When you are struggling with doing anything physical, whether it’s riding a bike, shooting a basketball through a hoop or trying to do something challenging on your musical instrument, there’s always this great source of pride and joy when you finally get over that hurdle and achieve...

Let’s start out this article with a simple question: How do you know you're making progress, if you don't even know where you're going? 

Think about this for a moment. Let’s say you’re going to take a car trip.  You get all your supplies, fill up the car with gas, pack...

Of all the questions I’ve been asked from people wanting to start playing an instrument, the one I’ve heard the most is "How long does it take to learn music?”. I also hear “How long will I need to ‘get good’?” and “How long until I’m able to...

For many budding musicians, the thought of playing live in front of an audience sends shivers of fear down their collective spines.  There’s that old adage that people fear public speaking more than they fear death itself.  If simply speaking in public is so terrifying for so many...

What’s the one thing people tell you to do if you want to achieve awesome musical skills?  I’ll give you a hint: It’s the way you get to Carnegie Hall.  Ding ding ding!!  That’s right!  Practice, Practice, PRACTICE!

But do they ever tell you HOW to...

Let’s start this conversation out in a rather unique way: I hate the title of this blog!  Well, my parents taught me that I should never “hate” anything.  I could “strongly dislike” something, but you never want to get in the habit of hating.  ...

In all my years of teaching music, whether it was class instruction, clinics, lectures or private lessons, the number one challenge I’ve heard from people who want to practice and get better is finding time to do it consistently.  With work, school, family, and necessary errands, it...

People get into playing music for all kinds of reasons.  What I find interesting is that most people have a few superficial, albeit reasonable, reasons for starting to learn music.  They think it would be fun.  They want to jam with friends.  They want to play their favorite...

 Oh boy!  There is a mountain and a half of research out there in Internet Land that can tell you how learning music helps with memory, cognition, motor skills, attention spans and all sorts for delicious brain food that will make us smarter human beings.  Music teachers use...

One of the most motivating thoughts that will carry you through challenging times during practicing will be the unmitigated FACT that nothing in life is easy and nothing in life is hard.  Things are only familiar and unfamiliar.  

 I’m going to say that again louder for...

Are you frustrated when you are practicing?  Do you feel like you aren’t making progress?  Do you feel like your skills are actually getting worse? Do you feel like your learning process is just an uphill climb?

Good…because you may be EXACTLY where you need to be. ...

It’s common knowledge that the more you play music, the better you will be as a musician. What’s the old saying?  “Practice makes perfect”?  So yes, the more you practice or play your instrument, the better you will be at that instrument.  Pretty...