Getting to the root expressive inhibition to become fluent

In this video, I explain why fluency can be so elusive, even for students who grasp the model and practise focusing on it. Music expresses inner feelings and we often believe that the permission to express them is denied. We can feel embarrassed, silly, or we might just perform over them inauthentically. To become fluent in any language requires that we express ourselves unselfconsciously. Music is no exception.

The Primary Blockage to Flow

Flow is not a conditional state based on an outward result but rather a deep, powerful, inward feeling that exists naturally at all times. We just need to access it directly. Accessing this inner feeling in all that we do is the goal or path of life.

The ego shoots for a different goal – not an inner one but an outer one. It seeks measurable, predictable, repeatable material results (control), which is a persistent distraction from our true goal of feeling flow on the inside. The error that good results create good feelings keeps us focused on those results – the wrong goal. In reality, the inner feeling of flow can include things that the ego thinks are insufferable; but love and kindness are feelings that depend on loss and sadness, even pain. Compassion, the heart’s primary feeling, needs us to acknowledge the shadow of vulnerability. So, we just need to feel whatever is truly there inside, and perhaps even better, express that feeling naturally.

With practice, we can access the inward, flowing, natural feeling just by stopping and tuning in (meditation), and also through many outward pursuits. Music is especially powerful for accessing and expressing inner feelings. However, practising anything can trigger the ego: our goal becomes doing it well to achieve good or perfect material outcomes. We’ve missed our true goal of inner flow and are left in an emotional state of fear and hunger, feeling insecure, pressurised, inadequate, and demoralised. The comfort, satisfaction and approval that achieving good results promises are never felt very deeply inside, and the hit of these very superficial emotions is very short-lived and addictive.

So we must LET GO of our ego gremlins’ goal of achieving good material results. Letting go also encourages us to feel DEFIANCE, which is a really great feeling – an emotion that transcends fear, shame and anger. Of course, when we feel good inside, favourable material outcomes appear as natural by-products, but don’t let them seduce you into making those results your goal. Defy those gremlins!

Two kinds of creativity: Aesthetic or True Expression

In this video, I explore two very different kinds of artistic creativity: aesthetic creativity and what I call true creativity. Aesthetic creativity is driven by stylistic manners, clever inventiveness, under the supervision of the critical mind. True creativity, on the other hand, comes from a deep, feeling and perhaps even spiritual place — the soul.

These two forms of creativity are not necessarily opposed, but they are different in essence. One can create amazing, excellent, inventive work from the top down — but true artistic power often comes from surrendering to something much more mysterious and heartfelt, coming from the deepest place.

Whether you’re a musician, painter, writer, or any kind of creator, this video may interest you, inviting you to wonder how your creative impulses and processes really work and where they come from.

Why wanting to play well can block your musical growth!

In this video, I explore a surprising but important truth: the desire to play music well—to impress, to achieve, to be perfect—can actually stand in the way of learning music as a language of feeling and self-expression.

Music is not just a performance art. It’s a way of communicating emotion, energy, and meaning. When we get caught up in status, ego, or perfectionism, we lose the spontaneity and fluency that real musical communication requires.

This video is for musicians, students, teachers or anyone at all who wants to reconnect with the deeper purpose of playing music— not to impress, but to express.

If you’ve ever felt blocked, tense, or disconnected from your music, this message could help you unlock your inner child’s creative voice.

How to Make Syncopated Rhythms Groove & Sit in the Pocket!

Struggling to make syncopated rhythms feel stable, flowing and cool? Whether you’re a drummer, instrumentalist, or vocalist, performing off-beat rhythms without sounding awkward or sloppy can be a challenge — you need to know how to practice getting them to sit in the pocket. In this video, I break down how to approach syncopation so it feels expressive, groovy, and flowing deeply and securely in the groove. I’ll explain:

  • How to avoid sounding rigid or off-time
  • Tips for developing internal feel and timing
  • What separates clumsy syncopation from professional groove
  • Exercises to help you master it

This isn’t just about getting the rhythm right — it’s about FEEL.

What kind of music is best for training fluent musicianship?

To fully internalize the language of music in order to become a fully fluent musician, you must find the mindset of a child to be full of awe and wonder. The music we practise in this state is unsophisticated, yet it feels very deep and powerful, especially in the early stages when the language used must be very simple. To do this, we must let go of our adult musical taste and the associated repertoire, styles and genres, as well as any theoretical ideas of what music is or how it functions, and focus on the very simple model of musical language that I teach, practising in a pure, playful, unselfconscious state, like a small child.

How to play with great rhythm – 7 important keys

How to practise to make your playing rhythmically flowing and stable can be quite a conundrum. People often struggle to feel confident that they’re playing the correct rhythm and they tend to worry about going out of time. Often they resort to practising with a metronome and try to be perfectly in time but this just leads to more problems, tension and stiff unmusical playing. In this short video, I explain how to approach improving your rhythm and developing a strong sense of musical pulse and metre. Put these 7 keys to good rhythm into practice and you’ll find that playing with great rhythm can be easy and natural.

How to get a fluent sense of tonality

Tonality works according to some basic, solid principles that we can easily learn. But we must also use strong expressive intention which is based more on rhythm and cadence than theory.

Op. 14 no. 1 by Beethoven – how to make it flow

Beethoven’s Sonata op. 14 no. 1, 1st movement is one of the Grade 8 piano exam pieces 2023. In this video, I explore how rhythm and basic good piano technique can help you create a flowing and stable performance of this tricky piano piece and offer helpful piano practice tips.