that’s true. i watched the video again, and caught another video of a child prodigy. and, the thing is… young prodigies, though they may have brilliant technical mastery of the instrument, they simply haven’t lived long enough to have life experiences that can be expressed through their instrument.

some of the best musicians have the ability to emote via their instrument. they can share their pain and sorrow through their instruments because they’ve been through thick and thin, through good times and bad. drummer buddy rich said that the best musicians are the ones who can “emote” the best.

so, i’m not really too jealous of young prodigies, though i’m amazed at their technical proficiency compared to their age. but, i don’t really hear/see any of them “emoting”.

i’ve been through a LOT of pain and depression in my life. and i think that has tempered my skill at playing my instrument(s). and i think i would be successful as long as i can make some kind of emotional connection to the audience.

i recently read a book by a 22 year-old. he’s published 4 books in total now. he’s not amazing or anything, but he still made me feel like dunking my head in a bucket of ice water –hard to find, here in spain. just as well ^-