JAZZ GUITAR AND A SENSE OF MELODY

By likemindblog

Maurice Johnson

 MAURICE JOHNSON:  His experiences as a phenomenal jazz guitarist, author, entrepreneur and motivationalist have taken him in many varied and exciting directions and remain unparallel by his peers

 Refusing to call himself a writer, teacher or anything beyond the scope of an average individual, MAURICE JOHNSON in a natural sense seems to stay several steps ahead in an industry that often tends to lag at best when it comes to innovative and ambitious motivation focused toward the betterment of musicians and music career hopefuls everywhere.

  Maurice, thank you so much for accepting to be part of this project.   I know what a busy man you are so shall we begin with our first question:

 1)  What is music for you and to you?

Music is the silent voice within me that constantly yearns to be heard.

It is the pulse and rhythm of a vast majority of my days.

                                                                                                  Maurice Johnson 300x300

2) What inspires you?

Inspiration comes to me in many ways, a tear, a smile, or sometimes an arbitrary melody.

 

3)  When you are creating, playing, where does it take you?  What I mean is where does your mind travel?

For the most part I am once again taken to a moment of discovery. Often times it’s as if I picked up the guitar for the first time or written my first song. 

 

4)     Do you think music, visual art and health are related and if so, please elaborate?

Absolutely…  music, visual art and health are all relative while at the same time extremely therapeutic.

Music and visual arts promotes a true sense of personal gratification and creative expression for the artistic individual as well as the general populace who appreciate these art forms. These two aspects play a notable influence on both, mood and emotion, further demonstrating how our mental disposition can directly affect our physical wellbeing.

 

 

No. 5)  How do you feel when you are playing music (not performing),just playing music?  Please elaborate.

In a way, more complete. I have played the instrument for the past thirty-one years. The guitar has become a big part of me as a whole.

 Maurice Johnson At the House 225x300

 

No. 6) Do you identify with your music and if so, how, please elaborate?

By all means. My music like many others is an extension of me. In a sense, it’s who I am.

 

 

No. 7)  When do you do your best work and why?

When I’m not thinking about it and just let it flow. That is with both writing and performing. My best work comes out when I’m just moved by a feeling.

 

No. 8)  Does music help you connect with your *Higher Self* and if so how, please elaborate?

I’d have to say yes. For the longest time I have conceptualized an improvisational  performance as one continuous stream, without a beginning or an end. No reference of time or meter, chord structure or changes, totally immersed in the performance and all the while unrestricted by my own conscious thought.

 

Maurice, thank you so much.  I’ve enjoyed doing this with you.  And I want to invite everyone to visit Maurice’s website which is most interesting and which will also allow you to listen to his wonderful music.

 

And for all musicians reading this, Maurice has developed a piece of software called Gigorama to help build and manage your music career.  You can get further details on his site.

 

LINK: http://www.mauricejohnson.com

 TO THE READER:  How does Maurice’s music make you feel?

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Filed in: MUSIC • Friday, November 6th, 2009
 

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About

My name is Michele Andree. I am an artist, I paint musicians in action. I think I’m a musician at heart, my instrument being… a brush, so I play…brush and I paint… music.
I love jazz. I call it freedom music. It promotes special values. I love intelligent people and good conversations.

Some people ask me how music relates to art. Personally I find they go hand in hand. Music is what turns me on to painting. It makes me see colours