Books about music, or getting better at music

benjs
benjs Toronto, ON Posts: 9,367
in Musicians and Gearheads
Hey folks! I figured I'd try to get out of the political BS and start to engage with people about music. 

So, with that, I'd like to share two books that I've been making my way through and having my mind blown by - and hopefully others on here might find value too.

The first one is called The Inner Game of Music. The Inner Game is a popular series of books written on sports performance, but the author found that it applied just as well to musicians. It's about handling internal dialogue during performances, and minimizing internal talk (and judgment). 

The next is called Anyone Can Play Music. It's written by a neuroscientist on the topic of how to stay growing as a musician. 

Would love to hear others' thoughts on either of these books if they've read them. I'm finding things from them which are resonating with me every time I sing or pick up an instrument. Have others found the same?
'05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2

EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1

Comments

  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    edited June 22
    Great thread title and great reasoning to start it, Ben!  :plus_one:            

    My favorite book about making music and getting better at it is also about being creative in general and getting better at it is...

    Highly recommended! Rick Rubin's The Creative Act:

    Simon Collison The Creative Act A Way of Being


    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • benjs
    benjs Toronto, ON Posts: 9,367
    brianlux said:
    Great thread title and great reasoning to start it, Ben!  :plus_one:            

    My favorite book about making music and getting better at it is also about being creative in general and getting better at it is...

    Highly recommended! Rick Rubin's The Creative Act:

    Simon Collison The Creative Act A Way of Being


    I’ve heard great things about this as well, thanks Brian! 
    '05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2

    EV
    Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    benjs said:
    brianlux said:
    Great thread title and great reasoning to start it, Ben!  :plus_one:            

    My favorite book about making music and getting better at it is also about being creative in general and getting better at it is...

    Highly recommended! Rick Rubin's The Creative Act:

    Simon Collison The Creative Act A Way of Being


    I’ve heard great things about this as well, thanks Brian! 

    Sure thing, Ben!  From what you said about the two books you mentioned (which sound very much worth checking out) I think you would find Rubin's book would fit right in with what you've discovered so far. 
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • Jason P
    Jason P Posts: 19,299
    I have not read those books but I will put them on my radar.  I've been focused more on general music theory but applying it more towards the guitar for the past year.  I've bought several books ... these are two I would recommend checking out:

    Music Theory for Guitarists, the Complete Method Book by James Shipway

    * this book has quizzes to work thru to reinforce the theory and seem rather straightforward compared to most books

    Fretboard Theory Volumes I + II by Desi Serna

    * I would caution to have a general music theory understanding, but there is all sorts of good information.






    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!

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