“Music making is a never-ceasing process of change and progress.” –Jacqueline du Pré, cellist The Musician’s Way, p. 205 If you aspire to perform as an independent musician, whether solo or in small groups, this article will help you stay ahead of change and be...
“Among adults who participated – as creators or performers – in performing arts activities, the majority (62 percent) did so to spend time with family and friends.” –National Endowment for the Arts “U.S. Patterns of Arts Participation,” p. 3...
“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...
“Don’t give up the dream, but build your competencies so you can pursue many dreams.” -Gerald Klickstein On March 18, 2019, I was pleased to record an interview in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with pianist Kai Talim for his outstanding “Skip the...
“Audiences differ as much as individuals do.” –The Musician’s Way, p. 209 For musicians, career sustainability hinges on audience development. When we continually attract new listeners, our revenues grow, and we gain the freedom to fully devote ourselves to our art....
“Lifelong creativity isn’t given to you. You must earn it and attend to it every day.” —Eric Maisel Creativity for Life, p. 319 To build creative, satisfying careers, we musicians need to cultivate both artistic and professional abilities. Nonetheless, few music...
“The Musician’s Way is fantastic, and is a must-read for every student and professional. . . . The book is a gold mine of information that will help musicians around the world.” —International Trumpet Guild Journal, Oct. 2011 The Spring/Summer...
“What is best in music is not to be found in the notes.” –Gustav Mahler (Gunther Schuller, The Compleat Conductor, Oxford, 1998, p. 106) If you’re a classical musician who aspires to a concert career, you’re in danger. In danger of becoming a commodity. That’s because...
“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....
