Beginner’s Mind started in October 2019 as a track in Bb for long tone exercises. I wanted to create something for students (and myself) to assist in producing a tone that had light rhythm and a solid pitch reference. I didn’t want a typical drone (they hurt after awhile), but rather something one can live in for several minutes. The balance of repetition and textural variety was a priority for me.
I enjoyed making it because it was a chance to be creative in a different way. After making several more tracks just for fun, my goal became to write a song in all twelve keys. Whether early in the morning or in between jobs at a coffee shop, writing and exploring the different sounds in Apple Logic became something I looked forward to each day. Sometimes I would write too much. I didn’t want the listener to focus on a melody. The listener is the melody and these songs are the accompaniment. Editing meant removing anything unnecessary to the mood I wanted to create. Edges were polished and then polished again. How smooth can I make this transition and just how quickly do I want the bells to decay? When I edit anything, this particular story from my family helps to guide me:
My young nephew recently told the story of going shopping for birthday presents with his grandma. They would go to the toy store and he could put anything he wanted and as much of it into the basket. When they would get near the checkout, grandma would “take most of the toys out and what was left was perfect”.
This is not the music that my family, friends, and colleagues would expect from me. Professionally, I’m neither a composer nor an arranger. I freelance as a trumpet player and teacher in Los Angeles and I wouldn’t dream of telling you what to do with this album. However, here are a few instances for how you might use it:
To get control of your breathing
To listen
To not listen
Blending the sound of your instrument with the song
To focus your thoughts
While you cook
In the car
While you walk
Improvise with your instrument
Before you sleep
To quiet your mind
To meditate
The list may seem contradictory, but music does different things to different people.
While I had made the decision not to release this publicly, COVID-19 happened and I felt like this might be helpful to people. If you end up using this in different ways, please let me know so we can add to the list.
I first heard about the concept of beginner’s mind while reading Phil Jackson’s book, Sacred Hoops. It helped me to develop the attitude for how I try to live my life. May the beginner’s mind help you find your way in these difficult times.
“The mind of the beginner is empty, free of the habits of the expert, ready to accept, to doubt, and open to all the possibilities.”
Excerpt From: Shunryu Suzuki & David Chadwick. “Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind.” Apple Books.
Dustin McKinney
April 18th, 2020