Legends

The articles for which links appear below, from this week’s New York Times, include personal anecdotes about the legendary musicians Doc Watson and Bucky and John Pizzarelli.  They are well worth reading, and poignant as well. To Hear Doc Watson, You Really Had to See Him by the guitarist Ry Cooder Doc Watson, an appreciation [...]

What is a “bad” practice day?

Yes, I do think “bad” practice days exist. Take today, for example. For reasons I won’t discuss here, today found me “off my game.” Has that happened to you? Why? Even while warming up with finger exercises I am completely used to, I couldn’t feel my hands or fingers in the usual way. That may [...]

Presto changeo!

This post is about playing “catch up” at the end of the semester.  I’m sure you all know how that feels! Times and dates seemingly change at random, so “normal” is feeling like you’re in the wrong place. Practicing consists of jumping from one type of writing to another, never having enough time to practice [...]

Blog Bits

A short post during Spring Break

Knowing our core

When your schedule changes, how do you feel?

Holiday listening links

An Evening of Readings and Carols from Westminster Choir College Monday, December 19 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 25 at 3 p.m. A little less formal than Kings College, with several choirs. WWFM The Classical Network. This beautiful movement is part of Rachmaninoff’s “Vespers,” all of which can be heard on YouTube. http://youtu.be/Dp82BXNwrWcRachmaninoff, “Bogoroditse [...]

Poll results

Thanks so much to everyone who voted! My next concert, postponed from October because of a power outage, will be in Williamsburg, MA on Sunday, November 20 at 3pm. The program is much the same as that of my previous 2 concerts (see program, below). This week I’m practicing to keep my “old” program “new.” [...]

A successful New York concert

All the details: week before, trip, warmup, concert, audience comments, friends, trip back.

This audience can sing!

How asking the audience to participate breaks through off-putting formality in a concert.

Poll: would you like to see detailed practice notes?

The question is, how many readers would be interested in detailed, play-by-play (sorry!), down-to-the-wire practice notes?  These would pertain to the program I will be performing 3 times in November. Please vote! Your suggestions are always welcome.  Please leave any and all in the comment section below! Thank you!