A few days ago, my violin teacher Rob Flax introduced me to the song Cissy Strut, which was recorded by The Meters in 1969. Of note, Art Neville, brother of Aaron, wrote the song and also played it. Rob told me, “In my opinion, if you are making music you are singing or drumming, or both at the same time. The goal is to make people dance, to make the body move, and to groove.” Soon Rob had me beat-boxing and dancing around my bedroom (the lesson was via video because of Omicron). And he gave me a homework assignment – “to try to approximate the melody, chordal information, and rhythmic backing parts including organ fills and rhythm guitar, and to play along with the recording with your violin 8-10 times.” As I did that my goal was to isolate each instrument’s attempt to infiltrate the song.
I was a bit confused but inspired. So I started listening to Cissy Strut, over and over, trying to hear the snare drum, the hi-hat, the bass, the guitar, tapping my right foot, typing on the keyboard (pretending it was a piano), bobbing my head, keeping the rhythm going. I also played “air violin” – thinking about what bowings I might use if I were actually playing a funky jazz fiddle. How could I mimic the articulations of a drum, of a sax?
I swayed back and forth, engrossed in he music, and became pumped up, thinking about the concept of “freedom.” I took off my dog’s collar – she’s free! I am free too! No worries! No EPIC!
Eventually, Margo fell asleep, collarless, and snoozed on the couch as I grooved along with Cissy Strut.
What else happened today? I learned a lot about MaxiFi financial planning software, but am not certain if it is right for me. I learned how to throw the discus at White Stadium in Franklin Park – an ancient game. I read about the neurology of dance. I was in the clinic for a session and saw a few patients. It was a good day.
Now it’s time to dance. Or throw the discus. Or buy snowshoes. A mini-blizzard is bearing down on us in Massachusetts. But EPIC also is demanding my attention…
Philip A. Lederer 
You are a beat-boxer?
Thanks
On Fri, Jan 28, 2022 at 6:18 AM Health and Healing wrote:
> Philip Lederer MD posted: ” A few days ago, my violin teacher Rob Flax > introduced me to the song Cissy Strut, which was recorded by The Meters in > 1969. Of note, Art Neville, brother of Aaron, wrote the song and also > played it. Rob told me “In my opinion, if you are making music yo” >