Customer Reviews

Free Play: Improvisation in Life and Art

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Reading Free Play is a journey; and as such, it is not an easy one. That is its most enduring reward. When a good friend gave me the book to read in 1993, I doubted what I could possibly gain from it, since I considered myself hopelessly awkward compared to her. Through such a toxic prism, I couldn't make any sense of the book, much less embrace it. It read like one big abstraction, with no relevance to me or my life. After a month of fitful starts and stops, I returned the book to my friend in frustration.

Something about it, though, made me buy my own copy in 1998. I started taking voice lessons for singing early last year, and am preparing for a major performance next week. Two weeks ago, I decided to take another stab at reading Free Play. In doing so, I found my key to appreciating the book, and relishing all it has to offer, from beginning to end. Although Nachmanovitch is a musician, he beautifully expands the idea of Improvisation to include any medium through which we express ourselves, and live.

Some friendly advice: When sitting down to read this book, get rid of all negative thoughts and judgments about yourself. While reading it, think of all the things in life you love to do, regardless of how well you or others think you do them. Whoever you are, and whatever you do, this book will help you discover what creativity is, where it comes from, how we block it, and how we can make it sizzle. If you stick with Free Play, you will get to know what's possible when you conquer fear and self-doubt just long enough to do what you love, for its own sake and on your own terms. Stephen Nachmanovitch has written a labor of love, and encourages us to see and live our lives this way. For that, Free Play is a true classic.

This a wonderful handbook for anyone trying to create art or live life creatively. It's practical in that offers helpful techniques on getting past "blocks." It's inspiring in its insights into the nature of the creative act. It's enjoyable to read with its plethora of quotations, illustrations and photographs, and teaching stories. It's wise, it's playful, its honest. In short, it's a piece of art in and of itself--accessible, illuminating, beautiful. It should be every artist's companion.

I love this book. I have read this highly readable book more than 25 times in the last five years. So much that I took its message to heart, as I will specify below. The book suggests inspiring stories, tips, and lessons for making yourself more flexible at the core. Let Go - this is the central message of the book. Letting go of our preconceived notions can improve our sense of autonomy, and help us play freely the game of life. Like a god. On one inspired moment after reading this book, earlier this year, I let go of this great book. So it won't any longer be a crutch I hold on to in every moment of difficulty. I have recommended this book to all my friends.

It's sub-title is "The Power of Improvisation in Life and the Arts," and it is truly a treasure for those who would seek new ways of creating and living. It contains well-informed discussions on sources of ideas; going about the work; silencing that ever-present critical shadow; and making art because "we have an ilienable right to create." With wonderful quotes from Henry Miller, Rumi, William Carlos Williams, William Blake and Martha Graham, to name a few, this book is completely dog-eared and remains my bed-side companion. I have given it as gifts to younger members of my family - who are not artists - to "cheer them on" them as they explore what their lives have to offer.

I am currently using sections from this book to teach a course in creativity. It is a superb overview of the subject; both motivational and rich in anecdote about the creative process of high-level artists and scientists. Great for breaking through any blocks you may have and extremely well written as well.

I typically look at non-fiction books through the lens of business management and decision-making -- frames of reference that revere focus and efficiency. So, where does a book on "Play" fit into this? Very precisely and efficiently, actually.
The book says that great moments in science occur when the seemingly complex is suddenly resolved by seeing the underlying design or motif that explains things deeply.
Getting to this point requires indulging the creative process, regardles of whether the context is fine art, music, science or even business.
Easier said than done! And that's what this book is all about -- explaining the complex notion of creativity.
Playing is how we learn and discover the intracacies of an infinitely complex universe. Yet, when we rush to a conclusion or, worse, criticize ourselves (or others, for that matter) for not having already perfected a task, everything shuts down. Learning and creativity halt.
This is not to say that playing is a free-for-all. Rather, the book emphasizes that you must have a command of technique ... which, it goes on to say springs forth from play.
In all, the book does a beautiful job of explaining that "free play must be tempered with judgment, and judgment tempered with freedom to play."

I have been buying books at Amazon for years, and this is the first review I ever felt compelled to write. Simply put, this is the book I buy and give to family and friends. The knowledge contained in this book is potent and reflect the juicy nuggets of a lucious truth that can be known and experienced in this life. Why just connect with the font of life when you can merge fully into it. I highly recommend this book.

A feel for the deep insides of creativity, no matter what path you walk in life. Life can be lived as art, and this book shows you how. Every page a blessing.

This book basically tells you to get out of your own way and let your creativity flow! The author has a lot of information in it and I needed a couple of reads to get most of it. I thought it was wonderful, very well written, and the results can be very effective in life. My piano playing has gotten much more free and fun. I rarely play a song the same way twice - just let things flow. If you are into anything creative, I don't think you will be disappointed with this book.

thankyou to mr. nachmanovitch. i treasure this book a great deal. it is one of those books you could read over and over, and each time learn something new or gain a new insight into "something", there are so many topics covered.
i would only read a chapter at a time of this book. i think it is very intensely packed with information, and you must let material sink inside you. to scan the book in a day or two will not do it justice. i enjoyed carrying around with me a chapter for a day, or week for that matter, before advancing to the next chapter. the best way to use this book is to take the things to heart, not just to read them, but put them into action.
i constantly would have to rest the book on my lap, gaze up through my ceiling and just kinda let my mind wander. his use of language is extremely clear and imaginative. i would even get goose bumps after certain paragraphs, especially when he talked about the audience and the performers melting into a cohesive organism.
i am still learning from this book, and i always will. i deeply recommend it to any musician, anyone who loves creativity, or anyone who would just like to know what the heck any of this stuff means. great for the professional or amatuer, musician or not.