Music and Taijiquan

[Xue Sheng]

My first Shifu always played Chinese music when we did taijiquan forms, I was never a fan of that practice. My Yang SHifu never played any music, and to me, the music was a distraction from what you should be focusing on.

However today i saw something that made me feel that music with taijiquan might be a good idea in some cases. They are using dance with music, both seated and standing, to help those diagnosed with Parkinson's, and it seems to help them with their daily activities and give them some elevated sense of control. It is not a cure, but it does helo them cope. My guess, taijiqun, done with music, woud have the same effect.

My father passed away 13 years ago due to Parkinson's disease, so I tend to take notice when I see things associated with Parkinson's.

Although I still don't feel Music with taijiquan is a good idea for most, it gets you focusing on music, IMO, it becomes a dance. But for Parkinson's sufferers I think it could be a good thing.

 

[Appledog]

My first Shifu always played Chinese music when we did taijiquan forms, I was never a fan of that practice. My Yang SHifu never played any music, and to me, the music was a distraction from what you should be focusing on.

However today i saw something that made me feel that music with taijiquan might be a good idea in some cases. They are using dance with music, both seated and standing, to help those diagnosed with Parkinson's, and it seems to help them with their daily activities and give them some elevated sense of control. It is not a cure, but it does helo them cope. My guess, taijiqun, done with music, woud have the same effect.

My father passed away 13 years ago due to Parkinson's disease, so I tend to take notice when I see things associated with Parkinson's.

Although I still don't feel Music with taijiquan is a good idea for most, it gets you focusing on music, IMO, it becomes a dance. But for Parkinson's sufferers I think it could be a good thing.

Depends how you train. I have several playlists I use for different sets and so forth, depending on the crowd I'm teaching (or if I'm alone).

The thing with music is actually an exercise/fitness thing too, with some runners/walkers/etc. advocating music and some no music.

There are pros and cons. I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss music, but I wouldn't use it all the time either. If you want a higher level answer, by the time it matters you will be able to tune out the music to focus on what you need to focus on anyways. If your having trouble with that, turn off the music. If your not having trouble with that, I say pump up the volume!

 

[Xue Sheng]

Depends how you train. I have several playlists I use for different sets and so forth, depending on the crowd I'm teaching (or if I'm alone).

The thing with music is actually an exercise/fitness thing too, with some runners/walkers/etc. advocating music and some no music.

There are pros and cons. I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss music, but I wouldn't use it all the time either. If you want a higher level answer, by the time it matters you will be able to tune out the music to focus on what you need to focus on anyways. If your having trouble with that, turn off the music. If your not having trouble with that, I say pump up the volume!

IMO, in most cases, using music to train is distracting you from what you should be focusing on, and does not give you the results you should be aiming for.

In some cases, such as the Parkinson’s suffers, it is a good thing since it gives you the results you are looking for.

The use of music, IMO, depends on what your goal is.

 

[Appledog]

IMO, in most cases, using music to train is distracting you from what you should be focusing on, and does not give you the results you should be aiming for.

What should we be focusing on (during Tai Chi practice)? In the beginning I used to pick one of YCF's 10 points or a tai chi principle every time I did the form and work on that. After a while I didn't need to focus on them so much.

Is there something else that we should be focusing on that music would always interfere with? Or is it like math homework -- at first you need to concentrate but later on once you get better at doing the problems, you can listen to music while churning them out?

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

in most cases, using music to train is distracting you from what you should be focusing on, and does not give you the results you should be aiming for.

Agree! You try to coordinate your movement with the music speed and not your own breathing speed, or your intend combat speed which defeat the purpose of your training.

The speed of Chang Taiji form training depends on my breathing speed that each move is either 1 inhale, or 1 exhale. If I try to follow the music speed and not my own breathing speed, the training will be all messed up.

 

[Xue Sheng]

What should we be focusing on (during Tai Chi practice)? In the beginning I used to pick one of YCF's 10 points or a tai chi principle every time I did the form and work on that. After a while I didn't need to focus on them so much.

Is there something else that we should be focusing on that music would always interfere with? Or is it like math homework -- at first you need to concentrate but later on once you get better at doing the problems, you can listen to music while churning them out?

Breath, opponent, stepping, movement, posture, air, etc. Starting by listening to music is, IMO, dancing. I can dance and think about what I had for lunch, what I am doing tomorrow. Basically it can be mindless. And thinking about one of the 10 principles, while dancing, and listening to music, is IMO, not focusing properly, It is a best distracted thinking.