“The Musician’s Way should be on the shelf of every aspiring professional musician and every serious music educator.”
—Clavier Companion, May/June 2010
This week marks the two-year anniversary of the launching of MusiciansWay.com.
And what an incredible two years it has been.
Over the span of these 24 months, this site has received hundreds of thousands of pageviews, and The Musician’s Way has earned unanimous praise from reviewers worldwide.
This fall, the book will enter its sixth printing, and the brisk sales made it possible for MusiciansWay.com to sponsor the prize money for the Junior Division of the 2011 American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition.
In celebration of this week’s anniversary, I’ve teamed up with Oxford University Press, publisher of The Musician’s Way, to make available two free copies of the paperback edition of the book, shipped free of charge anywhere on the globe that ordinarily receives deliveries. Yes, anywhere. So let’s here it from you far-flung music lovers.
Drawing Results: on July 28, Random.org generated 2 random numbers from among the range of 24 possibilities: 18 & 14. Congrats to Lirica and Emmanuel! And thanks to everyone who participated and for your kind comments. Your supportive words mean a great deal to me and help fuel my enthusiasm to continue publishing.
How to win
To be eligible to win a copy, comment on this post before 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 27, 2011. If you like, respond to the following question in your comment:
- How has either The Musician’s Way or this site contributed to your musical life?
One entry per person; multiple comments won’t result in multiple entries.
If your comment doesn’t appear immediately, it might temporarily be held in a moderation cue. Regardless, eligibility will be determined according to the time comments are submitted not the time of their publication.
On the day following the entry deadline, entrants will be assigned numbers, and then I’ll use a random number generator to pick winners.
I’ll notify winners via email to obtain their shipping addresses, which I’ll send to Oxford (please don’t include shipping info in your public comment).
I guard your privacy
Although all commenters must supply email addresses, those addresses aren’t published, and, as indicated in my Privacy Policy, I never share addresses.
By entering this contest, however, the winners consent to have their names and shipping addresses shared with Oxford University Press solely for the purpose of shipping books.
I also invite you to subscribe to my free bimonthly newsletter; commenters aren’t automatically subscribed, so please sign up separately.
Thanks for your support
Most of all, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to all of you who have frequented this site, picked up copies of The Musician’s Way, and otherwise supported my efforts to help musicians succeed: Thank you!
Gerald Klickstein
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I’ve been fortunate enough to discover this book and site (or perhaps vice-versa!?), although I have yet to read it — YET! I find that my practicing, and hence my perceptions of my “getting better” seem to come in ebbs and flows. Recently I’ve felt as though I’ve plateaued. I’ve been pushing so hard to try and create inspiration to practice, write, and feel better about my music and myself. It hasn’t worked, if anything it’s back-fired. Low and behold, I stumble acrross this book (which I can’t wait to read and employ) by chance. I’m enthused to experiment with this new medium and resource, as it looks remarkable!
Gerald talks about music as a product and as a process from a unique standpoint. A new dimension is seen in his posts, each of which give due importance to music as a abstract entity, the instrument and the musician her/himself. They focus on the inner world of creation and creativity, which is of paramount importance to a musician.
(Now, whether I ‘win’ the book or not, the comment is sincere, and a big, big thanks to Gerald for helping budding musicians in ways beyond imagination!)
I just came across a link to this page (and book) and it looks fantastic. I can’t wait to read it!
I’ve visited this site numerous times to read interesting blogs and tips about how to efficiently manage practicing, performing, etc. Doing so has made me think about my own habbits in violin playing in a way that I otherwise not would have. Thanks a lot
Haven’t had a chance to read the Musicians WAY or look into your site. After being in a right hand cast for 9 months after surgery some catching up is in order. Trying to get back into playing shape but some head knowledge on music would be a great filler of time until I can play without pain.
Success to you
john
I absolute love this blog and the Musician’s Way website (I wish I had a copy of the book, though!) mainly because it is a big source of inspiration to me. I’m an incoming freshman music education major and I discovered this website during my senior year. The MW website and blog really helped me when I was still trying out for All-State Choir auditions. I have become more self-aware in regards to managing my time more efficiently and practicing. It feeds my inspiration to become a better musician and overall person 🙂
In times when I get so caught up in practicing that I forget how and why I’m doing it, when I need to find my concentration again, or just relax and be more systematic – your website reminds me about the basics. So simple, but so simple to forget…
Thank you for your work. I can’t wait to read the whole book! 🙂
I already have the book and love it! Probably my favorite aspect is the deeper understanding of effective practice routines and strategies. If I win, I would be excited to give it away to a colleague or student. Thanks for the giveaway!
Just discovered your book on Amazon.com. Bookmarked it and visited your website. Looking forward to your newsletters. And will buy the book asap. Was recommended to me based on my being a fan of “Effortless Mastery” and “Zen Guitar”.
I’d like to read the book, but its not available at my public library
How has this site or the book contributed to my musical life? It hasn’t, yet. The book is on my list of must reads but haven’t gotten to it yet.
Your website has helped me so much in giving me tips for more efficient practicing. A lot of days I don’t have very much time to practice, and your articles have helped me figure out how to make the most of my time. Your tips have also helped me to have a new perspective on performing–I should be thinking about the music, and how much people enjoy it, instead of thinking about myself and my nerves. I would really enjoy a copy of your book so I can learn even more.
I began reading your book and then found your website. When I began learning to play piano at age 50, I never dreamed that it would be such pure joy. As I read the chapters and looked on different topics between both your book and site, I have gained additional confidence in my playing and have learned and am still learning how to practice, play effectively,without injury!
Your insights should be required reading fo anyone either as a vocalist,or instrumentalist. Thank you for this gift!
You website is a continuous resource since I discovered it.
It tapped on matters you don’t really think about to practice more effectively and more important, to bring forth the way to express yourself through music.
And it also helps a lot to get prepared for a performance, more so when you are not a professional musician and you try to find keys to handle an incoming concert.
Your newsletter always gives me fresh perspective enabling to be a more effective teacher, better performer, and better mom (by having more efficient practicing and thus more time to wear my “Mom hat”).
Hello Gerald,
Thank you for the book and the newsletter! Answering to your question, your book and the site are changing the way I listen to music, practice playing and even goals I set to myself. I’m a beginner and when I began learning and playing guitar I never thought of possibility getting on stage. Now I not only think it is possible but I also have a unique guidance in my music journey. Thank you!
Your website has helped me, a Suzuki(ish) violin parent, be both more effective and more understanding about both technical and mental issues during practice. It also gives me more appreciation for music, teachers and performers that I did not appreciate so much when I was a kid taking piano and flute (with teachers who probably would have benefited from this site and book, though that could also just be the bratty kid in me speaking). In any case, I’d love this book both for myself and for bequeathing to my daughter.
Being a performer and an educator since the late 70s is not easy to get overly excited about musical events, books, etc. I truly enjoyed reading and re-reading “The Musician’s Way”. It’s a great work which condenses the know-how and the philosophy of an artist, helping others in becoming better in what they love most. Last year (2010) I listed “The Musician’s Way” among the textbooks for my course “Performance Skills and Perspectives” at the University of Malta. The students love it and it definitely made a difference. Keep up the good work, Gerald! Thanks.
I think the most I could say about the influence of the book, the blog, and the companion site is that they have improved me as a person in general – musician or not. I’m more self-aware, accepting, if not embracing, of mistakes, and willing to take risks I would have never gotten close enough to even identify in the past. You’re a true advocate of the individual (alone or in collaboration), and just happen to specialize in the creative one. Thanks for your insight, wisdom and web-development skill.
Now, if you would please be so kind as to “randomly” fix this competition so that I’m guaranteed a copy… 🙂
I’m grateful for this site and the blog/newsletter, as they provide reminders to me to keep in mind the insights from the book. I’d love another copy to share with my bandmate.