The Musician's Way Blog

“By taking the appropriate steps, you can acquire the ability to get up in front of people and unleash your musical soul.”
-The Musician’s Way, p. 153

I’m pleased to announce the debut of the MusiciansWay.com page on Facebook. Continue Reading

Louis Armstrong

“What we play is life.”
–Louis Armstrong, trumpeter and composer

Would many musicians dispute Louis Armstrong’s words? I doubt it.

With each turn of a phrase, we performers spin out some of the essence of being alive, and we relish every moment.

But we don’t create music for ourselves alone. Music is a social art that peaks in the interaction between performers and listeners.

And through our relationship with the public, we achieve both artistic and financial success. Continue Reading

“Playfulness and creativity go together like music and dance -
one sets the other in motion.”
-The Musician’s Way, p. 312

I just sent out the August 2010 issue of The Musician’s Way Newsletter.

My most extensive issue to date, it highlights online and technology resources for musicians and introduces a cutting-edge way that rising performers can get their music played on Internet radio alongside the tracks of established artists. Continue Reading

Michael Giacchino

“If you want to be creative, get out there and do it.”
–Michael Giacchino, composer

Almost all of the ambitious music students I meet share two common concerns.

They wonder, “Do I have what it takes?” And, ”Will I be able to earn a living in music?”

I propose that, for the students I encounter, the answer to both questions is yes. Continue Reading

John Cage

“I can’t understand why people are frightened by new ideas. I’m frightened by the old ones.”
–John Cage, composer

When I go to classical music concerts here in the U.S., I mostly find older listeners in attendance, even when the performers are college age.

But the classical music audience hasn’t always been graying. In the mid 20th century, classical music was hip in America, and young music lovers flocked to concerts.

What happened? And how can young classical musicians put on concerts that their peers will pay to hear? Continue Reading

“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
–Albert Einstein, physicist

The May issue of The Musician’s Way Newsletter highlights topics such as creative thinking, self-recording, performing on a cruise ship, the evolution of digital archives, copyright law, and more.

You can view the newsletter online via this link. To subscribe, visit this page on MusiciansWay.com. I maintain a strict Privacy Policy and do not share, sell, or rent subscribers’ information.

The May issue features a new look and is being dispatched by the clever primates at MailChimp.com. Published quarterly, it’s free, and recipients can unsubscribe at any time. Enjoy! Continue Reading

Ella Fitzgerald

“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.”
–Ella Fitzgerald, singer

When we marvel at the feats of eminent musicians like Ella Fitzgerald, it’s easy for us to overlook the hurdles they’ve surmounted.

But the route to artistic and career success rarely proceeds along a smooth track, even for those who reach the top.

How can we stay the course through the many challenges of a life in music? Continue Reading

“Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul.”
–Plato

All of us musicians know the restorative power of music.

In this post, I briefly look at ways in which we can bring musical healing to those who need it most: patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and comparable care facilities.

Continue Reading

In the concluding portion of his interview, Joseph Robinson recalls his teacher Marcel Tabuteau, recounts some of the complexities of orchestral work, and offers sage advice to rising musicians. Continue Reading

Joseph Robinson

Joseph Robinson was Principal Oboist with the New York Philharmonic from 1978 until his retirement in 2005.

In this interview with Gerald Klickstein for The Musician’s Way Blog, he speaks about music making, artistic development, and various aspects of living the orchestral musician’s life.

GK: Before your successful audition for the NY Phil, how did you go about refining the skills that enabled you to win that audition? Continue Reading

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
–Thomas Edison, inventor

Parts I and II of this post show that we musicians need inclusive abilities and solid work ethics if we’re to seize opportunities in the new economy. In this final part, I look at strategies that expand our skills, multiply our career prospects, and ignite our dedication to creative work. Overalls optional. Continue Reading

Stevie Wonder

“We all have ability. The difference is how we use it.”
–Stevie Wonder, singer-songwriter

In Part I of this post, I claimed that industrious musicians can earn ample monetary and psychic incomes owing to the vast demand for music products and services. But I questioned whether students typically acquire the know-how they need to attain lasting careers in the new music economy.

Here, I contrast the old and new music economies and highlight the traits of musicians who are angling for success.

Then, in Part III, I’ll suggest ways in which musicians can build up career expertise while fueling their artistic development. Continue Reading

Sergei Rachmaninoff

“Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music.”
–Sergei Rachmaninoff, composer and pianist

I expect that all of us music lovers concur with Rachmaninoff – our passion for music continually nourishes our souls.

But does a rising musician’s love affair with music necessarily translate into a career? Continue Reading

If you’re a rising musician, you’ll probably have opportunities to perform in competitions.

This post will help you decide whether a particular contest is right for you. Continue Reading

Isaac Stern

“To be a musician in the service of music is not a job;
it is a way of life.”
–Isaac Stern, violinist (The Musician’s Way, p. 299)

The music education community is swirling with talk about how best to prepare university-level music students for modern-day careers. And for good reasons.

The music business is undergoing economic and technological upheaval, and many musicians and colleges are struggling to adapt.

Actually, some musicians appear to be thriving – those with entrepreneurial mindsets. Continue Reading