The Timekeeper | Tai Murray | TEDxYale

Key Concepts:

• Time as a defining element for musicians.
• The violin as a "timekeeper" and its historical relevance.
• The use of "robato" (stolen time) for emotional expression.
• Intuition and connection with the audience through time manipulation.
• The musician's responsibility to support the space between themselves, their instrument, and the listener.

1. The Musician as a Timekeeper

• The speaker identifies as a "timekeeper," emphasizing the importance of time in music.
• Musicians are described as "sound mavens" who are "firmly of their own time."
• The public often focuses on the "what, how, why, and where" of music creation.
• The core question: Is it what we say or when we say it that defines an artist?

2. History, Soundtracks, and Cultural Significance

• The speaker uses the example of John Williams' Olympic fanfare and Lao Arno's "Bugler's Dream" to illustrate how music becomes associated with specific historical moments and evokes different emotions in different generations.
• 1984 Olympics fanfare evokes goosebumps for the speaker.
• "Bugler's Dream" became the Olympic theme in 1964, connecting it to different experiences for those who heard it before and after.
• Music's impact can be seen as a "giant historical event" or a "micro expression."

3. The Violin: A Timeless Instrument

• The violin's physical form has remained relatively unchanged since the 16th century, indicating a "codependence with the human condition."
• Questions posed: Is the violin considered the ideal instrument? Does it give voice to current events? Does humanity use it as a substitute when voices fail?
• Human physical capabilities have been continuously tested on the violin.
• The longevity of the violin could simply be due to its aesthetic appeal.

4. Timekeeping Devices and Musicality

• The Oxford English Dictionary defines a timekeeper as a device for registering the passage of time, a timepiece, or a person/thing that beats time (conductor, metronome).
• The speaker humorously references Captain Hook from Peter Pan, who is haunted by a crocodile that swallowed a ticking clock.
• The speaker spent countless hours practicing with a metronome at 60 BPM but now experiences anxiety around ticking clocks.
• "Rushing" (losing steady rhythmic impulse) is a common issue in music practice.
• Playing completely metronomically would make a performance sound artificial.

5. Emotion, Robato, and Intuition

• Emotion is the "currency of physical expression" in music. Without it, violin playing is just "notes on a page."
• The goal is to transmit the storyline through emotion, using tools like volume control, articulation, intonation, and "robato."
• "Robato" (Italian for "stolen") is defined as a temporary disregard for strict tempo to allow expressive quickening or slowing without altering the overall pace.
• In practice, "stealing" time by slowing down must be compensated by speeding up later.
• Knowing when to use robato is a matter of opinion and, more importantly, intuition.

6. Connecting with the Audience

• Intuition is not exclusive to humans; the speaker has played for various animals.
• The speaker aims to connect their "lizard brain" to the subconscious of the listener.
• Stretching time and space between notes is a way to achieve this connection.

7. Responsibility and Humility

• The speaker views space as a physical mechanism that they are responsible for supporting: the space between themselves and the listener, between themselves and musical partners, and between themselves and their instrument.
• Accepting mortality is a source of motivation and humility.
• Control of others is an attempt at omnipotence.

8. Motivation and Perspective

• Musicians have varying motivations for their music, both explicit and implicit.
• The instrumentalist's job is to translate these motivations into the current moment.
• Sometimes historical perspective is relevant; other times, creating a sound for a singular moment is more appropriate.
• Having a finger on the "inexorable pulse of life" is what makes being a musician meaningful.

9. Notable Quotes

• "Did you believe in life after birth?" - A performer's question to the audience, highlighting the absurdity of choosing a place on the lifeline of history.
• "Emotion is the currency of physical expression. Without emotion, violin playing is notes on a page and blank tombs in the air."

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The speaker, a violinist, defines their role as a "timekeeper," emphasizing the crucial role of time in music. They explore how music connects to history, evokes emotions, and creates a shared experience between the performer and the audience. The use of techniques like "robato" and the importance of intuition are highlighted as ways to manipulate time and space to convey emotional depth. Ultimately, the speaker emphasizes the musician's responsibility to support the connection between themselves, their instrument, and the listener, finding motivation and humility in accepting their mortal time limit.