Musashi's "two swords" idea is generally interpreted to mean "use all the resources you can, to reach your goal." (Musashi is considered the "sword saint" of Japan, a highly regarded warrior/philosopher.)
So anyway, I'm playing tunes on my fiddle as usual, using mostly the tip end of the bow, as you do. But then I remember playing a noisy pub gig, where I needed more volume, and resorting to the frog end of the bow, for more "crunch." (Consider how you whittle a piece of wood with a pocketknife--you don't use the tip of the blade, you use the hilt end, near the grip, where you can exert more force, and keep better control.)
And what do you know, but lately I find that approach works better for a tricky string crossing I'm having trouble with.
I suppose what I'm saying is that, if you are having trouble with some tricky bit of a tune, try it with an approach other than what you are accustomed to. It might just get you over that little stumbling block that has been bedeviling you.
The concepts of 'big and little' has helped me more than once. The idea is that when you are focused on minutia, trapped almost, in the small detail, you suddenly zoom out to a much bigger picture and attain your objective in this way.
In fiddling terms you could apply this idea in many ways, say using big long bow strokes as a variation. or ignore all the little things that you are focusing on and instead play the tune in a simple un-ornamented broad manner. Its only limited by your imagination.
Another concept for fiddlers is that of taking higher ground. rather than bending over the fiddle, getting 'into' it tightening up sit back or stand , find a high place and play there float above the small stuff breath in deep, open the chest. big movements. This actually seems like a combination approach.
Funnily enough, even though Musashi' school and training revolved around 2 swords, he never actually fought any of his fights with 2. Always using one.
Another thing is he often used a wooden sword to fight and win on many occasions. You could liken this to the fiddle, using a cheap fiddle but with excellent technique and highly spirited approach.
Thanks for this thread, Its Inspired me to go on Amazon and get a new copy. Ive had a few over the years but all gone.
For those who wonder what this book is about;
Amazon.co.uk Review
To learn a Japanese martial art is to learn Zen, and although you can't do so simply by reading a book, it sure does help--especially if that book is the Book of Five Rings. One of Japan's great samurai sword masters put down in decisive, unfaltering terms the certain path to victory, and like Sun Tzu's Art of War, it is applicable not only on the battlefield but in all forms of competition. Always observant, creating confusion, striking at vulnerabilities--these are some of the basic principles. Going deeper, we find suki, the interval of vulnerability, of indecisiveness, of rest, the briefest but most vital moment to strike. In succinct detail, Miyamoto records ideal postures, blows and psychological tactics to put the enemy off guard and open the way for attack. Most important of all is Miyamoto's concept of rhythm, how all things are in harmony, and by working with the rhythm of a situation, we can turn it to our advantage with little effort. But like Zen, this requires one thing above all else, putting the book down and going out to practice. --Brian Bruya --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Product Description
This is a text on the subtle arts of confrontation and victory, originally composed in 1643 by an undefeated samurai. Appropriate for martial artists and leaders in all professions, this book analyzes the process of struggle and mastery over conflict that underlies every level of human interaction.
There are numerous translations. If I remember Cleary's was the clearest to understand.
Wa hey, good stuff.
I would love to be able to play music in accordance with the book of Lao Tzu, "wu wei" effortless action, but of course, the more you strive the more you miss the point....
Curiously out of copyright, the text of Musashi's Five Rings is on the interweb at such places as http://www.samurai.com/5rings/intro/
if you want a flavour thereof.
Oops, forgot to develop on this one. >>Funnily enough, even though Musashi' school and training revolved around 2 swords, he never actually fought any of his fights with 2. Always using one.<<
So sometimes he used training methods that he didn't use in the actual combat . So we could take from that . in fiddling terms, supplementary exercises such as scales... shock horror!.
Apparently I should explain further. This isn't about chop-socky tricks--it's about the pursuit of excellence, which is basically the same for all skills.
Several years ago, I was frustrated by my lack of skills, and by stage fright. So I looked up an old friend who had impressed me with his calm, steady approach to life. Even though he was in his mid-eighties, deaf as a post, and had never played an instrument, his advice was a great help to me. And one of the things he recommended was to think about the pointers in Musashi's book, and see if they could be applied to my goals. I can't explain it all here, but trust me--they could.
Now my old friend is 90, his health has been failing, and I haven't seen an email from him for a while.... don't know if I'll hear from him again. So I just wanted to try to pass on some of the good stuff that helped me.
I remember when it was all the rage for businessmen to read that, and apply the lessons to their jobs, rather comical to hear 'suits' talking about warrior virtues and such. Although like you say, Tucker, there is a lot that everyone can get from learning the philosophy, and then using it as an analogy to unlock ideas about how to approach all manner of pursuits.
Exactly so, AlBrown. These things are universal, really. And if you are lucky enough to get it directly from a wise person (whether Japanese, Irish, or Eskimo--it doesn't matter), you won't necessarily need a self-help book. I guess I did, because I"m a bit thick about some things.
Musashi and the Two Swords School
Musashi and the Two Swords School
OK, maybe I'm stretching a bit, but bear with me.
Musashi's "two swords" idea is generally interpreted to mean "use all the resources you can, to reach your goal." (Musashi is considered the "sword saint" of Japan, a highly regarded warrior/philosopher.)
So anyway, I'm playing tunes on my fiddle as usual, using mostly the tip end of the bow, as you do. But then I remember playing a noisy pub gig, where I needed more volume, and resorting to the frog end of the bow, for more "crunch." (Consider how you whittle a piece of wood with a pocketknife--you don't use the tip of the blade, you use the hilt end, near the grip, where you can exert more force, and keep better control.)
And what do you know, but lately I find that approach works better for a tricky string crossing I'm having trouble with.
I suppose what I'm saying is that, if you are having trouble with some tricky bit of a tune, try it with an approach other than what you are accustomed to. It might just get you over that little stumbling block that has been bedeviling you.
# Posted on May 5th 2009 by John Galt
Re: Musashi and the Two Swords School
I was once told that there is a single word or verb in Japanese that translates as, "To try out your new sword on the head of a passing wayfarer".
Trying out a new bowing technique on captive punters is a comparable if far less drastic pursuit, and surely deserves a single word of its own.
Are you familiar with Monty Python's Crunchy Frog sketch?..
# Posted on May 5th 2009 by nicholas
Re: Musashi and the Two Swords School
"Made with only the finest frogs, of course!"
# Posted on May 5th 2009 by Fanning
Re: Musashi and the Two Swords School
The concepts of 'big and little' has helped me more than once. The idea is that when you are focused on minutia, trapped almost, in the small detail, you suddenly zoom out to a much bigger picture and attain your objective in this way.
In fiddling terms you could apply this idea in many ways, say using big long bow strokes as a variation. or ignore all the little things that you are focusing on and instead play the tune in a simple un-ornamented broad manner. Its only limited by your imagination.
Another concept for fiddlers is that of taking higher ground. rather than bending over the fiddle, getting 'into' it tightening up sit back or stand , find a high place and play there float above the small stuff breath in deep, open the chest. big movements. This actually seems like a combination approach.
Funnily enough, even though Musashi' school and training revolved around 2 swords, he never actually fought any of his fights with 2. Always using one.
Another thing is he often used a wooden sword to fight and win on many occasions. You could liken this to the fiddle, using a cheap fiddle but with excellent technique and highly spirited approach.
Thanks for this thread, Its Inspired me to go on Amazon and get a new copy. Ive had a few over the years but all gone.
For those who wonder what this book is about;
Amazon.co.uk Review
To learn a Japanese martial art is to learn Zen, and although you can't do so simply by reading a book, it sure does help--especially if that book is the Book of Five Rings. One of Japan's great samurai sword masters put down in decisive, unfaltering terms the certain path to victory, and like Sun Tzu's Art of War, it is applicable not only on the battlefield but in all forms of competition. Always observant, creating confusion, striking at vulnerabilities--these are some of the basic principles. Going deeper, we find suki, the interval of vulnerability, of indecisiveness, of rest, the briefest but most vital moment to strike. In succinct detail, Miyamoto records ideal postures, blows and psychological tactics to put the enemy off guard and open the way for attack. Most important of all is Miyamoto's concept of rhythm, how all things are in harmony, and by working with the rhythm of a situation, we can turn it to our advantage with little effort. But like Zen, this requires one thing above all else, putting the book down and going out to practice. --Brian Bruya --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Product Description
This is a text on the subtle arts of confrontation and victory, originally composed in 1643 by an undefeated samurai. Appropriate for martial artists and leaders in all professions, this book analyzes the process of struggle and mastery over conflict that underlies every level of human interaction.
There are numerous translations. If I remember Cleary's was the clearest to understand.
# Posted on May 5th 2009 by piobagusfidil
Re: Musashi and the Two Swords School
Wa hey, good stuff.
I would love to be able to play music in accordance with the book of Lao Tzu, "wu wei" effortless action, but of course, the more you strive the more you miss the point....
Curiously out of copyright, the text of Musashi's Five Rings is on the interweb at such places as
http://www.samurai.com/5rings/intro/
if you want a flavour thereof.
# Posted on May 5th 2009 by TomB-R
Re: Musashi and the Two Swords School
Oops, forgot to develop on this one. >>Funnily enough, even though Musashi' school and training revolved around 2 swords, he never actually fought any of his fights with 2. Always using one.<<
So sometimes he used training methods that he didn't use in the actual combat . So we could take from that . in fiddling terms, supplementary exercises such as scales... shock horror!.
# Posted on May 5th 2009 by piobagusfidil
Re: Musashi and the Two Swords School
Monty Python, Crunchy Frog sketch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy6uLfermPU
# Posted on May 5th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Musashi and the Two Swords School
<homer simpson voice> Mmmm..... crunchy frogs.....</ voice>
Apparently I should explain further. This isn't about chop-socky tricks--it's about the pursuit of excellence, which is basically the same for all skills.
Several years ago, I was frustrated by my lack of skills, and by stage fright. So I looked up an old friend who had impressed me with his calm, steady approach to life. Even though he was in his mid-eighties, deaf as a post, and had never played an instrument, his advice was a great help to me. And one of the things he recommended was to think about the pointers in Musashi's book, and see if they could be applied to my goals. I can't explain it all here, but trust me--they could.
Now my old friend is 90, his health has been failing, and I haven't seen an email from him for a while.... don't know if I'll hear from him again. So I just wanted to try to pass on some of the good stuff that helped me.
# Posted on May 5th 2009 by John Galt
Re: Musashi and the Two Swords School
I remember when it was all the rage for businessmen to read that, and apply the lessons to their jobs, rather comical to hear 'suits' talking about warrior virtues and such. Although like you say, Tucker, there is a lot that everyone can get from learning the philosophy, and then using it as an analogy to unlock ideas about how to approach all manner of pursuits.
# Posted on May 6th 2009 by AlBrown
Re: Musashi and the Two Swords School
Exactly so, AlBrown. These things are universal, really. And if you are lucky enough to get it directly from a wise person (whether Japanese, Irish, or Eskimo--it doesn't matter), you won't necessarily need a self-help book. I guess I did, because I"m a bit thick about some things.
# Posted on May 6th 2009 by John Galt