Author: Jonathan Harnum
Hi, I'm Jon Harnum, author, publisher, teacher, musician, and scholar. If you'd like to learn more about music or how to publish books, come check out my web sites and online courses. Lots of freebies so you can try before you buy. See you online!
Playing With a Full Deck: If You’re a Jazz Learner, You NEED This Tool
Learning to improvise? Jazz Deck packs a ton of information into a simple package with eye-catching design. It’s pure genius.
The Obstacle IS the Path: Guitarist and Inventor Les Paul
The Obstacle IS the Path: Interview with Guitarist and Inventor, Les Paul http://wp.me/ppJKy-1di
Boost Your Music Skills: Practice Book 81% Off
A quick shoutout for a one-year-anniversary discount on The Practice of Practice (Kindle edition) running for a week, from Thursday, June 11 to Thursday June 18, 2015. The discount starts at 81% ($1.99). Learn more. Reviews.
In Praise of Never Being Good Enough
Music is endless, and there’s always more to practice, more to learn, more to do. The limitlessness can be intimidating, especially to beginners, or to those stuck in the “conscious incompetence” phase (one of four phases of musicianship/practice described in The Practice of Practice). But once you realize the fact, and make peace with it, having endless horizons to explore is liberating. Exciting, even. Then you just have to get started. Check out these great vids from veteran explorer Dizzy Gillespie.
A Case for Learning by Ear: Young Jazz Wizard Joey Alexander
Joey Alexander is 11 in the video below, and he displays an artistry and control and musicality that few are able to achieve, no matter what their age. In the jazz tradition, he learned by ear, and listening to him talk about who he likes, you know he likes the heavies, and has absorbed them. In…
Cover Yourself: “Creep” and “All About That Bass.” Covers by Post Modern Jukebox
Learning a tune by someone else is the 2nd oldest way to practice (the oldest being to just write your own thing). Here’s a fantastic cover of Radiohead’s Creep, done by Post Modern Jukebox. Below that, an equally superb cover of All About That Bass.
Hilarious Music Instructions: “Shouting-in-the-pub Voice,” and Crazier…
In addition to PDQ Bach, there are some other rather hilarious written instructions in written music. Stick with it ’til the end and the hilarious animated GIF acting out one such instruction.
Sea Shanties and Rock: The Case for Listening Widely
A case for the point of eclecticism: The Who sings an a capella sea chanty before rocking out.
Cover Yourself: Victor Wooten, Young Derek Trucks & Joey Defrancesco Cover Stevie Wonder
Been thinking a lot about covering other musicians as practice. It’s not only one of the oldest ways to practice, it’s one of the best ways to practice. Don’t practice scales: practice imitating musicians you love.
Here’s a 15-year old stellar version of Stevie Wonder’s I Wish, featuring a young Derek Trucks, as well as the incredible skills of Victor Wooten and Joey Defrancesco.
Cookie Monster: Life Coach
If you can’t afford a “real” life coach to help you with your practice, I offer you Cookie Monster.
What Your Instrument Thinks (or, Frustration is Normal)
A cartoon showing what my own horn must think from time to time.
The Practice of Practice 