My Teaching Ideas

I believe that the four ideas below are best practices that will help young musicians “break through” to the next level. Teaching is a living, breathing, changing process, and I will try to keep this space updated with my most recent ideas. Also check out my blog, linked above, for various ideas that come to me from time to time.

  • You cannot hit a target that you cannot see. Listen to great musicians. Work with a teacher to create a sound concept that is both personal AND marketable. Most great musicians aren’t “born with it,” they cultivate it over time. Strive to do the same. Always be able to answer the question, “What do you want to sound like here?”

  • Before you can run, you must walk. Before you can walk, you must crawl. If you feel like you are going too slowly, go a little slower. Is today’s sound closer to your concept of sound, or farther away? Record yourself and listen back, so you can devote all of your attention to creation now, and all of your attention on analysis later.

  • Let your light shine! Seek out opportunities to share what you have learned with others. You are offering this music as a gift - you are not on trial. Create a mental space where you are always playing for an audience, even if it is an imaginary one.

  • Music study flies in the face of a culture that is all about instant gratification, and that is why it is special and worth studying. Everyone knows that this takes time, but it also requires being tested and failing repeatedly. Failure is not only an option, it is a crucial part of success!