Music and the inner self | James Rhodes | TEDxMadrid

In times of superficiality and exteriority we need to learn to look into ourselves, and truly listening to music is a great way of doing this. Music is a trustable friend that can save you even in your darkest moments. Audiovisual producer: Daniel Goldmann. Editing: Xavi Fortino. Film team: Elena Salcedo, Josep Fernández, Daniel Davidson, Nicolás Mazzini, Nacho Valentín, David Ramos, Ignacio Fuentes y Fran Rubio
James Rhodes is one of the most important concert piano players of our times and a great innovator of classical music. He has been the subject of documentaries for BBC and Channel 4, he writes for The Guardian and performs in concerts all around the world. His Sunday Times and international bestselling memoir, Instrumental, published by Canongate, is a brutally honest, moving and compelling story that was almost banned until the Supreme Court unanimously overthrew an injunction in May 2015.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@jimesoprano924]

"Music is the language that we don't know that we are all fluent in", loved it! Thanks Rhodes!

[@tralala4200]

I love that! ✨

[@sunshinegirl4660]

Sadly, I’ve met people who do not feel music on a deep level. I cannot imagine a life without feeling it the way I do. It rocks the deepest part of my soul.

[@sjbechet1111]

Checked your profile before sharing 'my soul' and decided not to - the chances you are a BOT are pretty high

[@couldliveonyoutube1841]

‘A language we don’t know but are fluent in’. I love him!

[@robinpendley4794]

Is it just me or is this guy adorable :)

[@couldliveonyoutube1841]

robin pendley adorable

[@bobbytoure4084]

i start to understand that language since my father passed away. Since that day i listen piano classical mucic everyday and i am learnig how to play pianio.

[@RichardASalisbury1]

I agree with James Rhodes. When I was about 2 years old, music saved my (emotional) heart from being crushed, buried, obliterated, or whatever in a family in which neither parent listened to me, heard me, saw me, or (as it seemed to me) thought me at all important. To sum it up, they were not at all interested in my inner life. I was very lonely and felt worthless. But my mom had 78-rpm recordings of classical music that she played. I think--don't remember for certain--that I kept bugging her to play them over and over, till finally, tired of doing this, she taught me how to use our phonograph and turned me loose on it. I started playing records, mostly of "classical" music, compulsively (still do), starting with 3 Russian pieces from the "romantic" era (the 19th century, mainly): "Scheherazade" by Rimsky-Korsakov, "Piano Concerto no. 1" by Tchaikovsky, and "Piano Concerto no. 2" by Rachmaninov. Now I no longer care for Rimsky-Korsakov, I still like the Tchaikovsky concerto (though not much else by him), and the Rachmaninov is still one of my all-time favorite pieces and, though I don't in general like "romantic" music much, I consider Rachmaninov one of the greatest of composers. And now, at 75, I am composing.

[@annecharvey]

Richard Salisbury substitute Schubert & Ravel & I could have written this.

[@enrothable]

Awesome story. Thanks for sharing.

[@rr7firefly]

Mr. Salisbury, thank you for your story. My childhood was nowhere as difficult as yours but I share with you the experience of discovering great music at a young age. My father bought a box of 12 classical records and I listened to every one of those discs many times. My father was very strict about any of us using his things so he would not allow me to play the records. Once, when I asked him why he had the boxed set and did not play the records he told me he just wanted to have them. (I could not understand that at all.) I learned at a very young age to be extremely careful when I removed them from their sleeves, played them and then returned them to their proper place in the box. Now, years after his death I am the one who has his classical records. And I have a deep appreciation for good music.

[@susanmjordan]

Thank you so much for sharing this, Richard! I'm in the process of writing a book and Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto is practically a character in the story, which begins with young men and women studying at a music conservatory. I can't seem to listen to this piece enough...it always, always, takes me on a magical journey and never fails to leave me energized and inspired. How wonderful that you are now composing! I am 84 and began writing at 75, after a lifetime in music as a student, performer, teacher, and eventually director of (mostly) "classic" stage musicals... my favorites are those that I would call musical dramas. Best of luck with your continued love of and journey with music!

[@tralala4200]

🙏 so pleased that now you are creating from such a lifetime of deep connection 💜 💜💜

[@butterflytouch2980]

I think music should be prescribed to the every patient throughout the world to fasten their healing process. It has a magical power , it rejuvenates ,revitalizes and even more it revives our soul..

[@OPbdh116]

Wouldn't mean a single thing for deaf people.

[@jerikarason2339]

@@OPbdh116 the vibration would

[@cclark3]

@@OPbdh116 that doesn’t mean there isn’t option for deaf people! I’m sure there are options!

[@orrhousecreative]

@@OPbdh116 ever heard of Beethoven?

[@OPbdh116]

@@orrhousecreative Wasn't he trained before he went deaf?

[@amused6415]

"Without music, life would be a big mistake." - Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols

[@christopherwong9576]

a MUSEd Nice

[@alexsmith9983]

this is the second time i've seen this quote today, maybe the universe is trying to tell me something.

[@NormanPrather]

I disagree. Music is not that important at least not to some of us.

[@totesnotsyn5704]

@@NormanPrather you’re made of music whether you like it or not

[@NormanPrather]

@@totesnotsyn5704 why do you say that? That seems to require an extremely broad definition of music.

[@couldliveonyoutube1841]

“And yet within it, it contains the entire universe “

[@mrmasrawy92]

dont you live here you get it? it sucks here.

[@FAWNGROVEDUDE]

not sure if it was because he prepped me to experience beauty at the end, but my eyes teared up during the last piece he played...to be MOVED by something, anything...how lucky we are.

[@ladystardust3626]

I consider ALL music to be my life energy. I have delt with such deep disturbing inner chaos that without music I WOULD HAVE KILL MYSELF to escape the chaos. I've done drugs to escape but I was still in control . Music is the only substance that I trust to hand my control over to. It has never hurt me. It has only helped me to overcome fear, sadness, darkness, distress and anger. Any and every emotion that I feel only music can put my mind and soul at ease. If I were to put a new name on classical music, I would call it life energy. Of all languages, music transcends all barriers.

[@boulogneelaine]

James Rhodes a thousand thanks for sharing with us and showing how each one of us car re-create himself from pain. That besides the fact that your playing of the piano is beyond words.

[@FAWNGROVEDUDE]

i shared this with my senior class--- you wouldnt believe how quiet they were at the end as he played Gluck. James is so punk.

[@madeleinegerlach4854]

If I could "like" this video a million times, I would. James Rhodes, you are everything

[@bharatbash]

This man is inspiring beyond description. Thanks for doing you James!

[@elizabethfranco3979]

bharat sharma

[@RobertSeviour1]

He didn't inspire me with his gratuitous vulgar language.

[@pabrielgomez5879]

God bless you!

[@samiularko]

@@RobertSeviour1 that's cause you have a stone instead of a heart

[@ruthlewis673]

The human heart exposed, reminds me we are all in this together, no one gets out alive.

[@pierretombale3745]

It is good to meet an abnormally deep person

[@CouldLiveOnYouTube]

Pierre Tombale yeahhhh!! ❤️

[@LaMagha]

God, am I grateful for having found this video. As well as for having learnt to appreciate classical music as a young person. Definitely connected me with my inferiority and was a great refuge

[@user-jr1fb1qd2e]

Thank you James, you cannot realize what impact your words, your personality, your ideas, your love for what you're doing and most of all your personal superb touch on the keyboard do. You stir the deepest yearnings of the soul that can find expression only through music. Thank you for strring..... please do the app, it will help make this a better world for all!

[@moyamacgregor6739]

Elleni, totally resonate with you, ✨

[@Proevogamer]

Simply therapeutic. I love it, and James' sense of humor is sincere and ingenious.

[@user-jr1fb1qd2e]

And also minimal, soft, loving... not boisterous or loud...

[@artlover-us]

very passionate and impressive speech , Music is God , i owe so much to those musicians who brought beauty, peace and love to our soul

[@williamgallant5218]

He plays music, as I do, written by great composers who walked with God and wrote their music inspired by Scripture like Handel's Messiah! He says he hardly believes in God and that he has faith. That is complete contradiction. The very word faith denotes knowing a God Who created us but Whom we cannot see. But He reveals Himself to those like Handel who express their faith and worship of Him by bowing their heart and speech and hands to Him.

[@pabrielgomez5879]

Music is a gift from God.

[@FirstGentleman1]

I can play this piece and whistle ave maria while I'm doing it, that is my greatest achivement in life.

[@saminkofu]

get that on KZbin, and I'll adore you with thumbs up!!

[@3mouskkeuteuses1]

Seriously you need to share this so we can be in love with you

[@olasylvia1]

He's right- I taught myself to play the prelude in C from u-tube video in about 2 weeks, with absolutely no experience in playing piano. It's worth the effort, let me add- the feeling it gives while you play it is sublime, and so much more than when you just listen.

[@gregoryeze7111]

Well done! Determination

[@ingrid7177]

I immediately threw away all my self-help books. I am perfect just the way I am and don't have to be anyone else! Thank you!!!

[@shoshannafachima1306]

Music of the spirit,the true language of the cosmos,ethereal,sacred,uplifting,my love that i so cherish.lost to motor neuron disease,yet still the sustainance of my soul and spirit. James,you are a blessing.

[@zaveeramini9712]

There would never be a world without music because music is life

[@htrland]

The piece he played at the end is an extract of "Dance of the Blessed Spirits" from Gluck's opera "Orpheus and Eurydice".

[@11marlie]

Thank you for posting this. It's familiar, but I didn't know what it was. That one phrase at 18:20 reduces me to tears.

[@lilianaibarra4005]

Anne Francis ,besos

[@denisehay1151]

me too!

[@hacerclic1020]

Thanks. I was hoping someone would put this in the comments.

[@limalinda9164]

Gracias

[@godders7594]

James Rhodes.........a very human being

[@beatecorrea4011]

we are all children of the creator of the universe, therefor we are divine beings having a human experience. The universe was created by sound. Sound is vibration. music is sound, it is vibration.

[@bes1batch1976]

16:32 To the fucked up crazy full world that we lived in!!!! Thats one creative way of looking at it!!! Its the only world we got!! Religion says the next world is way better, but it seems no one is in a hurry to get there!! Very perplexing.

[@mimilion6072]

Wonderfully spoken. I personally like your phrase "Inner music" and as i saw in a comment below, Thank You for Being You. Keeping it REAL !!!

[@beatrizmendez3180]

Las experiencias de vida que te toco vivir hicieron de ti el comunicador tan singular en el que te has convertido creo que eres un compendio de puro sentimiento y sensibilidad lo complementas con la música interior como tu la llamas y eso hace un combo perfecto

[@coronis03]

Thank you, I needed these words, your spirit today James Rhodes.

[@johnphillips769]

Such profound genius that reminds of the importance of the necessity of music in all absolute parts of the human experience, most especially youth, and old age, etc...

[@mimifrijolvincent]

I completely agree with him about the lack of musical education in most countries. I was lucky enough to have parents who could pay for piano lessons and a mother, who though she is no expert, had me listen to classical music records in silence as a child, we couldn't do anything else while listening, just stay still and concentrate. I also felt during my years of piano lessons that it was a world of "elites" and felt that it was a turn off to most people because it was perceived as snobby. It's sad because many composers suffered financial strife during their lives. Undoubtedly this ability to actively listen to classical music, sometimes for hours a day, has been my refuge for the difficult times in life.

[@JoJoJo789]

How touching. You made me cry James, such beautiful words followed by beautiful music 😁 Thank you for your being in this world

[@nazanvisions]

What a beautiful speech, nearly made me cry at the end! I brought his book today to get me back on track with playing piano again. 10 times more inspired after watching this, Thank you for your existence omg legend!!

[@GizzardsandGravy]

I show this talk during my teaching of Romantic Poets in British literature. Rhodes captures the spirit perfectly.

[@IreneSVL]

I absoolutely love this piece and am eternally grateful for James to introduce me to it. It is now one of my favourites! I have been playing piano for some years, but didn´t know this piece. Now I have a video on my channel where I play it. I also read two of his books in about 3 days, because they are simply that good! Thank you James for playing the piano and for sharing your story!

[@joladerach7056]

Thank you for speaking from the heart, for being passionate, and using the f word when it counts. I am deeply moved.

[@farouk6564]

James is my hero!

[@SharronMcLeodMusic]

That last piece is gorgeous. Thank you Mr Rhodes.

[@paxwallacejazz]

The commonly held idea that the music comes from within the soul of the musician is largely a construct of the ego. It's a very messy strategy. Music is something we bring ourselves to as musicians. We bring ourselves to this place as Beethoven said an incorporial world that we can't inhabit. We are servants to the process of making music it's not us. Music is an investigation an inquiry. We as musicians are at service to this thing that exists outside of what we consider ourselves to be which is mistaken in the first place. We practice study perform Jam compose improvise live to become better servants to this thing outside of ourselves. This thing we humbly bring ourselves to.

[@jaanaviit3847]

Yes indeed!!

[@2828alec]

You’re right, it should not be called classical music. The phrase, or the name, should be self music. Because it’s music for your... self. Where the beauty of your soul lives. Hence, Self Music.

[@jordanbrown3887]

His piano playing was a meditation - thank you for this, I've been considering a career change.

[@user-wm2fv3sp3x]

James Rhodes, thanks for the inspiring talk and the soul fulfilling music.

[@432hzLoveFrequency-TruthInside]

“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.” - Nikola Tesla To understand anything non-physical, one needs a certain level of creativity and imagination. Frequencies are hard to see but easy to feel.

[@danielsumbler]

All these keyboard warriors criticising somebody who has the balls to stand alone and be unique. Criticising one pinhole part and missing the holistic beauty. Somebody who is not only successful, but brave. The piano sounding bad is often done purposely with broadcast recordings - so people cannot copy it and re-distribute it; so it is sabotaged in a way. The piano to the audience probably sounded very beautiful live. They do it with Glastonbury performances when they are televised; it's fact. I have worked in and out of the industry for years. Jealousy however, as far too often these narrow views are about, is a very cancerous thing....go James. :-)

[@chriscaulfield3933]

Absolutely amazing and inspiring. My favourite Ted talk so far and I watch a lot. Thanks James

[@SC-vb2ui]

LoVe 💚James Soul,So Authentic. Follow his Intuition to express his loVe , Compassions towards others.I In Same time he need the most.🎹

[@marciaharms465]

Yes!! Thanks for reminder about what is important, the wonders of music healing the human psyche.

[@beatrizmendez3180]

Doy gracias por haberte visto en la tele en una de tus entrevistas ahí aprendí tu nombre con ansiedad pues todo lo que decías me conmovía hasta lo más profundo del alma Ahora escucho que interpretas esa maravillosa pieza musical eres increíble ,

[@euleneats]

I knew a musician like him. He was convinced that the guitar was his lover

[@aquojokah88]

ciara carlin i can fully relate ..

[@jorgepena3600]

Inner music classic music that’s great now the music that Crist produces in ur heart is the music we all want to hear from the inside out and for sure we all can learn how to awake him in our selfs

[@elias7748]

Without music, we wouldn’t exist because music is within ourselves

[@adriennesmith200]

I have to thank you, I'm not sure why the emotions you evoked in me helped me release so that I could start connecting to myself. I have always had a strong connection to music and will continue to listen deep inside. ❤🙏🎼🎵🎶

[@user-iw4op1ul9p]

"We've forgotten how to shut the f**k up"---Truth

[@Relapsation]

I wish this video would never end. Absolutely beautiful.

[@dannymeyer3256]

Loved his speech and beautiful music at the end.

[@lindsaymcd5648]

I love the opening song. I learned it last summer as my first piano piece, and I have been obsessed ever since

[@viggos.n.5864]

That's great!

[@johnnynfriends5334]

what song is it

[@coachvibhutiresilientminds7284]

Spell bound ! I learnt a new word " Interiority" Powerful indeed

[@musiconthebrain8406]

I believe this guy feels like his life has really improved for him though music.

[@shilpagowda8520]

I love this guy.

[@vdreaming]

I'm in tears. I so agree. Music saved my life, too. Also, I would love that app. ❤

[@janifaferguson]

Thank you, James.

[@alecarrizo5019]

Wowww I really love your music..U make feel that I am at home

[@shawnparker1207]

even I was able to somehow complete the bach prelude it can be done in a short amount of time

[@szymonpabijanek6290]

I think there is a lot of good stuff in what he's saying. I dived deep inside myself to listen, to access this space where the magic happens. It's all there and it is wonderful. Sad that so many people haven't got a clue about it. I do think that this particular speech is very biased though and it's not promoting this topic from a healthy perspective. .

[@Shirley0850]

Look up Natalie Trayling's video on The Feed. An 84-year-old street piano player. She is amazing and has an amazing story that is fascinating. It's all about the music, not the money.

[@peterfromport6979]

You have had a huge impact on me James... Thank you.

[@godisright2155]

A man with soulful message in words and in music!

[@PerformerFocus]

I absolutely love James' message.

[@stellatalami]

I totally agree with the ideas you gave me with your speech (as a musician and singer, I hope to talk about music in TedX, too, one day). Thank you for all and good music and life to you!

[@rotheantitryhard]

I could hear at 17:24 the piano sound like he said "No one listened... no one..." ... He played perfectly

[@oberonstar6278]

education needs to hear this music is a source of creativity and creativity is the source of evolution musical opens up to other dimensions of ourselves that remain dormant without it. Thank you James

[@lpon3675]

My vote is to rename "classical music" to "Timeless Music"

[@tshidibenjamin4879]

I love this guy

[@KumarSangeeth19]

Absolutely Fantastic! Your talk and Music took me to a different level.

[@cynic150]

So-called classical music is available and can be understood by anyone, regardless of his status or dress. This is obvious. The trouble is that pop culture dominates everywhere through ignorance, being pushed on the masses by the media, and avoidance of something better. Everywhere you go you hear pop music. So people develop the false ideas e.g. that classical music is:"boring; only for intellectuals; rich people; snobs". This is completely wrong. You only have to look at the masses of young people standing to hear the London Promenade concerts. Pop music is easy to listen to. You get immediate gratification. But it is also crude and can hold anti-social messages. Classical music on the other hand requires a little more effort to learn to understand, but the rewards are far more. The telling thing is that when people are introduced to some classical piece a few times on the pop media, they come to like it immensely, e.g. Pachelbel's Canon. Why, they say, have I not heard this before? They should ask the popular media moguls.

[@MichaelLynMusic]

Love it brother........keep up the wonderful work.....we will be listening

[@virginiadavidson7862]

In all the "greats," James, I would include you with the music of your soul. Thank you for being that beauty!

[@kathleenwalsh567]

First I've known of this amazing fellow..thanks to a dear friend who sent it to me..a piano mater in his own right

[@lolinpadros8478]

Kathť6leen Walsh

[@lolinpadros8478]

Kathleen Walsh 6

[@eytschmaen]

Music touches the soul.

[@lostkiddie]

This is one of those Ted talks I didn't speed up 2x

[@remkojerphanion4686]

The difference between truth and trust is only one letter

[@toonerama]

Sublime.

[@AustereAttic]

Pure music = music without words

[@SimonPiano42]

I tend to agree, though many people pretty much need singing and text in music for it to be accessible, as that's what they're used to. Pure music is also abstract music, unnatural music so to say, because we naturally tend to sing along instead of just listening. This singing then has to be internalized, transfered and abstracted to the singing of an instrument. But i'm ranting, pardon me.

[@marylouise2257]

Beautiful! Tyvm 🎶🎶🎶

[@xzonia1]

This is beautiful. I've always wanted to learn piano. I ordered your book last week, and I'm just waiting for it to arrive. Thank you!

[@tatianapostman9134]

xzonia1 hi! Have you started playing? I hope so!

[@janavandenberg8554]

Yaaaaaaaaas speak the truth my brother. Thank you.

[@PiscesSenpai]

James Rhodes is an idol of mine

[@lolinpadros8478]

Mousey m

[@Madmatilda42]

Thank you. 😊

[@inoritoo]

Powerfull contribution for who listen. Thanks 🙏🏽❤️💜💛

[@paulskillman6634]

I think you are really great! Thank you!

[@scimatar5]

Unfortunately, Classical music is the best term for it. It was music written at a time when Europe was trying to rediscover the mysteries of the Classical era of Ancient Greece and Rome. The music tended to be opera centric and even the non operatic pieces fell under a similar style because that was the music the aristocracy. The reason that Opera was such a big thing, was because theatre as we know today was no longer a fledgling and people were wanting bigger and grander spectacles. Back in the days of ancient Greece, their theatre was accompanied by a chorus, and opera was the only way that the people of this time had to find a way to try and recreate this completely mysterious art form. Because the music was trying to emulate the classical eras of antiquity, it was dubbed, Classical music, even after the music no longer followed this same pattern. It turned from "let's recreate the grandness of the ancient empires," to, "that's the music rich people listen to."

[@couldliveonyoutube1841]

Interiority! I love it.

[@josephinegutierrez1394]

Thank you.

[@henryomorodion]

quite appreciate this talk makes me love music more . thanks

[@lorraineharris9906]

Beautiful and thank you for your awesome honesty

[@donnieiforrest1733]

Musicians are from another dimensional realm here on Earth in Human form Music is their language that’s how they communicate

[@paulgillen7748]

How about Origin music or Genesis music? you are an inspiration James, good healing.

[@frazerburns91]

Cheers James

[@zeljkokazina]

thank you a million times

[@ursschaffer5736]

Just great!!