“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...
“Wise artists seek out critical evaluations.” -The Musician’s Way, p. 297 Musical collaborators come together out of a shared passion for music. And intense feelings about art can stir up ardent criticisms. How can we harmonize the critical give-and-take that’s...
“The heart of performance is about sharing music with someone else.” –The Musician’s Way, p. 154 In the June 2014 issue of The Musician’s Way Newsletter you’ll encounter a wide array of articles suited to performers, educators, and music lovers. On the...
“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...
“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...
