The Future and Role of Music in Modern Society

Submitted by: Cal State University, Northridge by Amy Izushima and Alicia Ramirez (mentor: Diane H. Roscetti) In response to The Savvy Musician Challenge #1  Are Musicians Truly Important? Most people immediately agree that doctors, farmers, and teachers provide essential services to our communities.  But what about musicians?  Is our work...

Are Musicians Truly Important?

Each day this week, The Savvy Musician Blog will unveil a new solution to our first challenge.  We asked music students from around the globe to respond to the following: Are Musicians Truly Important?  Most people would immediately agree that doctors, farmers, and teachers provide essential services to our communities.  But what about...

Stop Thinking Like A Musician!!!

Obviously, there are many reasons why you should think and behave like a musician.  Practicing, composing, interpreting, and effectively relating to other performers all require a musical mindset. But here are some arguments for doing things differently. At least if your goal is to maximize professional success:        1.      ...

2 Unexpected, Challenging, and Illuminating Questions

Musicians frequently develop rigid ideas about what they should and can do with their artistic lives.  Too often, these priorities are based on “normal” familiar paradigms, rather than burning desires inspired by creative imaginations. Such limited viewpoints often prohibit us from realizing meaningful and productive activities, even though...

The Savvy Musician Challenge

We’re trying something new here at The Savvy Musician, hoping to engage music students from all over the country and globe, while learning from their collective wisdom.  If you or your school/group is interested in participating (or if you have questions), please e-mail info@savvymusician.com.  Details are below. Stay tuned for the...

You’re Not Talking to the Right People!

A composer wants to get more performances of her music.  So she sends off scores to a number of competitions and new music groups.  Problem is, even though her compositions are strong, so are a lot of other pieces.  Wouldn’t it be better to network with educators, performers, and ensembles who aren’t inundated with contemporary...

13 Steps to a Happy Musical Life

Success is a common theme in The Savvy Musician universe.  Of course, there are many types of success: landing a job, performing well, writing a great tune, mastering a technique, getting noticed, going viral, attracting web traffic, moving audiences.  Yet some musicians accomplish many of these things, but still feel dissatisfied with their...

Challenging Conventional Wisdom

Each day, we make decisions based on conventional wisdom: what makes a good parent, where to spend money, why education is important, how to view politics, which activities lead to happiness and success.  We are unduly influenced by sound bites that dominate the news headlines, and seek simple short-term solutions to complex predicaments. The...

Dear 1999

It’s hard to believe, but here we are, at the dawn of a new decade.  Personally, the past 10 years have provided a wild and exciting ride.  During this period I got married, had a child, built friendships, travelled four continents, pursued a host of musically fulfilling projects, got a university gig, worked with talented students, and...

More Important than Talent, Training, Intellect, and Good Looks…

You gotta have talent. Great training can help.  Brains and vision are crucial. And do add some sizzle to the steak…   …But that’s not enough. These elements, alone, rarely work.  In fact, you’re missing the most important ingredient.   P E R S I S T E N C E We often give up far too easily, even when a potential winner is...