Want Big Impact? Think Small

Most musicians and musical organizations truly hope to make a big impact.  And why wouldn’t they?  The potential benefits are numerous: more money, opportunity, reputation, personal fulfillment, and meaningful legacy bestowed upon the world. But many of us buy into the false equation that big numbers equals big impact.  The more people, the better.  As a result, bands spam their e-newsletter out to...

Why YOU Need a Powerhouse Topic

As a musician, you certainly already have one or two specialties: playing the violin, bebop improvisation, recording chamber ensembles.  But no matter how skilled you are in these types of areas, you are likely just a small fish in a large ocean competing to be noticed. For those desiring more work and opportunity, imagine how your career might be transformed if you had a powerhouse topic. A powerhouse...

Seashell Virtuoso

Steve Turre is one of the most renowned trombonists on the scene today, having played with the likes of Ray Charles, Art Blakey, Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, and the Saturday Night Live Band.  But he’s also become the master of an unusual double: seashells. The video below features Turre playing a variety of shells along with the Dizzy Gillespie United Nations Orchestra.       While there are...

5 Questions Every Music School Should Ask (and Answer)

Below are five essential questions every music school should be asking. And answering.      1.  How is our school training excellent musicians (and what exactly does that mean)? Technical/musical ability? Musicianship/analytical skills? Historical perspective? Ensemble contributors? Other musical areas of emphasis? Multiple musical skill sets? Holistic musicians?  2.  How is our school developing...

Why This is a GREAT Time to Be in Music

These days, we hear a lot of gloom and doom about the state of the music industry:  Major record labels are going the way of the dinosaurs! Many orchestras are struggling financially; some have closed their doors! Arts funding is drying up! Old career models are fading away!  The ship is sinking!!!  Surely these are dark signs for the future of music, no?   Well, there are two sides to every coin. ...

What Does It Take to get Support for the Arts?

Does it ever seem like your impassioned pleas to secure support for an arts organization are falling upon deaf ears?  This tongue-in-cheek video, created by the vocal group Octarium, demonstrates how difficult this conversation can sometimes feel.             Share and...

2010 Best Reads from The Savvy Musician

Knowledge is power.  In my experience, the savviest musicians prioritize reading and lifelong learning alongside performing, composing, teaching, and other musical activities.  Reading the right books challenges how you think, expands your horizons, and helps you imagine new possibilities for your art.Below are 10 of the most influential books I read in 2010.  You’ll notice that only one is geared...

Are You Prepared for X-Mas? My Piano Is!

Working titles for this video: Oh Christmas Tree–Why Is There So Much Junk in My Christmas Tree??? or…. Oh Christmas Tree–Are You Prepared for Christmas???? or possibly….. Oh Christmas Tree–What Would You Think If I Cut You Down, Made You Into a Piano, and Gently Placed Ping Pong Balls on Your Strings????? or maybe you have a better suggestion…….. Whatever...

How to Sell $200 Concert Tickets at the Last Minute

Recently, I was contacted by a friend in a predicament. She would be hosting a fantastic benefit concert in downtown New York City with a cast of virtuosi including two who were WORLD FAMOUS musicians.  Tickets were *just* $200 apiece, a small price to pay for such a glamorous, epic, and meaningful event.  A once in a lifetime opportunity, really.  The snag–It was just a week away, and only 40 out...

Fun Christmas Music Videos

Here are some fun and unusual music videos for the Christmas season that you probably don’t know.  Happy Holidays, and please enjoy!!!!!             An iBand Christmas A group of musicians from North Point Community Church perform Feliz Navidad on iPhones and iPads. Dan the Unwise Man My good friend Lance LaDuke, trombonist and euphonium player for the Boston Brass, became convinced that...