The Musician's Way Blog

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words
and that which cannot remain silent.”
-Victor Hugo, The Musician’s Way, p. 5

All of us musicians feel something within us that cannot remain silent.

But to forge lasting, full-time music careers, we have to make wise choices about the kinds of work we do and the ways we live our lives. Continue Reading

“The most difficult thing about being a musician these days is not talent.
It’s sustainability.”*
–Robert Sirota, President, Manhattan School of Music

As Robert Sirota implies, hordes of conservatory graduates struggle to sustain themselves in today’s music scene.

Some people blame the weak economy, but I mainly fault music faculty for failing to incorporate entrepreneurship education into their curricula. Continue Reading

“The beauty in playing the instrument is not to be better than the next person
but to stay true to oneself, to set one’s own standards and keep to them.”
–Andrés Cárdenes, violinist (The Musician’s Way, p. 305)

In many ways, we succeed or flounder as artists based on the standards we uphold.

Here are three reasons why.

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

“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

“Diverse careers are available to musicians because people worldwide consume huge amounts of music-related products and services every day.”
–The Musician’s Way, p. 300

Are there too many musicians and music presenters for the marketplace to support?
I think not.

For entrepreneurial musicians, opportunities abound, provided that we’re willing to do the work necessary to gain competitive advantages. 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

“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

“Throw yourself into life as someone who makes a difference.”
–Benjamin Zander, conductor (The Musician’s Way, p. 305)

One of the most powerful ways that we can make a difference in life is to do creative work.

Still, unless we choose our aims wisely, we can feel overwhelmed or undermotivated, and then we won’t create.

How can we discern goals that impel us to act? Continue Reading