The Musician's Way Blog

“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 whether we’re dealing with good days or not, one simple practice helps keep our creativity rolling. Continue Reading

Mindfulness Gives Performers an Edge

Those of us who watched the 2012 Olympics witnessed some athletes who triumphed and others who choked under the stress of performing.

What differentiates those two groups? Continue Reading

“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 lie in chronic habits that undermine your attention and creativity.

Here are 7 ways to replace unwanted practice habits with those that foster deeper learning and higher creativity. Continue Reading

“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: we intend to polish our skills and prepare music for performances.

We also know how to accomplish our goals efficiently. Continue Reading

“One should hunger after the whole concept, the whole mood,
what the music stands for.”
–William Pleeth, cellist (The Musician’s Way, p. 71)

When we approach an unfamiliar composition, I recommend that we map out a preliminary interpretation before we deal with technical issues.

But once we have basic musical and technical issues in hand, how do we elevate our interpretation to concert level? Here are 6 ways.

Continue Reading

“You must start well, and you must end well. What is in the middle is not so important because no one is listening then.”
–Maurice Chevalier, singer & actor (The Musician’s Way, p. 180)

I chuckle every time I read Chevalier’s words, but they aren’t intended solely in jest.

The start and finish of performances truly are vital moments in which music blossoms into and then fades out of existence. Continue Reading

“Display confident body language, come what may.”
–The Musician’s Way, p. 194

Are you confident in your ability to deal with on-stage mistakes?

I’ve found that rising musicians seldom practice handling errors, so they typically don’t manage them as gracefully as they could. Continue Reading

“Meaning is what matters most in your day-to-day practice.”
–The Musician’s Way, p. 312

Might there exist people who devote themselves to music solely for material gain?

I doubt it.

Rather, it’s the psychic income that we derive from our work that we most prize.

Continue Reading

“Make the most seemingly insignificant part feel good for the rest of the ensemble.”
-Wynton Marsalis, trumpeter (The Musician’s Way, p. 123)

We musicians spend vast amounts of time practicing alone. But to make music collectively, we need skills beyond those we rely on in solitary practice.

So, to help aspiring performers become ace collaborators, here are 6 tips that ignite synergy in groups. Continue Reading

“Whenever you practice or perform a composition, celebrate its unique message.
Feel the excitement of listening to the music for the first time.”
–The Musician’s Way, p. 74

All of us musicians learn and then set aside countless pieces over the years.

Sometimes, we excitedly return to old favorites but then feel glum when we realize that music we once performed with ease is now surprisingly difficult. Continue Reading