of this piano method. If you are considering this method you may want to inquire with their customer service as to whether this offer is available to you. It is the best offer that I've seen since I first began using this service.

A seemingly relevant book to this thread.

Thanks Tyrone. I had a look at it in Amazon and purchased the Kindle Edition. They gave me a discount but it looks to bed well worth the $7.99 full cost as a basic reminder of how to make and enjoy music. Thanks again!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082XLFLLQ?pd_rd_i=B082XLFLLQ&storeType=ebooks

I bought the Kindle version too and got a $3 discount. I'm interested in reading the author's take on this.

I decided to start the PCA online course with the New Year special I mentioned above. I am taking my time reviewing from the beginning of Part 1b. I find that I can never spend too much time on the fundamentals and this course does a terrific job of gradually building skills of all types for both hand as opposed to the tune/chord approach of Alfreds. For the time being I'll continue to supplement with a Skype lesson on an ad needed basis. For me it's mostly observing/listening and repeating until I am making the music that I feel good about. Lots and lots and lots of repetitions.

Sounds great. Keep us updated.

I spend a good amount of time watching YouTube video demonstrations of all types of arts. Yesterday I watched Claudio Array for inspiration for connecting the spirit to the music.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=pEMViAPLyrI&t=3m

Very interesting video. Thanks!

I imagine myself channeling his spiritual connection. 😊

In regards to playing "technique", I do not attempt to "copy" any specific technique, since everyone's spiritual energy is different. The energy "flows" differently for everyone. This is one of the major reasons I do not have a teacher who will most assuredly try to teach me to play in a certain manner. Relaxed fliw is what I imagine and then allow that flow or gesture to act on the keys.

In my current practice, which is focused on the first few pieces in Book 1b, I try to imagine the music flowering through me from my mind into n the piano. This is by no means automatic. I practice a shirt piece hundreds of times and then hundreds more. I don't seek perfection but rather I see spiritual flow, my spiritual flow. And this changes over time. At times I catch myself trying to copy technique and then I stop and relax back into my own flow. In this manner all music is equal for me. It is very interesting to explore the depths of my soul, borrowing the words of Arrau. These two ideas I learned first from Tai Chi practice: energetic flow and patience.

Too many typos in the last post, so I'm correcting.

In regards to playing "technique", I do not attempt to "copy" any specific technique, since everyone's spiritual energy is different. The energy "flows" differently for everyone. This is one of the major reasons I do not have a teacher who will most assuredly try to teach me to play in a certain manner. Relaxed flow is what I imagine and then I allow that flow or gesture to act on the keys.

In my current practice, which is focused on the first few pieces in Book 1b, I try to imagine the music flowing through me from my mind into the piano. This is by no means automatic. I practice a short piece hundreds of times and then hundreds more. I don't seek perfection but rather I seek spiritual flow, my spiritual flow. And this changes over time. At times I catch myself trying to copy technique and then I stop and relax back into my own flow. In this manner all music is equal for me. It is very interesting to explore the "depths of my soul", borrowing the words of Arrau. These two ideas I learned first from my Tai Chi practice: energetic flow and patience.