You know, it’s funny. When I send out these emails I often don’t have a clue how they are going to be received. Yesterday’s was a case in point. So I just want to take a moment and thank you for the many wonderful responses that appeared in my inbox through the day. They ‘warmed […]

Do you remember the song from the old children’s film, ‘Mary Poppins’, ‘I Love to Laugh’? Well, today my practice was about ‘loving to shift.’ And I brought all the gusto to it that shifting deserves; which is to say, a lot. So pay head, I only want to go through this once. Most of […]

So, the holidays upon, which sometimes has folks feeling their purpose is to get frenzied and stressed out. Not here, they don’t. And if you’ve been a practicing with my instructional DVD materials I bet you’ve got a pretty good handle on things as well. Now, this is a gem today so pay attention. When […]

Many years ago I brought ‘Introduccione et Rondo Capriccioso’ to a lesson with Milstein. About 40 or so measures into the Rondo there are a couple of passages calling for up-bow staccato. Many a violinist – and at the time I was one of them – have found these a source of great frustration. Sure […]

A couple days ago I mentioned having made my debut as a unicycling violinist. For the event I’d worked out my own arrangement of ‘Jingle Bells’ – complete with harmonies and counterpoint all the way through. Yet during the event I found myself connecting more with the audience when I simply played the ‘Greensleeves’ melody, […]

The last of the Thanksgiving leftovers disappeared at supper last night. And having let out a notch on my belt this morning I’m anxious to burn some calories packing up and shipping hot-off-the-press, life-altering DVD courses on violin playing – to You. Indeed so anxious am I to perform this work that I’ve put together […]

Weather just turned Thanksgiving here in Sedona. Sky’s gray and close; through the mist I see a new whiteness resting on the shoulders of faceted lime and sandstone monoliths; limb and leaf wear glistening tears, sometimes losing their hold and streaking toward Earth. Ah, well, so much for poetic. Sure feels nice to indulge now […]

I don’t think I need to tell YOU this, yet I’ll say it anyway – We live in a highly changeable world. Such is the nature of the world of form. And we can either use our creative powers to get out front of changing conditions, and thrill in the new challenges facing us daily, […]

In my late teens I was a student of martial arts. I had as my teacher a wonderful Korean gentleman, a 5th degree black belt. After an early demonstration of Ki energy, in which he literally chewed up a coke bottle in front of my eyes, I realized how important it was to stay on […]

I don’t know about you, but what I’m interested in, after the basic necessities have been met, are feelings and ideas. That’s it. Now, you may be a wondering why I’m saying this. Well, its cause in the last few days I’ve gotten a few emails from people getting a very wrong impression of me. […]

OK, let’s get back to one of your favorite exercises in personal sovereignty, playing the violin. As I reported to you some time ago, I’ve been investing some energy into combining my live performance on the violin with choreography on my unicycle. It’s been eye-opening to such an extent I think you should know about […]

It’s truly a Fluid world we live, isn’t it. Sometimes I find my own fluid moving like molasses on a cold winter night. Last night it was moving like a Mississippi flood. Sometimes the fluids around us flow with our own. Life is bliss and wonderfulness. Sometimes they do not. And there is challenge. In […]

Every time I heard Nathan Milstein perform it was a revelation. He was that good. On one occasion, however, the opening minutes of a recital were quite alarming. It wasn’t his playing. You see, due to reconstruction of UCLA’s Royce Hall, an old ‘depression era’ auditorium was pressed into service for a season of concerts. […]

Day is breaking over the high desert. Looks to be clear and beautiful. Now, I received an email the day before yesterday that I’d like to share with you. Take a quick look. Hi Clayton, I’m glad you mentioned rhythm in your email. My son has been working on Bach Double’s second violin. He’s been […]

In a few hours time I’ll begin the 6th Master class I’ve run since Violin Mastery went live. I’m looking forward to a great event. One of the things on my mind is how to make the following statement true for everyone present: ‘Anything you can think, you can play.’ Now, many folks don’t exactly […]