“There must always be a sense of progression or movement towards definite landmarks.” –Tobias Matthay, pianist The Musician’s Way, p. 23 Rhythm comes alive when it propels listeners through a phrase via what we musicians term “forward motion.” Aside from...
“The habits that enable you to perform expressively in public can only be instilled through practice.” –The Musician’s Way, p. 149 When you’re onstage, do you feel secure and creative? If not, the reasons probably stem from the habits you reinforce in practice....
“Playing is never difficult; it is either easy, or it is impossible.” -Kato Havas, violinist The Musician’s Way, p. 21 We all love how it feels to play or sing with ease. That sense of freedom we enjoy when physical tension melts away and mental...
“I may play the same program from one recital to the next, but I will play it differently. And because it is always different, it is always new.” —Vladimir Horowitz, pianist The Musician’s Way, p. 75 Most of us musicians develop a core repertoire that we perform for...
“Only after I have become familiar with the style and character of the work can I start shaping an interpretation.” —Yo-Yo Ma, cellist The Musician’s Way, p. 24 Suppose that you’re an actor who has been hired to perform in a play. When you receive the script, what...
“The studio, a room to which the artist consigns himself for life, is naturally important, not only as workplace, but as a source of inspiration.” -Grace Glueck, journalist The Musician’s Way, p. 5 We musicians spend so much time practicing that it’s wise for us...
Visit the Downloads page for free practice sheets, logs, and more. “Nothing motivates better than success.” The Musician’s Way, p. 107 Do you typically finish practice sessions feeling that you’ve achieved meaningful goals? If not, these tips...
“The quality of your tone will probably have a more immediate impact on listeners than any other feature of your execution.” –The Musician’s Way, p. 22 We performers know the power of tone quality. Sweet tones can charm, almost like magic, and harsh sounds quickly put...
“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...
