“How can music schools better prepare graduates for the innovation economy?” The April 2013 issue of The Musician’s Way Newsletter brings together more than 20 articles and resources pertinent to student and professional musicians. You’ll...
“It’s your internal motivation that opens the creative spigot.” -The Musician’s Way, p. 105 Those of us who create day after day know that things don’t always go smoothly. Sometimes our work flows; other times difficulties slow us down. But...
“Performing from memory can be a beautiful thing.” –The Musician’s Way, p. 82 As someone who has performed countless solos, I know the upsides and downsides of playing with or without a score. We musicians often debate whether to memorize or not, so...
“Rich artistic futures await the musicians who are unafraid to cut loose from predictable moorings.” -The Musician’s Way, p. 109 The December/January edition of The Musician’s Way Newsletter looks into creativity-boosting strategies, low-cost CD/DVD production...
Mindfulness Gives Performers an Edge Those of us who watch athletic competitions such as the Olympics witness some athletes who triumph and others who choke under the stress of performing. What differentiates those two groups? I’ve probed that question for...
“Music is a performing art. . . . It isn’t there in the score.” -Michael Tippett, composer (The Musician’s Way, p. 152) The October/November edition of The Musician’s Way Newsletter has landed in subscribers’ inboxes and is being forwarded widely. The newsletter...
“We first make our habits and then our habits make us.” –John Dryden, poet The Musician’s Way, p. 20 When you practice, are you consistently focused and productive? If not, the reason may be due to chronic habits that undermine your attention and creativity. Here are...
“Practice holds a place of honor in the life of a musician.” –The Musician’s Way, p. 4 All of us veteran musicians share the same twin aims when we practice: to polish our skills and prepare music for performances. We also know how to accomplish our goals efficiently....
“I’m always thinking about creating. My future starts when I wake up every morning. …Every day I find something creative to do with my life.” -Miles Davis, trumpeter and composer (The Musician’s Way, p. 309) Thanks to the code-happy primates at...