Hi Mr. Werner,

I want to thank you for writing “Effortless Mastery”. You must know it has been a wonderful discovery for me. We are the same age and seem to have had some similar childhood experiences. I have been playing the piano since I was 7 years old, I studied at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago were I grew up. When I was 36 I became a Physical Therapist. I always felt that I really didn’t belong in the medical field but you gotta do something. Part of my education required taking several classes at the University of Illinois School of Medicine with the medical students. My teachers were doctors. There was always a voice in my mind that asked: “What do you think you’re doing here?”. Since I was never “found out”, I became a PT.

A few months ago I was evaluating a woman who had been in a terrible auto accident. She was in very bad shape with many problems, and severe pain. She had been through hell, and was still there. She was angry and difficult to deal with. As I began examining her and taking inventory of her issues and problems that must be addressed, I began to experience almost a debilitating anxiety; the usual symptoms of tightness in my chest, heart pounding and fear. It was difficult for me to get through the evaluation. Later while reviewing her problems, I realized that I knew exactly what to do about each issue. I have done this so many times before. So why do I feel panic? I realized it was the paper work. I knew I would have to spend a couple of hours doing some very unpleasant paper work. Imagine having to fill out forms that will become long legal documents using coding systems and verbiage to explain and justify in detail everything you played after every tune you perform, and how !
you’re going to play it next time. It’s the law. It is madness. This constant pressure has contributed, in no small way, to health and personal problems.

I now go into the space! The paper work is not so bad. I see it for what it is. Can you believe it? It’s getting easier and I almost don’t mind it.

I have seen some of your stuff on youtube, and I just received Effortless Mastery of Melody, Harmony & Rhythm. What I have just discovered is how much I enjoy your playing! When I saw “I Time for love” I had to purchase the CD. That’s my favorite tune. I play the first few pages of the Bill Evans arrangement almost every day. Now I go to the space to play it. There isn’t much work anymore but I don’t mind. I recently called my drummer to tell him I had a gig for us and ask if he had that date open. He said “Let me check my schedule. Oh wait, I just remembered, I don’t have a schedule”.

Again, thank you,

Leon C.