Labyrinth Music Blog
Meditations on Learning and Loving Music
To anyone who hoards pretty notebooks
Do you have FOUTU - Fear of Using Things Up? Let me explain what it is, and why it’s probably the reason you have a stack of pretty notebooks that you’ve never actually written in.
Maybe my voice is just bad
Do I have a bad voice?? It’s a common concern among beginner voice students and inexperienced singers. Is this fear justified? Could someone have a voice that’s just inherently not good?
Why you should ask for help
Perfectionists have a really hard time getting the help they need and deserve, because they resist asking for it, and they’re reluctant to accept help when it’s offered.
How to fight the post-performance blues
Part of getting ready for a performance is preparing for how you’ll feel after it’s over. Almost every performer gets some type of emotional whiplash after performing. Fortunately, it’s something you can prepare for and manage!
Just keep singing
In the midst of a turbulent world, we feel a bit guilty trying to be happy, or even just trying to be normal. Does it make a difference what we do? What’s the point of even doing anything at all?
Confession: I hate needing help
Aversion to getting help is a hallmark of perfectionism. I have to admit, I hate needing help, asking for help, and accepting help. This installment of “Progress for Perfectionists” is a personal story about a time I caught myself being unnecessarily, foolishly self-sufficient.
Embracing Failure
Fear of failure is a universal human experience. Part of my job as a music teacher is to arm my students to battle this fear, because failing is a necessary stage of every achievement.
The Short and Practical Guide for Parents Who Don’t Care About Piano
Piano doesn’t appeal to you, but your kid is taking lessons. I don’t need to convert you to Team Piano. I just want to help you not be miserable for however long you’re going to be a piano parent.
Don't let other people determine your limits
Are some people too un-talented to make music? No! No matter what you’ve been told, you don’t lack the capacity to learn to sing or play an instrument. Yet so many of us believe we are incapable of becoming musicians...
The importance of doing a bad job
Almost no one likes being a beginner. It’s especially embarrassing if you’re at all perfectionistic. When you can’t seem to get started, make the process the goal. (Featuring a peek into my writing method.)
Being sure, being ready
Practicing is a hot topic among musicians. It’s relevant to everyone, musician or not, because we all practice things. We all prepare, in some way, when we want to be ready for something. But what does it take to be truly ready?
The Musician’s Two Modes
There are two mental modes every musician can use: Learning Mode, and Expression Mode. The best musicians can easily access either mode and use both modes equally to learn music effectively and perform joyfully. How can you be like them?
You don’t need musical talent
Music doesn’t come from some mystical source called "talent" - it can be learned, and it can be learned by anybody. Being talented, or the idea of being talented, can actually get in your way!
