amateurmusicians.net

what is ‘experimental’ music?

How an unconventional music workshop opened up a can of (beautiful) worms. Hint: beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

puss ‘n notes

If music is as ancient and mysterious as the Sphynx, can a kitty cat tell us what's the name of the tune?

sensibility training

So what's this blog all about? Fundamentally.

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 [...]

black slab of spirited energy

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

take in large doses, three times a day

Can listening to Mozart make you better-adjusted? Philosopher Manly P. Hall says: yes, but so long as you don't get too blissed-out.

elemental spirit

Tonight, I’ve been needing to hear a “loud and clear” message about the life-affirming properties of music. Found it in this article about the late great jazz drummer Elvin Jones.

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 [...]

that no-good, stupid mystery we call music

OK history buffs, here’s a question for you: (drum-roll…) Q- Why was (ancient Greek philosopher) Socrates put to death by his fellow Athenians? A- Because he was “corrupting Athens’ youth population”. Or so the verdict said. To be sure: history’s most phenomenally lame verdict! But if the word “corrupting” evokes debauchery, apparently this wasn’t quite [...]