Just put down my violin, after one heck of a practice session. For the past couple of days I’ve begun focusing on repertoire that will be played at my Sedona Masterclass/Seminar, beginning on Friday. One of the pieces is ‘Tzigane’, by Maurice Ravel – quite a knuckle-buster. If you don’t have it in your CD library […]

We had just completed a very emotional and moving cue. The door to the control room opened with its usual clank, and there, walking to the conductor’s podium, was a man with a face you can never forget. Even without the fake ears. The orchestra broke into thunderous applause. Nimoy quickly waved us down, thanking […]

Got up early today and have been enjoying the moon-set and sunrise. Fantastic. And doing so I began thinking about what separates the amateur, or student player, from the real violin performer. First thing that came to mind is a bow moving back and forth, yet never coming within 8 inches or so of either […]

I can’t even begin to explain how I arrived at the title for this newsletter. Fact is, though, if you know anything about the lives of these two composers, and you think about it, you’ll agree the statement has merit. Handel was an early poster boy for capitalism. Yes, he had patronage, as a composer […]

Well, you might not believe this – I have difficulty myself – my computer tells me this is newsletter number five Hundred. That’s the magna 5-0, who can appreciate that sort of thinking. So the question I asked myself, as I settled into thinking of a topic, is, ‘Have I learned anything NEW in all […]

Wow, what a competition it was. Women’s all around gymnastics final, not determined by mistakes made, but rather by one young lady’s brilliance outshining the rest of the field. Nastia peaked at the absolute perfect time. Flawless form, breath taking grace and amazing difficulty coming together in a way that left my heart soaring and […]

Yesterday afternoon the wind kicked up, the sky darkened, and nature let loose with a doozey of a storm; the kind that quickens your pulse, demands you drop everything – including your jaw – and gaze in amazement. After a time my daughter couldn’t resist having a more up close and personal experience, so she […]

Funny thing, human nature. How often we’ll stamp out dreams before we’ve even shown them the light of day. For many, the why-not-tos’ are like a constant and strong headwind. And due to them, any growth is dearly paid for. Yesterday morning I heard from a busy mom with two kids. She thanked me for […]

If you’ve been reading my little missives lately you will remember that a few days ago I wrote that a certain amount of aches and pains are part of the violin bargain; especially so if you want to improve. Well, after that newsletter went out I got a response taking me to task for such […]

A few years ago I read a tribute someone had submitted to a literary magazine about her grandfather. It was a beautiful bit of writing, and it delivered a very special and potent message. The gist of the piece had to do with the grandparent’s success in dealing with what, at first glance, might be […]

In case you’ve been thinking your email provider has been holding out on you, rest easy. My newsletters have been a bit sporatic of late and my be for some time as we settle into our new ‘digs’. I hope and trust, however, that you’ve made good use of the couple minutes each day you […]

Back in LA sitting at my favorite Westside coffee house, ‘the Conservatory’ – how appropriate. Just downed the most potent triple espresso on the planet. Today I’ll be sitting in the hot seat for a film called ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’, composer Alexander Deplat. Don’t know a thing about the film, yet, but […]

Well, it’s been 2 weeks since my last newsletter. And what a two weeks it has been. Suffice it to say, my little family and I are safely in the beautiful red rock country of Sedona Arizona, after a move of major proportions. And I’m itching to get back to life more or less as […]

The past several days I’ve been doing exercises to strengthen my shoulder. Already I feel the results. And in doing these moves I’ve been reminded afresh just how important good posture is to a successful outcome. In just about anything. Take the exercises I’ve been doing. When I take a brief moment to assume good […]

Looking for temperatures in the mid-nineties here today. If it’s this hot in early June, can’t imagine where the old mercury’s going to be come August. Now, I know that some folks find the things I recommend in my courses challenging to put into daily practice. But bear this in mind. It takes 21 days […]