Solving the Puzzles of Music
January has this special feeling of freshness, of new beginnings. A new year with new opportunities lies ahead of you. It’s natural to get caught up in this spirit and make grandiose resolutions.
This year you’ll make your life epic, right?
The questions is: What will be different this year? Compared to all the preceding years when you made similar resolutions?
Continue Reading…Once upon a time, in another millennium (literally), there was no Netflix. There was no YouTube. There were no streaming sites to watch whatever you wanted when you wanted. Getting depressed already?
You were at the mercy of the TV-programming stations. You depended on them broadcasting cool stuff and you had to watch it whenever they broadcasted it. If you were busy at that time, then tough luck.
This changed in the early 80’s when VCRs became the hot consumer technology. Finally you could:
Continue Reading…What if I told you that for less than $10 and with only a few minutes a day you could improve your instrumental proficiency in a short period of time? Would you believe me? Does it sound too good to be true?
And to set the record straight …
No such thing – but I do want to share this simple, fun way that helped me personally improve. I’m talking about juggling.
Sorry for the low resolution example. That clip is quite old, but the juggling in it is just insane.
Juggling? What’s juggling got to do with improving on your instrument? That’s not a music related activity – so what’s the point?
Well, think about it …
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If I had a nickel for every time I heard the phrase “music is a language” I’d be able to get a 2nd Lamborghini. Ok, I’m exaggerating. It probably would have to be a Benjamin instead of a nickel. And it wouldn’t be my 2nd Lamborghini. Actually, it wouldn’t be a Lamborghini, but something more like a stroller bike.
Now that I’ve managed to destroy my trustworthiness and credibility in the opening paragraph already, let’s get serious for a moment.
Music as a language is a cliche, but there’s a lot of truth to it.
Take 5 minutes to watch this awesome, inspiring and enlightening video by master musician Victor Wooten. If you haven’t seen this video yet, it’ll be well worth your time. And if you have seen it already (good on you), watch it again to re-enforce its message.
What would you do if one of your hands became crippled and (almost) unusable? A scary and disturbing thought – I know. But please follow along anyways.
So, your hand doesn’t work anymore the way it used to. What are your options?
Nobody could blame you for reacting this way.
There are also these options:
You could also say, “What the hell, I’ll press forward and do the best I can with what I have left.” And what you have left could still be enough to let you become one of the greatest, most admired players of all time.
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