Musicianship Mastery with David Lane

Deciphering Written Rhythms (with David Krosner) | Ep38

One of the tools of musicianship that was mentioned in Episode 1 is the ability to play well any written rhythm.  Why so specific? Why WRITTEN rhythm instead of just saying that we should be good at rhythm.  It's because they are completely different skills, and you're probably already good at one of them whether you know it or not, but the other one needs training.  My guest is long-time friend, percussionist, former band director and educator for all ages, Dr. David Krosner.  We talk about how to quickly dissect written rhythm into something you can sight-read with success.  We also talk about the importance of memorizing entire rhythmic patterns (not just individual notes), playing polyrhythms, and more.  This is an essential episode for an essential tool!
Click here for David Krosner's book as mentioned in the episode: https://www.beatinpathpublications.com/DKrosner/home.html
Let me know your thoughts on this episode at https://www.speakpipe.com/MusicianToolkit or you can send me a written message at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/contact 
You can find this episode and links to this show on all podcast apps from https://musiciantoolkit.podbean.com/ . If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can also now find the podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit
You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1
This episode is sponsored by Fons, an online platform that helps private teachers of all types (music, yoga, martial arts, academic tutoring, coaches, etc) with smooth, automated assistance such as securing timely automatic payments and scheduling.  Click here for more information or to begin your free trial.
 

Composing Your Own Practice Etudes | Ep37

This is a full episode response to a listener question.  On an earlier episode about practice, it was mentioned that composing an etude based on a tricky measure or group of measures is a good way to not only conquer that measure, but passages like it that you might face in the future.  A listener asked David Lane: How do you compose your own practice etude?  Using 2 specific examples from the listener, a French hornist, he shares some ideas on how this might sound as various etudes.  This episode will hopefully help give you some ideas of how to get started, as well as answer why it's a good idea.
Let me know your thoughts on this episode at https://www.speakpipe.com/MusicianToolkit or you can send me a written message at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/contact 
You can find this episode and links to this show on all podcast apps from https://musiciantoolkit.podbean.com/ . If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can also now find the podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit
You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1
This episode is sponsored by Fons, an online platform that helps private teachers of all types (music, yoga, martial arts, academic tutoring, coaches, etc) with smooth, automated assistance such as securing timely automatic payments and scheduling.  Click here for more information or to begin your free trial.

Relocating as a Musician (with Robonzo) | Ep36

If you're a working musician, chances are that at least once in your life, you'll move to another area.  You're moving to an area with established musicians and trying to get your foot in the door.  What are some of the things you can do?  Robonzo is a drummer who has established a working network in the areas of Fort Worth/Dallas and San Francisco, as well as towns in Panama and Mexico, and shares a few things to do and don't to get started in a new area.
Robonzo is the creator and host of The Unstarving Musician podcast.
Let me know your thoughts on this episode at https://www.speakpipe.com/MusicianToolkit or you can send me a written message at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/contact 
You can find this episode and links to this show on all podcast apps from https://musiciantoolkit.podbean.com/ . If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can also now find the podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit
You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1
This episode is sponsored by Fons, an online platform that helps private teachers of all types (music, yoga, martial arts, academic tutoring, coaches, etc) with smooth, automated assistance such as securing timely automatic payments and scheduling.  Click here for more information or to begin your free trial.

Accomplish More by Being Specific | Ep35

Whether it's setting big goals for your life or even what you want to accomplish the next time you sit down to practice your instrument, one of the most powerful mindset tools you can employ is to be as specific as possible in what you expect to accomplish.  It helps to be realistic about what you can accomplish with your current skills and the time available, but avoiding generic goals and becoming super-specific is an effective first step in accomplishing a lot!
Let me know your thoughts on this episode at https://www.speakpipe.com/MusicianToolkit or you can send me a written message at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/contact 
You can find this episode and links to this show on all podcast apps from https://musiciantoolkit.podbean.com/ . If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can also now find the podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit
You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1
This episode is sponsored by Fons, an online platform that helps private teachers of all types (music, yoga, martial arts, academic tutoring, coaches, etc) with smooth, automated assistance such as securing timely automatic payments and scheduling.  Click here for more information or to begin your free trial.

The Craft of Conducting (with Michelle Merrill) | Ep34

Every musician should know a little about conducting.  But what does a conductor really do, especially when working with professional musicians?  How do they prepare for rehearsal and for a performance?  Our guest this episode is Michelle Merrill, a conductor who previously served as Associate/Assistant Conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under the supervision of esteemed maestro Leonard Slatkin.  She is the music director of the Coastal Symphony of Georgia, and just recently was appointed as the new music director of the Winston-Salem Symphony Orchestra.  She talks about the importance of networking, the craft of score and rehearsal preparation, the importance of making sure your physical style suits you individually, as well as her short and long term plans with the Winston-Salem Symphony.
For single tickets to the WSSO 2023-24: https://wssymphony.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/
For more on Michelle Merrill, visit: https://www.michelle-merrill.com/
Let me know your thoughts on this episode at https://www.speakpipe.com/MusicianToolkit or you can send me a written message at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/contact 
You can find this episode and links to this show on all podcast apps from https://musiciantoolkit.podbean.com/ . If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can also now find the podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit
You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1
This episode is sponsored by Fons, an online platform that helps private teachers of all types (music, yoga, martial arts, academic tutoring, coaches, etc) with smooth, automated assistance such as securing timely automatic payments and scheduling.  Click here for more information or to begin your free trial.
 

Self-Improvement Through Performance Review | Ep33

In the corporate world, it's customary to receive a performance review from your supervisor.  A good review is objective, noting what you're doing well already and what needs improvement.  When you're a solo musician or private teacher, a performance review is an important step that often gets ignored because...well, you're by yourself.  However, by simply recording video and audio of yourself at work and making observations during playback, you can separate your roles of the the employee and the supervisor.  In this episode, you can hear how a performance review can greatly improve your practice, your progress on a piece, your effectiveness as a teacher, your goals, your finances, and so much more!
Let me know your thoughts on this episode at https://www.speakpipe.com/MusicianToolkit or you can send me a written message at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/contact 
You can find this episode and links to this show on all podcast apps from https://musiciantoolkit.podbean.com/ . If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can also now find the podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit
You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1
This episode is sponsored by Fons, an online platform that helps private teachers of all types (music, yoga, martial arts, academic tutoring, coaches, etc) with smooth, automated assistance such as securing timely automatic payments and scheduling.  Click here for more information or to begin your free trial.

Collecting Instruments on a Budget (with Eric Perrotti) | Ep32

Eric Perrotti is primarily a guitarist, but with a passion for learning as many instruments as possible, enough so that he has collected over 200!  However, he has done so with a very modest budget.  He talks about the approaches he has taken to learn all of these instruments in a self-taught way, as well as his strategies for finding great deals and building his instrument library without breaking the bank!
Follow Eric at https://www.instagram.com/ericperrotti/
What are your tips for finding or learning new instruments? Let me know your thoughts on this episode at https://www.speakpipe.com/MusicianToolkit or you can send me a written message at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/contact 
You can find this episode and links to this show on all podcast apps from https://musiciantoolkit.podbean.com/ . If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can also now find the podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit
You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1
This episode is sponsored by Fons, an online platform that helps private teachers of all types (music, yoga, martial arts, academic tutoring, coaches, etc) with smooth, automated assistance such as securing timely automatic payments and scheduling.  Click here for more information or to begin your free trial.

Music Theory Checklist | Ep31

Where are you in your knowledge of music theory?  It all starts with the fundamentals (a very broad category that takes a while to master) and there are multiple levels of each branch to know before you move on to other areas such as part-writing skills, analysis, and counterpoint.  This episode will give you a checklist of skills and experiences.  Check off what you know, and write down what you need to learn.
For the written list, go to: https://www.davidlanemusic.com/post/music-theory-levels-a-checklist
Let me know your thoughts on this episode at https://www.speakpipe.com/MusicianToolkit or you can send me a written message at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/contact 
You can find this episode and links to this show on all podcast apps from https://musiciantoolkit.podbean.com/ . If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can also now find the podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit
You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1
This episode is sponsored by Fons, an online platform that helps private teachers of all types (music, yoga, martial arts, academic tutoring, coaches, etc) with smooth, automated assistance such as securing timely automatic payments and scheduling.  Click here for more information or to begin your free trial.

Playing Guitar for Pixar and More (with Andrew Synowiec) | Ep30

Andrew Synowiec is a session musician, primarily as a guitarist, who has appeared on recordings of a variety of artists and bands, including The Who, Barbara Streisand, Megan Trainor, and M83.  He's also performed on the soundtracks of several films and television series, including Cobra Kai, Frozen, Coco, A Good Day to Die Hard, Little Fockers, and more!  Andrew talks about moving to LA from Miami, becoming a session guitarist, the process of working with a variety of composers, and...of course, the tools to be successful in this line of work.  He also talks about some of his other projects as a performer.  This is a great conversation that you won't want to miss!
Find out more about Andrew Synowiec at https://andrewsynowiec.com/
Musical excerpts in order of appearance: "The Final Countdown" arr. Pinar Toprak (from The Lost City soundtrack)
"Sam and Robby" and "Quiver" by Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson (from Cobra Kai soundtrack)
"Let It Go" by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (from Frozen soundtrack)
"Triple Vodka Rhapsody" by Marco Beltrami (from A Good Day to Die Hard)
"Dia de Los Muertos" by Michael Giacchino (from Coco)
"Triad Days" and "Late to the Party" by Andrew Synowiec
Let me know your thoughts on this episode at https://www.speakpipe.com/MusicianToolkit or you can send me a written message at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/contact 
You can find this episode and links to this show on all podcast apps from https://musiciantoolkit.podbean.com/ . If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can also now find the podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit
You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1
This episode is sponsored by Fons, an online platform that helps private teachers of all types (music, yoga, martial arts, academic tutoring, coaches, etc) with smooth, automated assistance such as securing timely automatic payments and scheduling.  Click here for more information or to begin your free trial.

What Apps Do Musicians Use? | Ep29

Whether it's a virtual metronome or tuner, notation software, games to improve your music theory or ear training, or more...musicians have plenty of choices and sometimes the need for apps to help them have a better practice experience, to learn skills, or simply to make the music.  This is far from a comprehensive list, but includes categories of apps and some suggestions for each musician to consider.
You can find a written list of the apps mentioned in this episode here: https://www.davidlanemusic.com/post/what-kind-of-apps-do-musicians-use
What kind of apps do you use as a musician?  Let me know your thoughts on this episode at https://www.speakpipe.com/MusicianToolkit or you can send me a written message at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/contact 
You can find this episode and links to this show on all podcast apps from https://musiciantoolkit.podbean.com/ . If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can also now find the podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit
You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1
This episode is sponsored by Fons, an online platform that helps private teachers of all types (music, yoga, martial arts, academic tutoring, coaches, etc) with smooth, automated assistance such as securing timely automatic payments and scheduling.  Click here for more information or to begin your free trial.