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This is an excerpt from my book, ‘The Useful Musician’, available from Amazon in both Kindle and paperback formats. WHY IT MAKES YOU MORE USEFUL: Consistent playing on the same song over and over makes you reliable. WHAT TO DO: Be aware that repeated performances of the same song will dull your senses and makeContinue reading “#48—DON’T LOSE CONCENTRATION DURING REPEATED PERFORMANCES”

(This is an excerpt from my book, ‘The Useful Musician‘, available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback formats) WHY IT MAKES YOU MORE USEFUL: You create good will. You get asked back. WHAT TO DO: Watch and listen. Keep an eye out for a player or singer who’s struggling, and see what you canContinue reading “#47—BE SENSITIVE TO OTHER PLAYERS’ SHORTCOMINGS”

This is an excerpt from my book, ‘The Useful Musician’, available on Amazon. WHY IT MAKES YOU MORE USEFUL: It makes you a craftsman instead of waiting around for the music gods to inspire you. WHAT TO DO: Learn how music works. Don’t be content to let it be a mystery. That’s just lazy. ThereContinue reading “#101—STOP THINKING OF EVERYTHING MUSICAL AS COMPLETELY MYSTERIOUS”

(This is an entry from my book, ‘The Useful Musician’, available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback editions) WHY IT MAKES YOU MORE USEFUL: You create a higher probability the song will come off well. WHAT TO DO: Listen to the song in your head and imagine what it will sound like given theContinue reading “#40—BRING OPTIONS TO THE SONG”

(This is an excerpt from my book, “The Useful Musician” available on Amazon) WHY IT MAKES YOU MORE USEFUL: Doing this in rehearsal and onstage helps bring the feel, or the groove of the song alive.It makes the song jump. WHAT TO DO: Get the basic groove of the song into your bones—what the drumsContinue reading “#38—TELEGRAPH THE WHOLE SONG WITH YOUR INSTRUMENT”

WHY IT MAKES YOU MORE USEFUL: You make the audience more comfortable, your bandmates more relaxed, and the room more inviting when you’re at ease in front of people. Also, you’ll play better. WHAT TO DO: This is really about being afraid people won’t like you. Here’s the truth: nearly everyone watching you on aContinue reading “#30 – Embrace Being Onstage”

(This is an excerpt from my book, “The Useful Musician” available on Amazon) WHY IT MAKES YOU MORE USEFUL: This greatly expands the list of things you can do to add dynamics. WHAT TO DO: Think of dynamics NOT as just loud and soft, but as adding and subtracting energy. This is a big switch in thinking,Continue reading “#85 Think Of Dynamics As Adding And Subtracting Energy”

This is an excerpt from my book, “The Useful Musician”. Available on Amazon WHY IT MAKES YOU MORE USEFUL: A clear music sheet eliminates wondering where you are in the song, and it reminds you of important things. WHAT TO DO: Circle all the signs, to start with. The D.S. signs, Coda signs, etc. Get aContinue reading “#12—MAKE YOUR MUSIC EASIER TO READ”

This is an excerpt from my book, “The Useful Musician”. Available on Amazon WHY IT MAKES YOU MORE USEFUL: You leave the pressure of perfectionism behind and focus on a real world goal, one that’s pretty easy to measure. WHAT TO DO: Aim at pleasing the people that it’s important to please. (Hint: it’s not you.)Continue reading “#92—CHANGE YOUR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS”

This is an excerpt from my book, “The Useful Musician”. Available on Amazon WHY IT MAKES YOU MORE USEFUL: The parts you play will start fitting in better. Also, you’ll be easier to work with. WHAT TO DO: Dole out your clever stuff very, very sparingly. You’re not the smartest person in the band, you’reContinue reading “#44 – Stop Being Clever”