Musicians: imagine for a moment that you could play, sing, or compose with much more freedom and abandon — and leave behind the "playing it safe." Imagine that in your next hour of practice or studio time, you could let go of any self-doubt, fear, or judgment. Think...
The terrific ensemble Eighth Blackbird (8BB) gave an excellent masterclass at Manhattan School of Music years ago that I will never forget. OK, I'm a biased fan of the group, but see what you think. Here is some of the 8BB ensemble's masterclass wisdom: How to deliver...
Masterclass teaching can be a terrific way to recruit new students and build your reputation. But only if it's done well. So how do you deliver effective and memorable masterclasses that truly resonate with student performers and audiences? To demystify all this, here...
Most of us don't like to admit that we're scared. But the truth is, we ALL have anxieties around performing, auditioning, public speaking, and/or interviewing. And then there's networking and social interactions. To help, here are my best kept Secrets Revealed: How to...
Here's the question: is your motivation crystal clear? If you're like most musicians, it's a little murky. To help, I've got a story for you plus a quick and easy Musician Motivation quiz so you can clarify your WHY. First, the story. Many years ago I met an American...
It's a topic that's rarely addressed: Artistry. Like talent and potential, most people think it can't be taught. We assume you either have it or you don't. And yet, as musicians we spend our whole lives attempting to work our way into it. Thinking about artistry...
Too many musicians are limited by the voices in their heads: the gremlins that seek to undermine our best efforts. So I ask you to . . . Imagine what a difference it would make to find freedom from negative self-talk What would that change do for you, for your...
What influences have shaped your artistic voice? I'm not asking about your teachers. This is something more holistic. I'm asking . . . What influences have shaped your aesthetic imagination? To help answer this, here's a fabulous exercise from author George Saunders....
How can we, in performance, access our best? It's a question of how to find the courage to bring our full selves to performances. Here are three favorite passages from Madeline Bruser's excellent The Art of Practicing, that speak to this question: On our inner...
Last year, Yo-Yo Ma released (as part of Audible's 'Words + Music' initiative) Beginner's Mind. It's 90 minutes of personal memoir and exclusive musical recordings. In it, Ma shares "four stories of beginnings" and the lessons he's gained over decades pursuing...
