Author: Michael Gustorff
Publisher: Music Design
Year Published: 2006
Type: Non-Fiction
Format / Pages: / 76 pages
Review: This is the new, second edition of Practising without Problems: Mental Training For Jazz Musicians by Michael Gustorff. The chapters are short, concise, and reflect a thoughtful writer at work, whose goal is to share information on mental training for perfected practice as it applies to jazz listeners and jazz musicians. On a wider scale, the techniques given by Michael Gustorff can be shared with all musicians and listeners.
Michael Gustorff writes well, and his prose is lucid and enjoyable reading. The key to this fine book is once you know what to do and how to do it, then all you have to do is do it!
Following the preface, there are several chapters. Chapters cover who the book is for and how to use the book, mental preparation, dealing with new information and getting started with practice plans, while practicing and with practicing technique, practicing jazz and improvisation, problems and solutions, teaching and being taught, on stage, and other helpful information. An appendix with recommended books is also given.
An important aspect of this book is, it places emphasis on playing is listening. Listen to what you play, concentrate and hear what you play, and develop your skills accordingly.
Michael Gustorff is well-known in Europe and a highly respected performer. He is considered one of the finest jazz violinists in contemporary jazz. He has often been featured as a guest soloist with major bands and orchestras, among them the Rias-Big-Band of Berlin, Germany and the Millennium Jazz Orchestra. He performs swing and bebop with equal ease, as well as modern jazz and Cuban music. He has recorded numerous CDs.
For a well-crafted, educational approach to mental training for jazz musicians, this book ranks among the top books available, and should be most useful with its hands-on approach. It is a book which jazz musicians, jazz listeners, and the public at large will find most exciting and helpful reading.
Highly recommended. A true learning experience!
Additional Information: Check it out @ Amazon.com
ISBN: 9789077759028
Reviewed by: Lee Prosser
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