Posts tagged: new

Welcome to the New Year. Now what?

I’ve been intending to write a “look ahead” since the month began, pointing to the promise of the new year…musically speaking, of course. Before we begin, though, a quick review is in order.

Mark posted a very nice article here at the beginning of last year. (Go ahead, click the link in the previous sentence and read the article; I’ll wait right here.  :-D) The three key points he hit were:

1. What’s done is done
2. Look for the opening(s)
3. Set realistic goals and GO FOR THEM

While I think he covered the top 3 quite well, I’d also like to add the following as an important fourth point:

4. Don’t be afraid to adjust your plan

Goals are wonderful things, and please don’t take this as license to scrap a goal every time things get tough…but life has a way of changing around us. If we don’t adapt as our situation changes, it’s a recipe for frustration. So set your goals, large and small, and by all means work diligently to achieve them! But take the time to periodically re-examine them to see if they still make sense…and if not, change them so that they do. Be honest with yourself, mix equal parts realism and optimism, and get busy! This year has such wonderful potential for you as a Part-Time Musician; help yourself make the most of it.  :-)

Wishing you all a very musical year,
Kathy

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Thoughts on the Old and New Years

As this year draws to a close and a new year approaches, it’s a perfect time to pause and take stock of the ups and downs of the past and consider the year ahead…but there’s no reason we can’t have a little fun with it. Feel free to join in!

Last year was a good, but hectic, year. Like everyone else with too many irons in the fire, it’s a struggle for us to find time to work job(s), keep up with family, practice, play, and tackle additional necessary tasks – like posting! This year will be better. :-)

Music is usually best when it’s shared with others, and most of us share it most of the time with friends and family. We had a great time last year in informal jam sessions, intimate concerts, chamber gigs, and orchestral performances…and we’re really looking forward to more in the year ahead!

Medical struggles of friends and family alike have taken some bandwidth over the past year, but thankfully, outcomes have been (overall) quite positive. Things like that also tend to make you more thankful for the people in your life, so let me pass it along: thank you all for being a part of our lives. Now, go hug your kids and call your family & friends you haven’t seen in awhile. Really. :-)

Hollywood may not “get it” in many ways, but they’re starting to understand the value of a good soundtrack. This past year (the past few years, actually) has seen some good music roll forth from the movie & TV moguls. While many parts of society fail to recognize the value of music education and music in general, it’s true that popular entertainment helps drive values. Admittedly, that cuts both ways…but in this case, movies and TV are doing a good thing. Enjoy it, support it, and encourage it!

For the next year, I’d be happy if we just added to the high points of the past year and turned down the low. Nothing revolutionary, but incremental improvement is more than most accomplish with new year’s resolutions. Meeting more great PTMs, refining and sharing the music, and experiencing more of life with loved ones as we go: can it really get much better than that?  :-)

Wishing you all a joyous, fulfilling, and musical new year!

Kathy

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Keeping it fresh: learning a new instrument

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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Learning a new instrument…as an adult

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!

Playing BassThis 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.  8-)

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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Coming soon!

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!

Coming SoonFirst, 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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