Brilliant (true) observation from Tone Deaf Comics.
Free Kindle Edition of “Basic Music Theory: How to Read, Write, and Understand Written Music” (Oct. 1-5)
Free Kindle Edition: Basic Music Theory: How to Read, Write, and Understand Written Music (October 1-5, 2015)
The Importance of Patience in Practice
In a Skype talk with a colleague in Bratislava (ain’t technology grand?), the topic of how to teach patience arose. Today, this talk came across the wire, addressing that very topic. Because there are an infinite number of things that need attention in our quest to improve, it can be a challenge for beginners–or anyone,…
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.
The Practice of Practice 