This month I am recording the audiobook version of The Happiest Musician. I know how to read, and I know how to talk, and I know this book intimately, butContinue readingAdding Punctuation
Presence and Pricing
Are you teaching music lessons? How is it feeling for you? Musicians often teach as a supplement to their income, and love both the intellectual challenge and the gratifying personalContinue readingPresence and Pricing
Practice and Project
I was talking with my FLOW group recently about Practices and Projects, and thought you might enjoy this as well. A Practice – a writing practice, a yoga practice, aContinue readingPractice and Project
Applied Music
SCHOOL HAS STARTED. What a relief! Up until the last minute, my child was trudging through summer math homework. They resented it desperately but I had fun working on it with them! Continue readingApplied Music
Practice Filters
I was talking with my FLOW group about our upcoming recital. Most of my participants have their pieces in pretty good shape, with a month to go. This is fantastic!Continue readingPractice Filters
The Work is Never Wasted
I heard a colleague complaining about having practiced music which was later cut from the concert. What a waste of time, she griped! Something about that attitude rubbed me theContinue readingThe Work is Never Wasted
Dance With the Voices
Last week in my Oboe Flow class, Dr. Andrew Parker was talking with us about performance nerves and he put it so well. He said, “Your approach needs to be two-prongedContinue readingDance With the Voices
When in Doubt, Play Beautifully
What does it mean to Play Beautifully? That’s what one of my FLOW oboists asked in our group this week. My teacher, Richard Killmer, used it as a mantra – “When inContinue readingWhen in Doubt, Play Beautifully
What is WORK?
I know the pandemic isn’t actually over. But the performing work is hitting my inbox all the time now, and I’m having to make decisions. I don’t want my NOWContinue readingWhat is WORK?
Glorified Long Tones
Last week I had the pleasure of hearing a student who SIMPLIFIED her air, her embouchure, and her approach, trusted the oboe, and let an entire slow movement gently unspoolContinue readingGlorified Long Tones