Egoic musical inspiration

This is the third of the three levels of musical improvisation. It is the inspiration which derives from the creator's own ego and from the models he sees around him in the world and from his subconscious (not his superconscious) mind. This is the level of self-expression of the talented artist who may achieve unusual levels of virtuosity without being truly inspired. It does not involve the constant contemplation of the musical models awakened within.

For the listener, only when listening is concentrated unbrokenly on the music does he enter into an experiential phase comparable to this third degree of creative inspiration. He then shares in the personality of the composer by means of responses which may be visceral, emotional or mental. Visceral, body-music is best experienced by actual participation in movement and gesture, reaching a peak of subtlety when empathetic feelings dance with the music. Heart- music grips the emotions, which at its best refines and ennobles them by a process of entrainment. Head-music draws a response from the critical intellect enhancing the capacity to understand and evaluate musical forms. Listening with a combination of bodily, emotional and thinking responses provides a rich and rewarding experience.