Music Maker Mindset #1 | Tuning Into Positivity | How Feynman’s Playful Mindset Can Boost Your Musical Creativity
How a physicist’s love for fun could unlock your next big tune
by Rich Steve Beck - PMFC Global Editor, Industry Networker and Mastering Engineer
The Bloke Who Loved a Wobble
Richard Feynman wasn’t your average boffin. Back in his school days, while other kids were kicking a ball about, he’d stare at water streaming from a tap, fascinated by how it narrowed as it fell. “I didn’t have to do it; it wasn’t important for the future of science; somebody else had already done it,” he’d later say with a grin. “That didn’t make any difference: I’d invent things and play with things for my own entertainment.” Pure curiosity, no agenda—just a lad having a laugh with the world.
Years later, burnt out from the grind of physics, Feynman wondered if that kid-like wonder could pull him back from the edge. What if he stopped treating his work like some grand mission and started mucking about with it instead? “I got this new attitude,” he decided. “Just like I read the Arabian Nights for pleasure, I’m going to play with physics, whenever I want to, without worrying about any importance whatsoever.” No pressure, no stakes—just fun.
It all kicked off with a wobbling plate. One day, he spotted a dish spinning through the air in a cafeteria, and that was it—he was hooked. For weeks, he fiddled with equations to figure out its dance, not because it mattered, but because it tickled him. His mates at work were baffled. “There’s no importance whatsoever,” he’d tell them, shrugging. “I’m just doing it for the fun of it.” Little did he know, that playful spark would light up some of his biggest ideas.
From Plates to Possibilities
Feynman didn’t stop at the plate. The more he messed about with its wobble, the more it got him thinking. Could that spinning motion be like electrons jiggling in an atom? Maybe even hint at the wild world of quantum electrodynamics? “Before I knew it (it was a very short time), I was ‘playing’ – working, really – with the same old problems,” he said. What started as a lark turned into proper breakthroughs, all because he let himself enjoy the ride.
For us musos, there’s a lesson here. Imagine you’re twanging a guitar string or tweaking a beat, not to nail a deadline, but just to see what happens. That’s where Feynman’s magic lives—letting joy lead the way. “The real fun of life,” he reckoned, “is this playing around.” And he’s bang on. When you ditch the stress and lean into the fun, you’re not just faffing about—you’re opening doors to stuff you’d never dream up otherwise.
The Science of Playing with Music
There’s more to this than just Feynman’s whimsy—science backs it up too. Barbara Fredrickson, a clever clogs in psychology, found that positive emotions like joy and curiosity do wonders for your head. She ran this cheeky test where she stressed people out with a fake public speaking gig—heart rates up, palms sweaty, the lot. Then she showed some of them cheerful clips, and guess what? They calmed down faster than the rest, their minds loosening up to new ideas.
For musicians, that’s massive. Think about the last time you were bricking it before a gig or stuck on a track that wouldn’t budge. Fredrickson’s “broaden-and-build” idea says positive vibes don’t just chill you out—they widen your creative lens. Studies show it too: drummers improvising in a good mood churn out wilder, better beats. So, if Feynman’s plate-wobbling sparked quantum leaps, a bit of musical play could spark your next banger.
How to Channel Feynman’s Vibe into Your Music
Fancy giving this playful positivity a whirl? Here’s how you can nick a page from Feynman’s book and get your musical mojo flowing:
- Mess About for Fun: Grab your instrument or decks and faff with something daft—a wonky riff, a weird effect—just because it makes you smile. No goal, no pressure.
- Savour the Little Wins: Nailed a tricky bit or stumbled on a cool sound? Take a sec to enjoy it, like Feynman did with his plate. It keeps the good vibes rolling.
- Step Back and Breathe: When it’s all feeling heavy, pause. Stick on a tune that lifts you—maybe some Bowie or Marley—and let it reset you, no strings attached.
- Jam with Your Mates: Rope in a pal for a laugh and a muck-about. Feynman loved bouncing ideas off others; you might strike gold with a shared giggle.
- Tune Into What Sparks You: Crank up a track that gets you buzzing, something that reminds you why music’s your thing. Let it fuel your playtime.
These aren’t big, serious to-dos—they’re about finding the fun, like Feynman did, and letting it carry you somewhere brilliant.
Music’s Playful Heart
Feynman’s story shows us that genius doesn’t always come from grinding—it can come from playing. That wobbling plate didn’t just amuse him; it led to ideas that changed physics. For us in the music game, a bit of that same spirit could be the key to shaking off the stress and finding our groove again. “I’m going to play with physics, whenever I want to,” he said, and look where it got him.
Bob Marley had it right too: “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” So, next time you’re feeling the weight of it all, take a leaf out of Feynman’s book—pick up your gear, have a laugh, and see where the fun takes you. You might just stumble on your own musical quantum leap.
Scribbled this on March 19, 2025, with a brew and a nod to Feynman’s mad brilliance.
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