The thinking mind thinks. The musical mind audiates. The imagination imagines images. The musical imagination imagines rhythm, tonal, and movement. The thinking mind and the imagination are one. The musical mind and the musical imagination are one. Audiation is the “thought process” of the musical mind.
There are three main arteries to the heart of audiation—rhythm, tonal, and movement. The development of rhythm and tonal audiation is essential to all levels of music learning, from the earliest beginnings through music reading, writing, and improvisation. Movement propels rhythm and tonal audiation and inspires musical energy through all dimensions of musicality. Artistry springs forth from audiation.