CTO ... Shining Light Project brings the joy of music to the underserved in Asheville

Musicians can and do make a difference. Here's a story to inspire!

Kate Steinbeck, flutist and founder of the chamber music ensemble, Pan Harmonia, says, “I’m on the planet to play music and share the light, and music has the power to do that.”

Check This Out ... Pan Harmonia is an independent artist collective based in Asheville, NC. They perform professionally throughout the region. They started the Shining Light Project to bring free music programs to various groups of people who may not otherwise have access or means to hear it. Read more at Shining Light Project .

Does this story inspire you? Or do you regularly share your music gratis? If so, who do you play for? Why do you do it? Tell us your stories!

Count to "8" for Effective Practice

Rouse the Spouse and I will sometimes head out to the tennis courts for fun and exercise. We don't play games. He's a much better player than I am. We simply hit the ball back and forth, practicing ground strokes or other skills. If we start missing - sending too many balls into the net or over the fence - we'll challenge ourselves to get 10 balls in a row over the net ... or 20. It's amazing how that little game forces us to focus, resulting in better play.

The same idea can be used in music practice. Take advantage of the benefits a little self-imposed pressure can bring. Challenging yourself to perform under pressure will transform your practice time . Setting yourself up for more intentional, focused practice will result in more efficient, effective practice. Here's a little game I play when I need some structure to support my own practice. All you need is a clothespin and the tuning pegs on your instrument.

• Count off 8 tuning pegs from the bottom of the instrument.
• Identify the passage and / or skill you will practice.
• Play the passage. Did you like what your heard? If yes, the clothespin goes on the first peg. If no, try again until you are satisfied with your performance. Then, put the clothespin on the first peg.
• Now, play the passage again. How was that? You are the judge! Was it perfectly acceptable? Yes? Move the clothespin ahead one peg. No? Move back one space. (Ooh... there's the rub!)
• Every time your performance is perfectly acceptable you move the clothespin ahead one peg. Every time it's not satisfactory, move it back one peg. Keep going until you make it to peg #8.
• Note: Once on peg #1, I never go in the negative. I just keep working until I get a good rendition that propels me forward.

Having trouble getting to 8?

• Slow down.
• Use the metronome if necessary.
• Identify trouble spots.
• Simplify the passage by shortening it, taking out embellishments, etc.

You may ask, "Why 8?" There's certainly nothing magic about performing a specific passage or skill eight times, but in my experience aiming for "8" tends to be challenging enough to expose my weaknesses, repetitive enough to make a significant difference in the effectiveness of my practice, and manageable enough to be accomplished in a reasonable amount of time.

This little game may drive you crazy, but I guarantee it will force you to focus and that will make your practice time more efficient and effective. Want to add a little more pressure? Give yourself a deadline. For example, start 15 minutes before your favorite tv show is scheduled to begin!

Giving credit where credit is due:  The game described above is my adaptation of an idea I found on Philip Johnston's web site PracticeSpot.com. Alas, the original info is no longer there. The web site has moved and has taken on a different focus: InsideMusicTeaching.com  Still some good info there!

Monday's Muse

"Why not just live in the moment, especially if it has a good beat?" ~ Goldie Hawn

CTO ... Ruth and Steve Smith's television appearance to be re-aired

Check This Out ...The episode of the PBS TV series, "Song of the Mountains", featuring  Ruth and Steve Smith, will be re-aired Saturday, February 9, at 6 pm on North Carolina Public television UNC-TV. Ruth and Steve perform the second half of the show.

And if you're in the western part of the state this weekend, they will be appearing that very same day, live, at the Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, NC (12-3 pm). It's free!

The Metronome is my Friend

Betsy and I have a gig this Sunday. Most of my practice in the past couple of weeks has involved reacquainting myself with our play list. Consequently, I have been reminded of all those pesky "difficult" spots. Time to break out the metronome!

The metronome is a great practice tool. Its benefits are many:

• Improves sense of beat and tempo
• Facilitates correct play of rhythms and note values
• Aids in ear training and musical skills 
• Exposes technical difficulties
• Makes practice time more efficient

Many of my students are reluctant to use the metronome. The unconverted do not realize the positive impact a metronome can have on practice and play. It just seems so darn tedious! Some may be intimidated by the unforgiving nature of the metronome. Some simply don't understand how to use it.

Here are some guidelines for using the metronome in your practice:

• Isolate the passage you wish to practice.
• Work it out. Familiarize yourself with the notes, chords, patterns, etc without regard to rigid time.
• Now, turn on the metronome. Set it at a comfortable, moderately slow pace, i.e. the speed at which you can play the passage with ease.
• Play the passage correctly and accurately a number of times. (You decide how many.)
• Gradually increase the speed.

Now, this is important. As speed increases, difficult spots will become obvious. Stop! Isolate the problem area. Identify the issue. Sloppy technique? Difficult reach? Challenging hammer pattern? Unusual rhythm? Don't really know what note you're heading to? Slow it down and fix it. Then practice out from the middle .... adding a couple of notes prior to the tricky spot and a couple of notes after. Always start at a speed that allows successful play of the passage, gradually increasing tempo. Don't worry. Speed will evolve.

Still not convinced? Think about this: Repetition is what helps us master a piece of music. Playing fast with lots of mistakes is counterproductive. On the other hand, repeating correct motions ... albeit slowly ... gets us where we want to be.

PS  While the majority of practice time should be spent playing under a controlled tempo, occasionally it's fun and instructive to crank it up to full speed. This gives you a little insight into what lies ahead, how it will feel, how motions may be different, and how some techniques may need to be adjusted.

Monday's Muse

"This week, I practice with intention!" ~ B. K.

CTO ... Dan Duggan Workshop and Concert ... Reserve Your Space Now!

Dan Duggan, of Red Creek, NY, is coming to Raleigh on March 9. He will be teaching an all-day workshop for advanced beginners and up ... then appearing in concert that evening with his wife, Peggy Lynn. It is time to reserve your space!

Dan is a well-regarded teacher and performer of the hammered dulcimer. He's a past National Hammered Dulcimer Champion, has produced many recordings, and is a prolific composer. He's always got something new up his sleeve!

Enjoy a day of practice and instruction. Then, invite friends and family members to join the fun at the evening concert.

Check This Out ... Contact Carol, the event organizer, to secure your space in the workshop and / or reserve tickets for the concert. Here's the scoop:

Dan Duggan, HD Workshop and Concert
Millbrook Baptist Church, 1519 Millbrook Rd, Raleigh
Saturday, March 9

Workshop will be geared to advanced beginners and up
10:00 am - 4:00 pm, $60 registration fee
Bring your own lunch.  Drinks and dessert provided.

Concert that evening with Dan and Peggy Lynn
7:00pm, Tickets = $10
All are welcome!

For more information about Dan's music:  www.esperanceproductions.com 

Rumor has it, there may be some informal jammin' going on between the end of the workshop and the beginning of the concert ... Hope to see you there!