An Inside Look into Kyle's Mind

General
#1

If you ever wondered what the hell goes through Kyle’s mind when he creates videos, this is a little peak in.

Today, my dad showed me this lecture by John Cleese on Creativity. I would essentially call this required material for any Bachido member, especially those trying to improvise.

Without flattering myself, I was pleased to find that this is pretty much how I operate in life. Being able to operate in the ‘open mind’ has greatly influenced my musical abilities and was a major influence in the structure of Bachido.

In a way, I like to think that everyone in the Bachido forum operates in this to some extent, which has also benefited to the way Bachido has turned out. I mean, in any thread pertaining to new ideas, almost never does anyone say, “That’s not a good idea” or “that won’t work.” Everyone’s positivity and openness encourages this creativity for all, and I think that’s wonderful. It’s one big bubbly think-tank! :slight_smile:

#2

Brilliant! I concur.

#3

oh I thought this was a bit but looks like a serious “lecture” and over half an hour no less I need to watch this with full attention soon JOHN CLEESE as a motivational speaker sounds like something that could actually be worth watching :slight_smile:

#4

(actually my cousin met him very briefly in the course of the production of those TV ads cause he works for William Hill)

#5

Yeah, I wasn’t expecting so many jokes! :stuck_out_tongue: But indeed, there’s so much truth to what he says (At least, I can relate to it).

Interestingly, I think I heard that before he got into comedy/acting, he was studying to be a scientist. (Am I correct in that?)

#6

Send this to your boss when he complains about your work effort. Really good speech!

#7

The great John cleese!

Yes I think like you think Kyle, but really I think to be a musician its to think with an open mind… and this later reflected (reflected ¿?¿? I dont know if its said that manner… sorry for my bad english!! XD) to your normal life.

If you want to try something new, you have to be open minded!

#8

Truth! I was thinking about this last night. I think this is the case for classically trained players of all styles, even tsugaru shamisen. Kevin and I know some professional shamisen players who dedicated most of their lives to formal tsugaru. After reaching a level of fame, they try to switch to fusion/modern songs, but aren’t really able to break out of the tsugaru form they’ve molded themselves to.

Of course, there’s nothing inherently wrong with this at all, but I believe classical training in this way is to “train yourself” to operate within a closed mind. Eventually, everything you’ve spent years doing within the closed mind is solid and great. But like an unstretched muscle, the open mindset has been shut off for so long that it’s almost impossible to comprehend doing anything outside of what’s been engrained.

This shouldn’t be taken to mean, ‘just go wild and free from the beginning’. I think there’s benefit to learning the basics first, but that often gets taken too far. An open mind is needed to learn the basics first, but once you learn the basics without anything to ‘shake it up’, you’ll naturally shift into a ‘closed mind’ mold.

With karate, you learn the formal basics and soon after you do kumite (sparring) which forces you to have open mind. Likewise, learning new songs or different scales/rhythms is a great way to keep a musical mind open. :slight_smile:

#9

As you know I come from classical environment, and of course you need that close mind that you explain with tsugaru. But I think it is better to play another things, it is better for a musician that plays a lot of things, styles, etc. This helps a lot with your technic in your closed environment.

And really really I think that a real musician must play other things. Here, in the musical conservatory, they force you to play another instrument. If you play an armonic one, like piano or accordion, you must play a melodic one, like violin. This enriches you as musician. This opens your mind, and gives you a better perspective for your instrument.

I transpose that to play different styles (styles that you like, of course), and a lot of times, that styles helps you in your ichiban style.

I see a lot of people that only knows to play one kind of style. Thats not bad, but for me, its like only seeing the top of an iceberg. There is a lot of thing you can try, and enjoy :slight_smile:

#10

A bit late in responding to this, but I watched it when you first posted. Got me reappraising my approach to a lot of my activities, both personal and business related. Good stuffs, that there. Thanks for posting, Kyle~!

#11

Thanks for sharing this!!! I really find John Cleese a fantastic person over all!
Just as you say Kyle, this is what the martial arts teaches you, at least some of them. To focus on a kata and then open up your mind for creative ways of how to use your knowledge!

You gave me that analogy when I was struggling with my bachi technique. Try playing it faster than you feel comfortable with, and it really did help to loosen up and enjoy the music in it self!
And starting to work on patterns and scales with Kevin, playing with creating melodies within them, really boosted my confidence and playing songs is completely different!

Thanks again for sharing!!!

#12

great video, almost had forgotten it. nice to watch it again now that im older and wiser

#13

Awesome! Glad people are enjoying it! I sure use ‘open/closed mind’ a lot more in conversation now. :wink:

Chris, You may have seen this video as well? I found it very interesting too. Not just about creativity, but about people’s ‘blind spots’. It definitely helps us understand these strange creatures that we call ‘humans’. :wink:

© 2020 Kyle Abbott