“Whatever music you play or sing, your objective is to express musical ideas, not spew out notes.” -The Musician’s Way, p. 24 Accomplished musicians bring vibrancy to every sound they make – there’s an emotional power to their music that...
“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...
“With a commitment on your calendar, your practice becomes targeted toward an exhilarating purpose.” -The Musician’s Way, p. 108 Some musicians relish daily practice; others struggle to work consistently. Whatever our relationship with practice might be,...
“Being a musician isn’t about pursuing some nirvana of artistic enlightenment; it’s about endless refinement and discovery.” -The Musician’s Way, p. 110 This blog and The Musician’s Way book explore diverse strategies to practice deeply and...
“Every performance is different. That’s the beauty of it.” -Van Morrison The Musician’s Way, p. 153 To reach the heart of performance, let’s start by deciphering what a performance is. Consider this: When we play or sing for someone else, we’re performing; and...
“When I play, I make love – it is the same thing.” -Arthur Rubinstein, pianist The Musician’s Way, p. 207 If you’ve read much about performing, then you’ve probably run into the terms “peak performance,” “flow,” and “being in the zone.” Those synonymous...
“Keen self-listening is central to musical excellence.” -The Musician’s Way, p. 16 Without the ability to hear ourselves precisely, we can’t perform to professional standards nor solve problems in practice. Fortunately, today’s digital recorders empower us...
“One must approach music with a serious rigor and, at the same time, with a great, affectionate joy.” –Nadia Boulanger The Musician’s Way, p. 292 How we sound in performance is a direct result of how we practice. So even though practice entails focused work, it’s...
“When we generate positive emotions, we ignite creativity.” The February 2014 issue of The Musician’s Way Newsletter coalesces more than 20 resources for performers, educators, and arts administrators. You’ll find articles about boosting creativity, enhancing...
