Cultural Fusion Interviews

"A god can do it. But will you tell me how a man can penetrate through the lyre's strings?" Ranier Maria Rilke

I have had the opportunity to participate in Yvette Dubel's Cultural Fusion BlogTalkRadio Internet show during the past few months. Here are the three interviews/panel discussions I have done.



Blessings,

Eduardo Martinez

What participants are saying about The Sound Gathering sound & drum circles...

“This sound circle is far more than simply beating a drum. It is beating the rhythm of our humanity & common core in all. I enjoy your easy nature; you seem to really be attuned to the participants’ needs, open to questions as well as great sharing of your knowledge. I am getting those good vibrations. I enjoyed the deep connection with all in the circle, a great uplift from cellular buzz to laughter, the clearing & inviting rhythms turning into something else, & learning about toning.” Jan G., Amherst, NH USA

“Fabulous learning opportunity, Eduardo. I couldn’t be happier to have met you & played with you. I learned new beats I then have used at home in ritual. I feel so balanced & peaceful afterwards, more my true self as I go back into the world. Thanks for sharing your gifts & wisdom. I enjoyed toning, singing each other’s names & the Heart Beat [sequence]. You are poised, have a great sense of humor, a wealth of knowledge, are kind & generous. You’ve got a fan :-)” Deborah Fay D’Onofrio, past coordinator of the Full Moon Drum Circle at the UU Church in North Andover, MA USA

“I enjoyed the free drumming time after the rhythm is set. You have a calmness, presence & offer clear explanations.” Stephanie Rutt, owner of Tree of Life Interfaith Fellowship, Amherst, NH USA, one of our current circle locations.

“I felt peaceful, calm, & [a sense of] releasing. I enjoy the music, the drumming, the singing, the way you vary what we do, your knowledge, talent, the way we are all participants & share with one another. Thank you! I love coming to our sound & drum circle.” Clare S., Amherst, NH USA

“The space between my cells expanded & felt cleansed. [I enjoyed] allowing my body to just “be.” I enjoyed your gentle guidance & the healing power of the circle.” Barbara T., Amherst, NH USA

“The drum circle helped me out mentally & emotionally. It seemed to be very therapeutic once I figured out the rhythm. I loved it when we went from the basic rhythm to improvising. I really enjoyed all aspects of tonight’s circle, how you conducted the circle by the subtle leading of the tempo & beat, incorporating little lessons on how to use your hands on the drum.” Bailey W., Amherst, NH USA

“I was excited to participate. I find drumming to be fun, calming & relaxing. You are kind, warm, friendly, accepting.” Elaina, Derry, NH USA

“I love drumming & definitely benefited emotionally, physically (quite the workout) & mentally as it helps energize me. [I enjoyed] the rhythm; it speaks to my soul. I find balance & peace in this sound circle. You are open, accepting, a great teacher, easy to follow, non-judgmental.” Diane C., Derry, NH USA

“I enjoyed the brief explanation of the origins & meaning of the beats. The sound circle was very well done. I loved how you encourage participants to be creative. I’d like to learn & experience more! The sound circle was very relaxing & certainly had a calming effect.” Michelle M., Derry, NH USA

“You have a gentle & spiritual energy. I felt free to drum… This sound circle was very grounding. Perfecto!” Carol T., North Andover, MA USA

“My heart beat was lowered; my mind/thoughts quieted… I enjoyed your guidance using rhythms in the first hour. I enjoyed the sound circle because of the resonance of the energy, the places the sounds touch in me…” Carole L., North Andover, MA USA

“I enjoyed dancing. Nice social interaction doing group things. You are very gentle & personable. I enjoyed the singing of each other’s names, the back massage, the vocal parts… Nice variety of activities.” Sherry L., North Andover, MA USA

“[The sound circle’s] variety was great. As a novice I need exposure to lots of ideas & techniques to grow. Loved the gentle Heart Beat, the contemplative feelings & sounds…” [Eduardo] is gentle, knowledgeable, spiritual & patient. I loved combining spiritual expression & vocalizing with learning drumming techniques. Chanting our names was very moving & opening.” Denise V., North Andover, MA USA

“I enjoyed the physical release: wrist pain, gnawing in my stomach, knee pain, were tonight specifically relieved. I also enjoyed the laughter, the instruction, plus the attitude “that it’s all good,” open & safe for all to experience. I enjoy your personality, ease, feeling of comfort, professionalism & knowledge. I am glad that the circle is free range & easy to blend in without feeling as though anything is wrong. Very comfortable [sound circle], no pressure, fun & informational as well as experiential.” Amy W., Amherst, NH USA

“I have relaxed with the gatherings. I enjoy both the drumming & toning, & your ability to adjust with each situation in the group. I have really enjoyed it & learned a lot being in the circle. And feel it is very healing. This circle is amazing. I am glad I have been a part of it.” Victoria A., Amherst, NH USA

“Love it when rhythm connects us all. All was clear & nicely guided. ” Szerja S., Amherst, NH USA

“It felt wonderful to be drumming. You are very friendly & easy going.” Mary D., Amherst, NH USA

“I de-stressed, warmed up, relaxed & felt my energy raising. [I enjoyed] the free drumming & the relaxing post massage. You have an informative but relaxed manner. I’ve enjoyed your circles very much. For me they are more grounded & comfortable.” Susan H., North Andover, MA USA

“Emotionally the circle was very uplifting. Great energy to share. I loved the energy of being a part of this circle.” Cindy H., Amherst, NH USA

“[I enjoyed the] connection with spirit.” Dana G., Amherst, NH USA

“[The sound circle] was fun.” Gerry M., Derry, NH USA

“I enjoyed the healing, the feeling of peace & your calm nature.” J. R., North Andover, MA USA

“The sound circle made me focus. I enjoyed [Eduardo’s] knowledge of the background of music.” Bob F., Amherst, NH USA

“I feel more grounded & I do love to drum… It makes me happy... I enjoyed listening to your beautiful voice & learning new sound healing modalities.” Pam, Amherst, NH USA

The Spiritual Significance of Music

"Believe in your dreams & they may come true; believe in yourself & they will come true." Unknown

Music has the ability to lead us in transcending time and space. It connects us with something larger than ourselves. Creating or listening to music is an exercise in stepping out of ordinary time into magical time and space. As co-creators we can access this magical state. Similar to the alchemist of previous ages, today’s musician transmutes simple and readily available raw materials, notes, silence, and time, to weave a much more valuable tapestry called music. The listener is equally transported when listening to such music. In a way, the musician also transcends reality and achieves a certain degree of immortality by having contributed to the harmonious sounds in our universe.

Music can help us to connect with our hearts and souls in a way that our intellect can only hint at. Blaise Pascal, the 17th century philosopher and mathematician, said: “The heart has its reasons, of which reason knows nothing.” Musicians choose the language of music to express that which cannot be accessed via words or the intellect. Ancient philosophers also studied music and recognized that it held the secrets for understanding ourselves and the universe around us. This includes a deeper awareness of the physical world as well as our own spirituality. Just feel your heart strings being gently pulled when listening to or playing a song you hold dear.

The musician can also use music as dharma, or virtuous path, as it shows us discipline, dedication, love, and beauty. The pursuit of beautiful music is an evolving ideal, one that the musician knows well and will never reach absolute perfection with, but is a better person for having tried. The musician also has a sacred responsibility to use music in ways that are uplifting and inspiring. Music is a tool imbued with the intent and energy of the composer and the performing musicians, and its impact on its audience is the message carried by these intentions. A great power and a great responsibility indeed!

I am always in awe of the immense power of music in connecting us in meaningful and spiritual ways. Music highlights that which is common within all of us, while it seems to wash away those things that seemingly separate us. When I lead improvisational sound and drum circles, I rejoice watching experienced musicians and beginners alike, creating beautiful sounds together. The smiles are priceless. Music and music-making belong to everyone, not just the chosen few. Most indigenous societies through time have understood this, and practiced music as a community activity.

On a personal level, my music and my spirituality are one and the same. I have chosen music as my vehicle to express that which is within my spirit and soul. I practice meditation before sitting down to compose and play, as I feel the depths of my being connecting to a higher power. Even a simple note has the ability to bring a tear of joy to my eyes. More than it being “my music,” I feel I was just able to tap into that endless stream of sounds and energy that is always around us, and listen to a few notes and silences passing by. The music I share is what I was able to listen to, and now pass on to others. Music IS my meditation, a mirror reflecting my connection to myself, to others, and to the Universe.

(Note: This interview is featured with many others from around the world, accessible for free at: The Spiritual Significance of Music website)

The Sound Gathering Recordings

(Update 9/15/09: I have now placed an audio file player directly on this website/blog with my recordings, so you'll be able to find everything right here.)

I have now added a link to the right of this post, titled TSG Recordings @ Wellness thru Sound & Music (or click text), with past recordings made at a The Sound Gathering sound & drumming circle. Some/many of you were present during this recording in 2002, at the Illuminations bookstore, in Westford, MA, USA. I also uploaded one of my music pieces, titled "Serenity", for your enjoyment.

The Wellness through Sound & Music is part of the Healing Music Organization, & now they have this website as a social/networking site. It allows me to upload many more audio files, & much larger, than let's say MySpace, so I'll be using each for slightly different purposes. Watch out for more music postings.

Blessings,

Eduardo

Fostering Creativity: The MacDowell Colony

I had the opportunity to attend the MacDowell Colony’s Medal Day & Open House this past Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008. It was an amazing opportunity as the MacDowell Colony is only open to the general public once a year, including the artists’ studios. The colony, which resides in Peterborough, NH, is an artist colony, where artists from various disciplines, & from all over the world, apply for residencies of between three to eight weeks in length. Financial assistance is even offered to those that couldn’t otherwise attend.

This was a serendipitous day trip for me, as I engage often in thinking & researching creativity, & what fosters it, in my own music & artwork, as well as the work of others. I have noticed that creativity cannot be “forced” to happen, but there are certain elements that can foster it: time, space, financial means, an emotionally nurturing environment, amongst others.

The elimination of distractions is another element. I visited around 15 artist studios on Sunday, & invariably heard often that one of the biggest advantages of being in the colony was the elimination of such time wasters as TV, & access to the internet. The residents do have access to the Internet in the main hall, but not in the studios themselves. I for one, have notice this in my own creative life, where having internet access is a blessing, if used effectively, or a potential timewaster if used unchecked (endless email anyone? :-).

Another interesting fact about the colony is that its tax-exempt, non-profit status was legally challenged a couple of years ago by the Peterborough Board of Selectmen (local town government), looking to collect property taxes from the colony. The high court system as well as the New Hampshire Supreme Court sided with the colony, stating that their work of offering artists residencies was of benefit to the local society, as well as society in general. Indeed, art is essential to our society’s well being, they stated. The residents often end up working/playing with local residents & organizations, exposing them to the various aspects of their art, & even performances.

My focus was of course the studios of the various composers presently at the colony. Of note, Michael Klingbeil had also created some custom computer software to analyze & modify recorded sounds, called “Spear”, which I found very interesting & have started using. Michael offers the software as a free download. Thanks Michael! Download directly from Michael’s website.

Blessings,

Eduardo