Uechi-Ryu.com

Mattson Sensei,

It has occurred to me that many of my martial arts friends are also musicians or have very good rhythm. It appears to me that musicality and martial arts expertise/interest has a correlation.

As was stated in a famous movie "If you can fight, you can dance".

In order to explore this topic, I would be interested if you posted survey questions asking the following:

Do you play an instrument?
At what skill level?
Do you sing?
At what level?
If not, do you have an interest in learning to play an instrument?
Can you read music?
Do you compose music?
Do you dance well (be honest) or do others note that you have good rhythm?

I am sure there a lots or other quetions that could be asked regarding this topic but these are all that I could come up with right now.


Best regards,

Mike

One of the nice features of this forum is the ability of the poster to create his/her own survey when opening a new topic. Give it a try Mike.

_________________
GEM
"Do or do not. there is no try!"

I think the connection has less to do with rhythm than with developing the right brain.

Do you play an instrument?
yes--violin

At what skill level?
3
Do you sing?
no
At what level?
If not, do you have an interest in learning to play an instrument?
Can you read music?
yes
Do you compose music?
some time
Do you dance well (be honest) or do others note that you have good rhythm?
not bad

Although I don't play an instrument or do anything involved with music (unless listening counts), I thought it should be noted that Thomas Hooper (6th Dan) in both Kendo and Iaido is the highest ranked occidental in Iaido (I assume Kendo too, but can't be sure) and happens to play an instrument professionally. I think he plays either trombone or French horn professionally. Oh well.

-David

Do you play an instrument?
Yes - Piano

At what skill level? -- Amateur

Do you sing? -- Yes

At what level? -- Was in a group

Can you read music? -- Yes

Do you compose music? -- No

Do you dance well (be honest) or do others note that you have good rhythm?

-- I have good rhythm & am currently taking ballet for flexibility; tap & jazz for aerobics/movement. When I was younger I was a member of a jazz dance troupe.

"Life is Dance -- Dress the Part"

Jackie

1: Yes. Keyboards, especially synthesizers, most woodwinds, some brass, some guitar, some drums.
2: Keyboards: ex-professional. Woodwinds, ex-student. All others, test-play level.
3: Sing: Yes. Ex-professional, lifelong study and practice.
4: Read music? Yes.
Level, Grade viii piano, basic jazz charts.
5: Compose: Very often. (Monthly.)
6: Dance well? Depends on style and who is playing it.
Don't dance well to classical, or square white music.

Learning music vs. martial arts is very similar, but there are some important differences.
MOST important is that in music you are NEVER told to "do it like this for now", and then have it changed later, as far as basics are concerned.
You learn correct form and function from day one, and it is NEVER changed, only perfected over time.
Martial arts is the opposite.
You are shown things which must be constantly changed to something "more advanced" as years go by, forcing the learning process to begin over, again and again.
Therefore, your latest technique skill-level is often only months old.
I can play a chromatic (every key) scale from the top to the bottom of a full 88-note piano in under 4 seconds.
Any time of day, almost in my sleep.
There is one simple reason: I was taught how at age six, and the "technique" is NEVER changed.

This is why there are so many more musicians than martial artists.
Somehow, centuries ago, the methodology of teaching music was connected to the art of performance in the real world; the methodology of teaching martial arts was either not, or it was lost.
No one could ever learn music by the means that martial arts is taught.

NM

I can play violin and trumpet. I am also a good artist have excellent foot work and can read music.

_________________
"When two tigers fight, one is always injured. The other is dead."

"An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind."