As a bassist, I find bass jokes particularly funny. That’s because they’re talking about those other bassists, of course. So, in honor of all those other bassists… 
Q: What should you do when you come across a drowning bass player?
A: Throw him his amp!
Keep playing (and smiling),
Mark
Tags: amp, bass, bassist, drown, joke, player
Bass Guitar, Joke of the Day | Mark July 28, 2010 | 
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This study has gotten a lot of coverage lately, and at the risk of “piling on”, I wanted to offer a few tidbits that seem to be missing from the discussion.
In the latest article I saw about NU’s findings, published in the article Music can boost language skills, they offer the following conclusions:
“But Kraus said currently what is known about the benefits of music training on sensory processing beyond that involved in musical performance is largely derived from studying those who are fortunate enough to afford such training.
The researchers concluded that there needed to be a serious investment of resources into music training in schools accompanied with rigorous examinations of the effects of such instruction on listening, learning, memory, attention and literacy skills.”
Where to start… :-)
First, I fully believe that during many (if not most) rounds of budget cuts in any school district, music education gets short shrift. Unfortunate? Yes. Unfair? Absolutely. Can it be fixed? Yes…but it’s not going to happen on its own, or by accident. Until music parents support the music programs with the same energy that sports parents bring to their programs – in terms of time, commitment, and monetary investment – the music department continue to be seen as an easier target. Yes, we’re all busy, and studies like this do help; but pointing to a study and wishing our music teachers “good luck” won’t change anything.
Second, the conclusion as published in the linked article above indicates that only the wealthy are beneficiaries of music training because of its expense. This should never be the case.
Our family certainly is not wealthy, but music training has always been a priority in our house. Why? Because of the values it brings to a developing child (focus, discipline, teamwork, etc.), of course…but also because it enriches lives throughout those lives. Musical training develops a talent that can be used at 8 or 80, and “sacrificing” a temporary thing for a lifelong gift to our children always seemed like a wise investment to us.
The idea that musical training has to be expensive is also a fallacy. How many stories of pop icons have you heard in which the story begins with “my grandfather gave me this old guitar/violin/piano and I taught myself how to play”? The field of music is diverse, and each area carries different hurdles; but even in the classical music field – arguably the one with the highest barriers to entry – examples of success without extensive, expensive training exist. When will we stop making excuses and start learning, regardless of the obstacles? When will we help eliminate some of those obstacles?
As PTMs (Part Time Musicians), we bear some responsibility for that. How can we help kids learn? How can we make the world just a bit better? Volunteering to teach, helping with ensembles and events, collecting used instruments, fixing donated instruments – these are only a few ideas, and there are many more.
The important thing is to get involved! Our kids’ brains depend upon it. 
Keep playing,
Mark
Just wanted to fill everyone in on some goings-on behind the scenes here at PartTimeMusician.com and ask for some feedback. If you’d like to have some input into your site, please speak up!
Technology-wise, we’ve upgraded the site’s software, stem to stern. The look is the same, but everything should work just a little better.
We’re also working to increase the portability a bit so we can update more readily “from the road”. Some of you may remember a recent attempt to post from an event at which a (superb!) jazz group was playing. The post was nothing fancy, but it gave us a taste of the value of a “drive-by” posting. Like the difference between a live performance and a recorded one, an article posted during the event often can capture more of the moment than is possible to do later. Why not seize the moment? 
Finally, a question: Would you like us to pass along exciting deals on musical instruments, gear, sheet music, and recordings when we learn of them? We’ve avoided that in the past, as limited-time offers don’t mean much a week, month, or year later…and our primary focus has been on articles that have long-term value. That said, we all appreciate a great deal. So…what do you think? Would you like an occasional heads-up on something enticing? Please drop us an email to let us know!
Just wanted to let you know what we’re doing behind the scenes; thanks for all you do as well. Now get out there and PLAY!
All the best to you,
Mark
Tags: construction, deals, feedback, improvements, site, updates
General | admin July 24, 2010 |
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Let’s reach into the news pile and check out something that ought to make anyone who plays an instrument feel just a bit smarter.
I just ran across an article entitled How music training boosts learning and wanted to share it. Findings like this, while possibly a bit self-congratulating, ought to remind us (and those we ask to support the arts and arts education) of the far-reaching value of music training. To quote the article:
“The brain is unable to process all of the available sensory information from second to second, and thus must selectively enhance what is relevant,” Nature quoted Kraus as saying.
Playing an instrument primes the brain to choose what is relevant in a complex process that may involve reading or remembering a score, timing issues and coordination with other musicians.
And that’s only a teaser.
Just some food for thought to make your day. Now, pull out that axe and practice, encourage your kids and/or spouse to practice, or volunteer with a youth music group. Better yet, do all three! After all, it’s up to all of us to do all we can to make the world just a little smarter…
Keep playing,
Mark
