New (School) Year Resolutions

Believe it or not, it’s back to school time again!  Before things get too hectic, here’s a question for music students (and professors, and the rest of us): What specific actions will you take this academic year to advance your career?  Sure, you’ll improve playing and other artistic specialties.  But from a professional...

The Most Virtuosic Instrument – French Horn?

Marc Papeghin is no ordinary horn player: I am a crazy French Horn player from France who once had this weird idea of playing some progressive metal stuff on the horn. First attempt was a section from Dream Theater’s Dance of Eternity. I recorded a little section from it, track by track, playing over myself each time. Finally all the tracks...

A Better Strategy for Your Recordings

“People just don’t buy music (recordings) anymore.  I poured my heart and soul into making this disk, along with a ton of money.  But 2000 CDs (or whatever number) are collecting dust in my basement, and download sales are just as pathetic.  The music business is completely broken!”  Now there’s a bitter cry of despair I’ve heard...

Why Entrepreneurial Musicians Take Less Risk than Non-Entrepreneurial Ones

Risk taking. Everyone knows that’s an essential trait for entrepreneurial musicians.  In fact, “takes risks and is willing to fail” is #5 of 20 essential characteristics describing entrepreneurs listed right on page 5 of my own book The Savvy Musician. But I can think of one group that takes much bigger gambles.  Epic risks, the...