The Musician's Way Blog

“For music and service to become your way of life,
you must confront economic realities.”
-The Musician’s Way, p. 299

Aspiring classical musicians commonly study in a context resembling the ancient “master-apprentice” model.

That is, they take lessons from one individual over a span of years and depend on that person to cultivate their artistic, technical, and career skills.

Does that educational arrangement make sense? Continue Reading

“It is not enough to be industrious; so are the ants. What are you industrious about?”
–Henry David Thoreau, author

In a classic episode of the animated comedy South Park, the main characters track down a clan of gnomes who have been stealing the townspeople’s underpants.

The gnomes explain that their actions are part of a 3-phase plan – shown here – that’s guaranteed to bring in handsome profits.

Unfortunately, I’ve found that musicians often pursue comparable half-baked scenarios. Continue Reading

“With a narrow view of success, musicians unconsciously limit their career options.”
–Angela Beeching (The Musician’s Way, p. 300)

Although veteran musicians might derive the bulk of their earnings from full-time jobs, rising artists often depend on multiple income streams.

To assemble such portfolio careers, though, performers require diverse skills, few of which are covered in traditional music curricula. Continue Reading

Arts entrepreneurship isn’t a slice of the educational pie – it’s the pan.

I hope that lead-off sentence strikes a chord with you as it does with me.

I adapted it from a statement attributed to Andrew Rasiej (“Innovation is not a slice of the pie – it’s the pan”).

Here are 3 reasons why I find those words and entrepreneurship education so compelling. Continue Reading

“The ease of your entry into the music profession will largely depend
on the doors you open while you’re a student.”
–The Musician’s Way, p. 305

If you’re studying music with the intention of becoming a professional, then, to succeed after graduating from a conservatory or university, you need to do more than excel artistically and academically.

Here are 5 career-building maneuvers to undertake throughout your education. Continue Reading

“How in good conscience can we continue to graduate thousands of students a year who have no hope of getting a job in the field they were trained for?”
–Michael Drapkin, clarinetist (BusinessWeek.com)

Amid the tumult in the music industry, music conservatories continue to enroll vast numbers of students.

Are conservatories equipping these students to succeed in today’s music scene? Continue Reading

“You are the one who will shape yourself
into the artist that you aspire to be.”
–The Musician’s Way, p. 296

Multitudes of music students take regular lessons. Are young musicians prepared to make the most of their lessons?

Some are. But many are not, because, through no fault of their own, they’re unclear about their roles as students and lack confidence in their communication skills. Continue Reading

Gerald Klickstein

“Amassing the know-how of a professional musician takes time and diligence, but the personal investments you make will bring rewards beyond measure.”
–The Musician’s Way, p. 314

This week marks the one-year anniversary of the launch of MusiciansWay.com and The Musician’s Way Blog. My book The Musician’s Way debuted in August of 2009.

I invite you to join me as I commemorate these occasions.

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

“You’ve got to think about ‘big things’ while you’re doing small things
so that all the small things go in the right direction.”
–Alvin Toffler, author

When we veteran musicians practice, we begin with objectives and learning methods in mind.

If we’re preparing a new composition for a concert, let’s say, we first get an overview of the music. Then, we carve it into sections, identify trouble spots, knit sections together, gradually step up the tempo, and so on. We progressively assemble the composition into concert-ready form.

Do students practice in ways that result in similar steady accomplishment? Continue Reading