We all know how intimidating it can be to start from the beginning. Finding yourself a novice again sometimes feels disheartening, and that’s especially true as you move into middle age and beyond. There’s something about the experience that makes people think twice before setting out to learn a new skill. And yet, life is …
Category Archives: Blog
Learning in the Long Run: Practise and Trusting the Process
When we begin our journey as musicians, our time is filled with learning and practise. Drilling scales and perfecting our form could take hours every single day. But no matter how skilled you become, there will always be room for more improvement. There really is no end to getting better — a fact that can …
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Fighting Burnout with Boundaries: How (and When) to Say “No”
When you first start out your career as a musician, you say Yes all the time. That’s because you have few opportunities to ply your trade and actually make money playing. But as you develop, you realise there are just only so many hours in a day. That means you need to be judicious with …
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Musicians vs. Instrument
Wilhelm Kempf once said, “Music is not a profession but a mission.” If this is so — and I think many musicians would say it is — that mission is carried out on multiple fronts. There is the technical side, learning how it is you take an instrument and use it to create pleasing sounds. …
Is Touring Still Viable?
As a musician, touring has always been an enormous part of my life. There’s probably no better way to connect with people and make money through music. But the world is changing, and as it changes, musicians as much as anybody else need to find ways to adapt. Recent years have brought with them many …
Fasting: How to Stay Healthy (Even On the Road)
[Disclaimer: I’m a musician, and I try hard to find out what works for my body. If you are planning on making large changes to your diet, it’s always important to talk to your doctor. This is not medical advice.] It can happen so easily. You’re on a tour, and you decide to go out …
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Building a Strong Mind: Meditation, Visualisation, NLP, and CBT
[Disclaimer: The following is not mental health advice. If you or a loved one need a diagnosis or treatment for mental illness, seek out a professional.] Being on the road takes physical and mental fortitude. If you want to keep showing up for gigs and making the most out of the amazing opportunities life affords …
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Becoming a successful musician from home
Session musicians — the unsung heroes of the music industry. Basically freelance session musicians hired to fill out or create a band during recording. These professionals appear on an enormous amount of tracks you’ve listened to. They can be a lot of help for getting a rich sound, and their skills can even be tapped …
How Streaming Music Hurts Musicians
Music streaming services were created as a way to combat piracy. And it worked. But while it protects the profit stream of record labels and the biggest names in pop music, it’s hurting the vast majority of artists. But the problems are deeper than money (although there are plenty of problems with the money), and …
Are Vinyl Records Destroying the Environment?
One of the most interesting things to happen to the music industry in the last two decades is the vinyl resurgence. Rescued from the dustbin of history, this format (almost 100 years old at this point) bucked the trend and became the coolest way to own a physical copy of your favourite tunes. That’s something …
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