“To be a musician in the service of music is not a job; it is a way of life.” –Isaac Stern, violinist The Musician’s Way, p. 299 I write this amid the COVID-19 pandemic, when music teachers worldwide are surmounting obstacles to provide students with...
“It’s better to do 30 minutes of high-quality work than to spin your wheels for hours.” The Musician’s Way, p. 312 Although we musicians strive to maintain regular practice schedules, we all confront periodic obstacles that prevent us from working as...
“There is no beginning. Start where you arrive.” –Auguste Rodin Cathedrals of France, p. 9 Do you want to do more with your music or otherwise be more creative, but you lack clarity about where to start? Maybe waiting for clarity isn’t the way to go....
“There can be so much to cover in a practice session that it can seem overwhelming.” –The Musician’s Way, p. 6 We all know how demotivating it can feel to have much to do yet not know where to begin. By setting small, specific goals, though, we can ignite our...
“Create meaning in everything that you practice.” -The Musician’s Way, p. 312 Have you ever started a music practice session and felt that your abilities were out of alignment? Maybe your mind was restless, your control tenuous, or your tone iffy. It’s easy for...
“Leaving your troubles behind, enter the exquisite realm of music making.” -The Musician’s Way, p. 6 The beginnings of practice sessions set in motion everything that follows. When we start practice with clear intentions, we accomplish more in the shortest...
