"Victor Wooten, simply put, is a god. Of the bass guitar, I mean."

I’ve been to my share of rock concerts.  I’ve pushed my way through crowds of hardcore fans, screamed song lyrics among thousands in huge arenas, and have probably damaged my eardrums beyond repair—but I’ve left those places relatively unscathed.

On November 3rd, I sat quietly in a concert hall for two hours and listened to two people talk.  I’m still recovering.

Thanks to the 92nd Street Y and High 5, I got to witness the verbal and musical genius of bassist Victor Wooten and his “interviewer,” psychologist/musician/writer/producer Daniel J. Levitin, in the first event of a three-part lecture series called “Music and the Brain.”  The topic of discussion was “Music, Inspiration and Creativity: Does Practice Make Perfect?”  In an informal interview setting, punctuated by impromptu solos and duets, these two pioneers of the musical world spoke about what music really is, and how aging affects our relationship with music.  Though Levitin had questions ready for Wooten, the conversation was completely candid—yet somehow, they said it all.

It took me long enough to get past the fact that I was in a room with Levitin, author of the groundbreaking bestseller This is Your Brain on Music and The World in Six Songs; and Wooten, who, simply put, is a god.  Of the bass guitar, I mean.  I felt enlightened just by breathing in their air.

The things they said, though, were what really blew my mind.  As a musician, I’ve thought in some depth about what music means to me—but these two made me realize just how much music defines us as people.  Yet for the majority of us, playing music is not only a challenge, but a personal and emotional struggle.

As we age, our perceptions of “right” and “wrong” grow stronger.  We box ourselves into the notion of what is right, and we get stuck in that box, fearing judgment from outsiders—or from within ourselves—if we tread into “wrong” territory.

That’s why adults are often reluctant to pick up an instrument for the first time.  But Wooten and Levitin agree that when it comes to music, it’s never too late.  Once we step out of that perfectionist mode—“getting rid of the box,” as Levitin put it—the possibilities are boundless.

Furthermore, according to Levitin, the judgmental part of our brains shuts down when we play music.  Who cares if you mess up a solo?  Your brain certainly doesn’t.

Levitin had his acoustic guitar with him onstage, and he played some of his own songs for us.  For the most part, his songs were lighthearted and easy to sing along to—something he encouraged.  He was so easygoing and real; at times, I forgot that this guy was a bestselling author who had produced for Santana and the Grateful Dead.

Wooten accompanied Levitin on the bass, making things up as he went.  He also played a few solos himself.

In just two hours, the conversation darted everywhere.  Wooten talked about experiences he’s had teaching at his music camp, and Levitin educated us with some of his psychological lingo.  I confess I don’t know much beyond the basics about the workings of the brain, but this stuff was fascinating.

I couldn’t believe that these two had only just recently met in person—that day, I think.  The way they talked, joked around, and played music together, it seemed like they had been buddies for years.  The two of them radiated so much energy that when Wooten played his first bass solo, I thought something in the room might shatter.

And while we’re on the subject of bass solos…my apologies to (probably) everyone who’s reading this, but you really haven’t lived until you’ve heard Victor Wooten play his version of “Amazing Grace” live.  Just saying.

(This event was the first in a three-part series hosted by Levitin, called “Music and the Brain.”  Levitin chose Wooten to be his first guest; he will speak to Joe Henry on December 8th, and Adam Gopnik on February 9th.)