Resources

We want to improve at playing our instruments. We know that practice is essential. We generally know our strengths and weaknesses. We have a place to practice. Is that all we need? Nope. The Five Resource Areas There are a number of essential tools and resource areas for consistent progress. There are...

Any time you step out of your comfort zone you are forced to face your fears. Growth on a musical instrument is built on the notion of stretching beyond your current abilities and out into the unknown. Enter fear. Fear comes in all shapes and sizes and hits us...

If you play the cello and you want to improve your technique, Popper is here to save you. The High School of Cello Playing Op. 73 will become your cello bible and is used by all great cellists and teachers around the world. The go-to etudes will help you...

Music can change lives and thankfully there are music quotes that capture how music has affected everyone from Einstein to Taylor Swift. Find our favorite 100 inspiration and famous music quotes below. "People haven't always been there for me but music always has." - Taylor Swift (Tweet This) "Music...

With rental season starting soon, you may be wondering whether you should be buying or renting an instrument. The answer is not simple and usually requires weighing not only the upfront monetary cost, but whether the student will continue playing for years to come or stop three months into starting. Buying a...

There is a concept that has been used for a couple hundred years in a variety of fields (Italian real estate ownership, pea plant production, software efficiency, etc.) called a variety of names (Pareto Principle, The Law of the Vital Few, the 80/20 principle, etc.) which we can use...

Have you ever heard of the Suzuki Method? Even if you are not a musician, almost every person out there has heard the word, Suzuki, at least once. People also associate it with violin and small children. So what is it really? Well, it’s a study method that was...

Practicing is a way of life for musicians. It begins the first time you pick up your instrument as a beginner and continues throughout your entire playing career. Practice takes both willpower and planning. Building the habit of practice early on will ensure steady progress for you over the...

I wrote a book a couple years ago (Music Practice Coach), designed to help musicians better organize their practice. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work with countless musicians and music teachers and have seen these principles at work. In this article, I’ll cover one of the most...

Many musicians claim to devote their time to practicing their instrument, yet not many can really make it productive. The truth of the matter is, a non-dynamic practice session can become boring. While it is true that engaging in a consistent and regular practice session allows musicians to become better...