If you’re feeling a bit stale in your musical explorations, here’s an idea to spice things up: pick up a new instrument.
No, I’m not talking about expanding your collection of axes with “yet-another-one-of-a-kind” that differs from your others only by serial number or label year and puts you on the outs with your spouse…not that I would know anything about that. :-) I’m talking about a different instrument.
Our friends over at Making Music Magazine – one of your PartTimeMusician.com ad partners! – published this article pointing out how picking up a second instrument that is related to one you already know can expand your horizons and breathe new life into your music. It’s well worth the read.
A word of caution from someone who is a multi-instrumentalist, though: take care not to spread yourself too thin. The old expression “jack of all trades and master of none” was coined for a reason, and trying to do too many things often results in doing nothing well. If you feel yourself getting discouraged with your progress on either instrument, refocus…and remind yourself that it’s all good.
Taking up a second instrument can indeed broaden your horizons and rejuvenate your music-making, and choosing an instrument similar to one you already know allows you to apply your growth to both. If you’re stuck in a rut on your musical path, consider branching out with a second instrument. You just might rediscover what made you fall in love with playing music in the first place.
All the best,
Mark
P.S. – If you’re a multi-instrumentalist already or are considering becoming one, please leave a comment below or drop us a line; we’d love to hear your thoughts. The more we (all) share, the more we (all) know!
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Those of us who have begun studying a new instrument as an adult realize just how challenging it can be. The greater the challenges, though, the greater the rewards!
This article from our friends at The Violin Case highlights some of the health (“good for you”) benefits of playing music…and some of the just-plain-fun aspects, too. While the article speaks primarily of fine stringed instruments, the benefits apply regardless of your choice of axe. 
If you’ve been wondering if you’re too old to learn a new instrument – perhaps one you’ve longed to play since you were a child – wonder no longer! You are never too old to learn if the desire is there. The fact that it’s good for you is just icing on the cake.
All the best to you in your musical journey,
Mark
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Tags: adult, benefits, brain, health, instrument, Learning, music, new, social
Learning, Music and Health | Mark September 15, 2009 | 
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There are a lot of things happening here at PartTimeMusician.com, and we wanted to give you a quick peek behind the curtain. After all, it’s your site!
First, we’re preparing an update to The PartTimeMusician.com Guide to Free and Nearly-Free Resources for Musicians for release to registered owners. If you don’t know the story behind The Guide, click the link to learn more…and if you don’t already own a copy, what are you waiting for?!? For less than $10, you can save a small fortune on your playing addiction…and get all updates free – forever! Every day you don’t have The Guide is a day you’re losing hard-earned money you could use for necessities…like a new axe. 
Second, we’ll be making some minor updates here on the site. Nothing strange or unusual, and nothing that will change the way you move about the site. But we think the changes will make it just a bit better for everyone, anyway.
Finally, we’re preparing to release a recent interview we did with someone who is living the (dual) lifestyle – half of the time at his day gig, half of the time playing his music, and the other half…well, as a PTM, you understand! We’re really excited about this interview, and we’re sure you’ll be excited to read it as well. Included are some history, some day-gig conversation, and some insights on making progress with your playing while holding down a full-time job. You won’t want to miss it!
In the meantime, feel free to drop us a line or leave a comment and let us know what’s on your mind! We’d love to hear from you. We’re all in this crazy obsession together, you know.
Keep playing,
Mark
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Tags: coming, free, guide, interview, musician, new, part-time, parttimemusician.com, resources, soon
Gear, General, Products | Mark August 20, 2009 |
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Loyal PTM readers know that one of my favorite trumpet accessories is my Silent Mute Tray™ from Trumpeter’s Ink. Roger PetroRoy is a great guy to deal with, and his mute tray completely eliminated any repeats of the various hassles and mishaps I’d had with mutes in rehearsals and performances…and yet folds down to next-to-nothing. Below is a picture of the tray I proudly own and use:
Roger dropped me a line recently to let me know that he’s releasing “version 2″ of the Silent Mute Tray™. It still works the same as the original (thank goodness!), but it includes a neat little “extra” for trumpet gearheads everywhere. The picture says it best:
As much as I like to think of myself as a practical person, I have to admit that the trumpet logo would look so cool hanging from the front of a stand. Matte-black bling for the trumpeter.
Here’s the best part: Roger is selling the new trays at the same price as the originals…and to clear out the last two originals he has left, he’s selling those for 10% off. So if you want one of the first of the new models, you can get it at the same great price as before. If you’d rather save a few bucks and get the original, you can do that, too. With only two left, though, you may not want to wait too long to decide!
Full disclosure: Roger does have an ad here at PTM, but I don’t make a dime from the sale of these trays. I just love the product and think Roger’s a great guy, too.
If you do manage to snag one of the last two original Silent Mute Trays, Roger said he’d need your email address so he can send you an adjusted invoice reflecting the discounted price. Seems like an easy enough way to put $3.50 back in your pocket and get a great mute tray in the process. Check it out here, and say ‘hello’ to Roger when you order!
Keep playing,
Mark
Related article: Review: Trumpeter’s Mute Tray™/Silent Mute Tray™
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Tags: BrassAid, brassaid.com, mute holder, new, original, Silent Mute Holder, trumpet mute, trumpet mute holder, Trumpeter's Ink, Trumpeter's Mute Holder, update
Brass, Gear | Mark June 26, 2009 |
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