I'm a Canadian tuba player studying in Switzerland with Anne Jelle Visser. I've always been interested in what goes on in the brain while we practice and how to use that knowledge to augment the results that we get from our daily practice. I've decided to start a blog to help me with my own practice, but I would also like for other people to participate on it so that we can all get something out of it. Most of what I have said or will is nothing new. However, I hope to bring in a new perspective on how we do things and why it works or doesn't work. I would love it if you went and did a little tour of the blog and even comment or share what you might like.....or not like at all
Here is the link: excellenceinperformance.blogspot.com
This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession by Daniel J. Levitin
Guitar Zero: The Science of Becoming Musical at Any Age by Gary Marcus
Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from EverybodyElse by Geoff Colvin
goodgigs wrote:Dear unfortunate, brainwashed fool - I said fool - most of us have bin similarly fooled.
You will never be happy unless you know both sides of the coin.
Please listen all the way to the end.
It's the most important 20 minutes a guy in your position will ever spend.
The fact that you ask the opinions of others on your blog suggests that maybe you aren't yet completely convinced.
Please watch.
Hi.
Thanks for the video. I may be young, but certainly am not foolish. When my father died in 2007, I had to work and provide for my whole family of 1 mother and, us, 5 kids. I have worked construction. I have worked in a mail room. I have worked for the Canadian Forces. I have worked as a cleaner in a restaurant. I have done many of those "boring" jobs that many people look down upon. I have met wonderful people in all of those. But, one thing I will never accept is to work at a purposeless job where my heart simply is not in it. That being said, the video is excellent and I also highly recommend it in order for us all to be reminded of staying realistic.
As for the questions on the blog, it isn't because I am not convinced of what I say, but simply because I want to spark discussions. We can all honestly learn from each other and helping people out is also always beneficial, even on a more egotistical value. However, if you find that it is the way I ask those questions that does not come across well, maybe I should ask them differently.
Mark wrote:Three books you might find interesting:
This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession by Daniel J. Levitin
Guitar Zero: The Science of Becoming Musical at Any Age by Gary Marcus
Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from EverybodyElse by Geoff Colvin
I've read those books a while ago, except for Guitar Zero, which was last Christmas. They are all very good although I do somewhat prefer Talent is Overrated. I would like to post some small revews of them with the essential points so that we can all get the good info without necessarily all having to read them.....or to make us all want to read them.
goodgigs wrote:
As for me the most wonderful work I've ever done was selling French fried artichoke hearts at county fairs.
It was the main fund raiser for my community band. I got to the point where I could yell louder then a rock band.
French fried artichokes !
Delicious, nutritious, some say auspicious, they're cooked in a secrete batter by the Watsonville Band - oldest band -
West of the Mississippi ! COME AND GET 'EM !
Unfortunately, I never figured out how to make a living at it.
No problem at all! It is in fact quite an original passion, but honestly, this is very cool. Who cares what our passion is. The important thing is for us to get fullfilment in what we do!
