Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment by George Leonard, is not a music book. But it is full of powerful advice for musicians. Leonard brings his experience as a student and teacher of Aikido to the examination of how we learn, and what the learning process holds in store for the learner. If you struggle at times with the desire to practice, you should read this book. If you would like to make your practicing more effective, read this book. If you’ve ever thought about quitting your instrument because you aren’t good enough, you should read this book. If you’ve ever looked for a shortcut to getting really good, you should read this book (hint: there’s no shortcut to getting good in the book).
read more of book review: Mastery
Music, The Brain, And Ecstasy: How Music Captures Our Imagination by Robert Jourdain, explores the way the brain processes and perceives music. Who should read this book? Anyone who is interested in how music affects people. This includes serious listeners as well as performers. Things like learning a piece of music and hearing a piece of music performed are described in terms of human brain physiology. Lots of information from studies of the brain helps justify some of the assertions the author makes. If you’ve ever wondered how some music can affect you so powerfully as to make you shudder or get “goose bumps,” then read this book. If you’ve ever wondered about the differences in the way a musician percieves a performance and how the audience perceives it, then read this book. If you’ve ever pondered whether there’s even such a thing as innate musical talent, then read this book.
read more of book review: Music, the Brain, and Ecstasy
