The Best of PartTimeMusician.com: 2009

As we bid a fond farewell to 2009, the staff here at PartTimeMusician.com extends a hearty “thank you!” to the greater PTM family. It’s been a big year, and we’ve had a great time with the community you’ve trusted us to manage on your behalf. Hopefully, you’ve had a great time, too!

Here is a quick rundown of 2009’s feature articles, in case you’d like to review some of the fun and informative topics we discussed last year…or even if you’re just feeling a bit nostalgic. :-) ”And the winners are…”

Handing over the baton
Music: Mega-vitamin for the brain
Music and stroke recovery: a first-hand account (part 1 of 2)
Music and stroke recovery: a first-hand account (part 2 of 2)
How to make a marimba
Review: Hercules BS100B portable music stand
Media praise for the part-time musician
Review: BiNaK instrument oils and slide grease
Workshopping vs. Woodshedding
Music IS an addiction?
Music and Intelligence/Mental Health
Playing Music Sharpens Your Brain
Review: Manhasset Stand-Outs and Floor Protectors
Top three ‘gotchas’ of buying music mail-order
The man behind the mute tray
Get some rhythm and hold the blues – three great reasons to use a metronome
Advice for buying a violin “long distance”
Top 7 Tips for Flying with a Musical Instrument
Pianos, pianos everywhere!
Baseball bat violin? You bet!
Five good reasons to “go back” to college
Flying with a Musical Instrument: And Another Thing…
Attend a live performance to get your mojo back!
Play along to enjoy playing!
Vintage sheet music, back in print
How to fix an instrument cable in 10 easy steps
The Impossible Duet
How to save a bundle on musician’s resources, tools, music…
Trumpet Transcription: Chet Baker’s Solo in The Best Thing For You
The ultimate part-time musician
Viola shootout! – Episode 1
Viola shootout! – Episode 2
Viola shootout! – The Final Episode
Riverdancing Violinist
Movie Music to Inspire
BandsInTown helps locate live performances
Living the Dual Lifestyle: An Interview with Nick Drozdoff
YouTube for musicians: boosting the burn!
Loud music stimulates your brain
Videogaming helps your mad music-making skillz!
What is holding you back?
What is holding you back? No, it isn’t!
Learning a new instrument…as an adult
YouTube for musicians: equipment setup
YouTube for musicians: technique
How to replace the pickups in your guitar
Transposing for Trumpet: A Handy Reference
Culture through music
PTMs in the news: Learning other subjects with music
PTMs in the news: Giants among us
New and Updated: The PTM Guide!
Review: Clayton Haslop’s Violin Mastery DVD course
Being a musician is good for your hearing
Tage Larsen, CSO Trumpeter
Music should be FUN!
The Silent Mute Tray: an update
How to make a cello
How to make a BEAUTIFUL cello
Cyber Conductor: For the person who has everything
Music is for sharing
PTMs in the news: Maya Shankar
How to make your own guitar pickups
Play trumpet AND horn? Good advice for doubling
How to cook a conductor
Review: Mel Bay’s Easiest Fiddling Book
Five Key Challenges for the Part-Time Musician…and How to Conquer Them
Musical diversity produces musical “freshness”
Church Music Resources for Part-Time Musicians
Why there is no Trumpeter’s Christmas!
Treatment for Tinnitus
PTMs in the news: LA Lawyers

In spite of the difficulties 2009 may have brought into our lives, we’re grateful for the good things – and especially for the music. What better gift is there to share among family, friends, and soon-to-be friends?

Please remember your PTM advertisers as needs arise, and may you all have a wonderful, musical 2010!

All the best to all,
Mark, Kathy, and the entire PTM crew