Exploring the tension between control and surrender in music, relationships, and creative expression.
This episode examines how dynamics shape not just musical performance, but our approach to life’s challenges and opportunities. Ben shares insights from his journey as a violinist and creator, revealing how the balance between precision and spontaneity influences everything from artistic expression to personal growth.
Keywords: musical dynamics, creative control, artistic expression, balance in life, violin performance, creative process
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Full Transcript:
YY and Me Episode 3: Dynamics
(Opening motif – plucked AE-AE medium, DA–DA soft, GD loud.)
(Violin: dry, flat performance of something familiar—technically accurate, emotionally hollow)
(YY’s voice): “Huh. That sounded weird.”
What? Every note was right.
[pause] [grunt]
Guess I just wasn’t feeling it.
(YY’s voice): “Oh. That’s also weird. You… okay?”
Not sure. Something’s off, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
Has this ever happened to you? You’re doing everything right—on paper. But it still lands wrong.
The execution’s solid. The confidence just… isn’t there.
Going through the motions is a common—and dangerous—cycle. I see it a lot with third parties I work with. Emails go unanswered. Video calls feel stiff. Something’s off, and no one says it out loud.
In music, we call this dynamics. Forte means loud. Piano means soft.
My earlier playing? It stayed mezzo-forte—medium—start to finish. Accurate. But boring. Forgettable.
Now think back. That moment with my kid—the homework lecture. Was I really talking to them… or just repeating something I’d practiced in my head? Did I pause? Listen to what they needed? Or was I just… performing?
Same with the shipper who missed a deadline. Did I ask what happened? Or just fire off a reprimand? Did I even read their response—really read it?
(YY’s voice): “Sometimes… you just screw up.”
Fair point, YY. But I’m training for that. Not to be perfect—just to notice it sooner.
(YY’s voice): “I still don’t get it.”
Okay. Let’s go back to that violin passage from earlier.
[Replay flat version.]
Now let’s add some dynamics.
[Play with full dynamic range.]
(YY’s voice): “Wow. That sounds way better!”
I think so, too. But here’s the cold truth—if you hadn’t said something earlier… I wouldn’t have noticed. I couldn’t hear it myself.
(YY’s voice): “I did that?”
You did. Sometimes, all it takes is someone saying it out loud. But that takes intuition. Courage. And respect, too.
In fact, here’s a recent example. One of my kids was having a rough evening. I was exhausted—long day at work. I got sharp. Sharper than I should’ve been. And I didn’t realize it… until a hand touched my shoulder.
I turned—expecting to see my wife—but it was my oldest.
“I think you’re being a little harsh, Dad.”
My first instinct was to defend. Say I was tired. That they were overreacting. But something cut through before I spoke. That quiet voice again.
“You’re right,” I said. Then I apologized—to both of them. The mood shifted. Not just theirs—mine. I felt like myself again.
(YY’s voice): “Was that voice… me?”
Was it? I want to say yes… but I think I just needed to hear it from someone else. Because knowing what to fix is one thing. Fixing it together? That’s harder.
(YY’s voice): “So, it’s fixed now!”
[pause]
(YY’s voice): “...Ben?”
(As if snapping out of deep reflection) Ah—sorry. Yeah, I think so? I mean… this time, it turned out okay. Next time?
(YY’s voice): “Hmm.”
(Closing motif)