arrange • compose • conduct
Dragging is a common problem, and one that is typically responded to with instructions to practice with a metronome, to physicalize the rhythm, or even just, “keep better time.” All of those instructions overlook the signal that dragging is giving us. The cue we should take whenever we start dragging […]
Practice doesn’t promise rewards on a strict schedule. Instead, consistent practice provides a terrain of stasis – a frustrating lack of growth – interspersed with unanticipated growth – seemingly sudden mastery of skills you’ve been struggling with. To master practice and stay focused during the times of stasis requires deep […]
Sometimes when we learn a new skill, we can act as if we’re scared, even when we don’t think we are. I made homemade noodles for Sunday dinner, and remarked how I am much less scared of working with them than I used to be. The thing is, I wouldn’t […]
I memorized pi to a couple of hundred digits in high school. I did it by repeatedly typing it into my calculator during math class, after I’d finished the assigned problems. An informational poster about pi, with a border comprising about 300 digits, was my source. There is no particular […]
It was awfully cold here in Michigan, but my dog is a winter dog, so she was delighted to go on a 2 mile walk this morning at -3ºF. Over the last two years, she has drilled home this important lesson to me: winter is a lot better if you […]
I listened to a couple of young men talking about their favorite games the other day. “How many hours do you have in-game?” one asked. “1,100 hours,” was the reply. “Oh, I only have 650.” On it went, and it became increasingly clear that in addition to knowing the games […]
Musical retention and forward progress can be a challenge with an intermittent rehearsal schedule. Short daily personal practice can make the difference between continued growth and stagnation or repetition. Weekly rehearsal with no practice in between is like going up the down escalator. You can get it done, but the […]
Jazz singing is an oral tradition. You need to listen to multiple recordings as you begin to prepare a song, for one big reason. It’s this: the interpretation of the song has evolved away from the original sheet music and into something living. Only by listening to multiple recordings can […]
Small daily habits are better than big habits that happen less frequently. Dr. Steve Zegree always used the idea of “five minutes a day” as the benchmark for practicing a new skill. And it’s really true – a half mile run every day for a month is easy to repeat […]
We sometimes think that all the learning happens during those four or six years of college/grad school. The truth is, lots more learning happens afterwards, if we are open to it. In other words: what used to be hard doesn’t stay hard. I was reflecting on this today as I […]