Want the free color eBook edition of Practice Like This? Sign up for 6 Bullet Saturday. 6-Bullet Saturday is a newsletter that gives you six things I thought worth sharing every week. Mostly it’s about practice, and I always include specific tips or exercises or drills that I use to help me and my students get…
Ethan Hawke & Ben Dickey discuss BLAZE
One of the best interviews I’ve seen in a looooong time. Maybe ever. Lots of important ideas in here.
How to truly listen: Evelyn Glennie
As Louis Armstrong used to say, “Here’s one of the good ol’ good ones.” Check it out.
Psychological Effects of Singing
Is it the singing or the social interaction that makes us happy? Maybe it’s both. Somebody needs to compare choir singing with singing alone. Any researchers out there? Click through to check out this brief summary: The psychological effects of singing can help prevent depression due to the social and educational opportunities. See the psychological…
Hear the Earliest Surviving Radio Broadcast by Duke Ellington, A Historic Find
Duke Ellington was among the preeminent American composers of the 20th century, and the most exhaustively studied of all jazz artists. There are more Source: Hear the Earliest Surviving Radio Broadcast by Duke Ellington, A Historic Find, in Deep Dive | WBGO
How Myelin Sheaths Speed Up the Action Potential in Neurons
Chapter 4 in The Practice of Practice briefly covers how myelin can help the brain perform more efficiently. I got to wondering how myelin actually works. Here’s a good explanation:
The Gap: Ira Glass
This.
Inside Prince’s Brilliant ‘Piano and a Microphone 1983’ Recording: Songwriting/Practice Insight
If you’re even remotely interested in composition, songwriting, or practice, you should have a listen to this. Prince, in his studio, noodling with ideas. It’s like he’s in the back room, just hanging out, playing. He might have the sniffles. The album/demo, A Piano & a Microphone 1983 was just released. Check out samples from all the tracks…
On the Road with Duke Ellington (1967)
Interesting documentary a fellow musician told me about (Thanks, Tim!). Recorded the year I was born. Louis Armstrong makes an appearance and Duke admits to stage fright. So may performances and the man still gets the jitters. Like Louis said, it’s all about using that energy. Some good insights into Duke, his process, and his…
The Lust Branch: “Private Matters” of Eccentric Musician Percy Grainger
Nothing about practice, or music, apart from one composer’s motivations and inspirations, but still fascinating. Grainger is one of my favorite wind ensemble composers. Check his discography. Source: The Lust Branch: “Private Matters” of Eccentric Musician Percy Grainger – Atlas Obscura
Mastery, by Robert Greene: Animated
Mastery, by Robert Greene, is a book you should read/own. Want to listen to it? If you’re new to Audible, you can get it for free! Here’s a quick summary of Mastery:
