amateurmusicians.net

sensibility training

So what's this blog all about? Fundamentally.

variation 25, take 844

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!Here’s a clip to accompany my previous post, of Glenn Gould playing variation 25 from the Goldberg Variations. It’s from a recording made for television, late in his life. I include it here because of the sheer contrast between this [...]

genius score scribblings for dummies

Terrible handwriting = genius? I'll say! Any other ways to find out how truly gifted you are?

blog review: music practice tips

(Update: the musicpracticetips.com website is no longer up and running. However, as this review compares web and print media approaches for teaching practice skills, you might find the info below useful for evaluating learning resources.) When I started this blog, I initially had this idea of a web resource for music practice advice. Providing such a service, [...]

black slab of spirited energy

If a big bad building assails you with unsympathetic vibrations, can it be re-tuned like a musical instrument?

musicians: make your own economy!

In the last few years, we’ve seen a rapid increase in social and economic opportunities for DIY‘ers (do-it-yourself’ers), both on- and off-line. I’d argue that changes in our communication technologies are enabling this home brew entrepreneurship revolution. For example, the so-called “Web 2.0” paradigm shift on the Internet, describes a new way of creating wealth with [...]

5 expert ways to turbo-charge your practice routine

Feel your motivation flagging at the thought of yet another dreary practice session? Your instrument starting to pick up dust? Never fear! We’re living in a brave new age of gurus, and there’s a solution-head out there for every spiritual and practical problem that ails’ ya. Here’s a shortlist of techniques and approaches from trusted authorities in [...]

community guitar: interview with Andrew Lawrence

For my June 2007 podcast, here’s an interview I conducted with Andrew Lawrence while I was attending Django In June in Northampton, Massachusetts. Andrew is founder of the Community Guitar Program, as well as being the director and coordinator of Django In June, the only annual music camp in North America dedicated to the pursuit of [...]

gypsy (camp) fire, new england rendez-vous

In a few days, I’ll be heading south of the (Canadian) border, for a week-long vacation in Northampton, Massachussetts. Why Northampton? What’s so special about the place? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were allegedly spawned there. One of my all-time favorite movies – Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf – was filmed (in part) in [...]

why it’s easier to play for strangers

You’re ten years old, it’s Christmas eve. Uncle Fritz (fictitious name) has gotten in disguise: Santa’s about to distribute the gifts. The living room is packed with relatives, in dizzy anticipation at the surprises to come. Alas, before Santa Fritz can grab the first gift, your mom stands up, and blurts out to all ears: “Wait, [...]