SKY ACADEMY P H I L O S O P H Y
An Attempt To Teach The “Unteachable”
There are five main stages which constitute the teachings of SkyAcademy:
We shall name these “The Five Spheres of Sky Academy Knowledge”.
These are:
I) The Principles of Music
II) Man and Music
III) The Way of the Guitar - The Instrument as a Bridge
II) Man and Music
III) The Way of the Guitar - The Instrument as a Bridge
IV) The Light of Art - From Inspiration to Creativity
V) Achieving Oneness - Mastery
V) Achieving Oneness - Mastery
EXPLANATIONS:
Sphere I:
The Principles of Music
In the context of Sky Academy teaching, the first sphere of knowledge is that of MUSIC herself. This pertains to the very fabric of music, as well as to its metaphysics. Music is seen as a mirror image of the principles of creation.
We are looking at the main building blocks and constituents of music like through a prism of light and are evaluating our findings. Music – and particularly its inner workings and guiding principles - are explored in a novel and inspirational way. This is aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the unwritten laws of music. We are trying to uncover some of the profound mysteries and secrets, as well as taking a hard and new look at the foundations – meaning - the basics.
Key Subjects:
The Metaphysics of Music
The Principle of Gravity in Music
The Golden Section Principle
The Three Pillars of Rhythm, Melody and Harmony
This is U.J.R.’s personal guide to achieving mastery of the instrument.
Practical, hands-on approaches alternate with metaphysical aspects of guitar playing. Drawing from just about the whole gamut of his experience and insights, U.J.R. looks at all the angles, both in musical as well as in practical terms. Much emphasis is given to the centerline of ergonomics of guitar playing. The technically most proficient and most organic, direct approaches are favored, while always keeping in mind that musical and aesthetic considerations should be given the dominant priority. Economy of motion and harmony of execution - is one of the key concepts here. Ergonomics in specific and in general, are also playing a vital role in this. Furthermore, this stage includes teaching about practical insights, such as achieving a good tone and sound production, amplification, microphones and guitars.
Key Subjects:
The Story of the Electric Guitar as seen through the eyes of U.J.R.
Guitar Techniques and Tools of Expression
Guitar Styles and Approaches
Transcending Technique
The Importance of Achieving a Great Tone
Left Hand – Right Hand – One Hand
Study Pieces and Exercises
The Art of Phrasing
Roadmaps – Do’s and Don’ts
Guitars, Amplification and Effects
In the Studio and on the Road
------------------------------------------------------------------------------During the seminars all five spheres of knowledge are touched upon, not necessarily in consecutive order, but they are seen and treated as an organic whole –
The Principle of Gravity in Music
The Golden Section Principle
The Three Pillars of Rhythm, Melody and Harmony
Fathoming the Fabric of Music
Music is Light
Waves, Frequencies – The Sonic Fabric of the Universe
Music is Light
Waves, Frequencies – The Sonic Fabric of the Universe
The Texture of Sound - Sonic Images and their Surfaces
The Colors of Music
The Twelve Orbits of Power
Musical Archetypes
Re-evaluating the basic Principles while moving towards the Advanced
The Colors of Music
The Twelve Orbits of Power
Musical Archetypes
Re-evaluating the basic Principles while moving towards the Advanced
Sphere II:
Man and Music - The Principles of Man
The second sphere of knowledge is concerned with man, especially regarding the human experience of interacting with music.
In Sky Academy teaching, man is an instrument. We are designed according to the same principles as is music – in many respects we are music. Music uses man as an instrument – and man uses instruments to create music – this seeming dichotomy can serve as a powerful mirror and a touchstone for our personal development.
It is U.J.R.'s conviction that the spirit of music can teach us a lot more about ourselves and our identity than was hitherto realized. Music does hold vital and as yet unfamiliar keys to the spiritual evolution of the human race. It is the aim of Sky Academy to play a vital role in unlocking and utilizing some of this enormous potential.
This second stage of the teaching is concerned with ourselves. It aims to deepen our awareness of body, mind and soul. It explores the psychology of the self in the context of how we are experiencing and how we are making music. It looks at how we relate to music; it looks at how to learn most effectively and how to avoid mind-traps.
We are probing our emotions, our senses, our selves and – ultimately - our egos. This may lead us to establishing a completely new and much deeper, more fulfilling “relationship” with the spirit of music, cleansed of misperceptions, misapprehensions and opinions. This may also lead us to start walking through our lives in a different, much more meaningful way.
We are also looking at ways of sharpening our powers of musical judgment.
In Sky Academy teaching, man is an instrument. We are designed according to the same principles as is music – in many respects we are music. Music uses man as an instrument – and man uses instruments to create music – this seeming dichotomy can serve as a powerful mirror and a touchstone for our personal development.
It is U.J.R.'s conviction that the spirit of music can teach us a lot more about ourselves and our identity than was hitherto realized. Music does hold vital and as yet unfamiliar keys to the spiritual evolution of the human race. It is the aim of Sky Academy to play a vital role in unlocking and utilizing some of this enormous potential.
This second stage of the teaching is concerned with ourselves. It aims to deepen our awareness of body, mind and soul. It explores the psychology of the self in the context of how we are experiencing and how we are making music. It looks at how we relate to music; it looks at how to learn most effectively and how to avoid mind-traps.
We are probing our emotions, our senses, our selves and – ultimately - our egos. This may lead us to establishing a completely new and much deeper, more fulfilling “relationship” with the spirit of music, cleansed of misperceptions, misapprehensions and opinions. This may also lead us to start walking through our lives in a different, much more meaningful way.
We are also looking at ways of sharpening our powers of musical judgment.
A crucial goal is to “get in tune” with ourselves, our instruments and the music. This is very close to the essence and purport of Sky Academy.
Key Subjects:
The Psychology of Music
Body, Mind and Soul in relation to Music
Explore your Personality through Music
The Art of Listening
Tuning Your Mind
Super Learning - Practising
The Inner Clock
The Listening Experience
The Art of Performance
The Art of Interpretation
The Art of Lead-playing
The Art of Ensemble playing
Key Subjects:
The Psychology of Music
Body, Mind and Soul in relation to Music
Explore your Personality through Music
The Art of Listening
Tuning Your Mind
Super Learning - Practising
The Inner Clock
The Listening Experience
The Art of Performance
The Art of Interpretation
The Art of Lead-playing
The Art of Ensemble playing
Sphere III:
The Way of the Guitar - The Instrument as a Bridge
In the third sphere of Sky Academy teaching, music is working through man, who uses an instrument.
In the third sphere of Sky Academy teaching, music is working through man, who uses an instrument.
The third key stage is dedicated to the instrument of our choice – in our case usually the guitar, which is supremely suitable for this task at hand. In the context of Sky Academy teachings, we are essentially treating the guitar as our direct bridge to the heart of music, as well as to that of the listener. For Sky Academy purposes, the guitar is almost like a magic wand of some sort; but virtually any mature instrument - be it bowed or percussive - can be used for teaching these principles.
This is U.J.R.’s personal guide to achieving mastery of the instrument.
Practical, hands-on approaches alternate with metaphysical aspects of guitar playing. Drawing from just about the whole gamut of his experience and insights, U.J.R. looks at all the angles, both in musical as well as in practical terms. Much emphasis is given to the centerline of ergonomics of guitar playing. The technically most proficient and most organic, direct approaches are favored, while always keeping in mind that musical and aesthetic considerations should be given the dominant priority. Economy of motion and harmony of execution - is one of the key concepts here. Ergonomics in specific and in general, are also playing a vital role in this. Furthermore, this stage includes teaching about practical insights, such as achieving a good tone and sound production, amplification, microphones and guitars.
Key Subjects:
The Story of the Electric Guitar as seen through the eyes of U.J.R.
Guitar Techniques and Tools of Expression
Guitar Styles and Approaches
Transcending Technique
The Importance of Achieving a Great Tone
Left Hand – Right Hand – One Hand
Study Pieces and Exercises
The Art of Phrasing
Roadmaps – Do’s and Don’ts
Guitars, Amplification and Effects
In the Studio and on the Road
Sphere IV:
The Light of Art – From Inspiration to Creativity
The fourth sphere of teaching is dedicated to the result of man’s conjunction with music and the instrument. Music “creates” man and man “creates” music. According to Sky Academy’s definition, the most advanced and highest form of human music making is Art.
This key stage deals with all the artistic creative aspects of music making. The creation of art is the highest, most transcendental aspect of music making. This is where we are potentially closest to the divine aspect of our craft, if we know where to look for it, and if we are granted access.
This key stage deals with all the artistic creative aspects of music making. The creation of art is the highest, most transcendental aspect of music making. This is where we are potentially closest to the divine aspect of our craft, if we know where to look for it, and if we are granted access.
We are also focusing strongly on the elusive subjects of inspiration and creativity, which are the parents of Art.
We are talking about the importance of Art in our lives. Furthermore, we are learning about the crucial distinctions between the approach of the skilled craftsman and that of the true artist. Art is the higher octave of craftsmanship.
The main subjects are covered in-depth:
The Way of Inspiration
Getting Into The Zone
From Craftsmanship to Transcendence
We are talking about the importance of Art in our lives. Furthermore, we are learning about the crucial distinctions between the approach of the skilled craftsman and that of the true artist. Art is the higher octave of craftsmanship.
The main subjects are covered in-depth:
The Way of Inspiration
Getting Into The Zone
From Craftsmanship to Transcendence
The Light of Art
The Principles of Creation
The Judgment of Quality
The Creativity Principle
The Stages of Creativeness – The Process
From Idea to Form
The Art of Composition
The Art of Improvisation
The Art of Recording – Producing an Album
The Principles of Creation
The Judgment of Quality
The Creativity Principle
The Stages of Creativeness – The Process
From Idea to Form
The Art of Composition
The Art of Improvisation
The Art of Recording – Producing an Album
Sphere V:
Sky Academy Applied: Achieving Oneness
The fifth key stage of Sky Academy is the sum total of all its elements.
Music is not only of divine design and origin – it is an active and powerful aspect of Creation and the Creator.
Sphere Five pertains to what we can learn through music, and how we can evolve into more advanced, more spiritually sound beings.
The fifth key stage of Sky Academy is the sum total of all its elements.
Music is not only of divine design and origin – it is an active and powerful aspect of Creation and the Creator.
Sphere Five pertains to what we can learn through music, and how we can evolve into more advanced, more spiritually sound beings.
Sphere Five is about getting in tune with the Alpha and the Omega.
To be in touch with our past, present and future and at one with our destiny, which is for us to search, find and fulfill.
To be in touch with our past, present and future and at one with our destiny, which is for us to search, find and fulfill.
Stage Five also deals with some of the more advanced concepts, such as synaesthesia, transcendence, paradoxons. This is the spirit of Sky Academy applied in action. We are also talking about the healing force of music and what this means for us. Furthermore we are looking at various concentration and visualization exercises, which can help us to put all these concepts into action and to achieve the necessary states of mind. This is about connecting deeply with the heart and soul of music and with the benevolent part of mankind.
Key Subjects:
Mastery of the Self – Achieving Oneness
The Magic of Synaesthesia
The Beauty of Symmetry
In Search of Identity – the Road to Destiny
Synchronicity, Serendipity - Paradoxon
The Senses of the Higher Octaves
Concentration, Visualization, Meditation
Visions of a Potential Future
Plato’s Theory of Forms and Ideas
The Healing Power of Music
The Spirit of Music Speaks
Credo and Ethics of Sky Academy
Key Subjects:
Mastery of the Self – Achieving Oneness
The Magic of Synaesthesia
The Beauty of Symmetry
In Search of Identity – the Road to Destiny
Synchronicity, Serendipity - Paradoxon
The Senses of the Higher Octaves
Concentration, Visualization, Meditation
Visions of a Potential Future
Plato’s Theory of Forms and Ideas
The Healing Power of Music
The Spirit of Music Speaks
Credo and Ethics of Sky Academy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------During the seminars all five spheres of knowledge are touched upon, not necessarily in consecutive order, but they are seen and treated as an organic whole – a pool of ideas, concepts and knowledge, which are always regarded as a unity.
About the consecutive order of Sky Academy Stages:
It is assumed that all students of Sky Academy already have a fair amount of working knowledge
of either the guitar or another instrument.
Sky Academy teaching is not designed for beginners.
It is not a traditional course of studying a subject from A to B.
Sky Academy is a concept designed to inspire serious minded musicians. The idea is to help them attain higher levels of “mastery” - to help them get in touch with their inner selves by connecting more deeply with the very spirit of music. The teaching seeks to remove mental blockages - as well as physical ones - with the aim that the student is gradually guided to a point where he is becoming one with the music and the instrument.
This is achieved by approaching music making in a very natural and organic way; a way, which many a professional musician has not yet found real access to, despite spending years of honing their craft. This way involves the discovery of a person’s self, which is ultimately leading to self-knowledge. It is achieved by using music as a mirror, while at the same time revealing some of the most important inner workings of music itself, both on a practical, as well as on a metaphysical level.