Best Practice: Inspiration and Ideas for Traditional Musicians Paperback – April 5, 2021

With 197 micro-chapters, helpfully titled and indexed at the beginning, this book is a like the world's longest buffet for hungry, thirsty musicians. Jumping into this book reminded me of another book I loved early in my own performance career: Zen Guitar. This book combines practical musical pedagogy with mindfulness and an emphasis on the things real musicians think about: frustration, confidence, nervousness, physical comfort and well-being, rhythmic and musical challenges, and practicing regimens.If you are hitting a road block in your practicing--whether you are a beginner or a performance professional--visit this book. Get back into your own head and heart in a mindful way, be reminded that it's okay to simplify a tune or make a mistake. Discover new ways to learn and practice tunes.And if you're not hitting road blocks, this book will help you reflect on your musical practices, revisit your musical and rhythmic assumptions, and become more mindful about both your own techniques and the music you are learning and playing.Finally, the format is outstanding. The typesetting is easy to read and the wide margins allow ample room for making your own notes and noting cross-references. The binding and cover are sturdy, but as a soft cover, it's not too heavy and can easily be tossed into a gig bag.This book will have a permanent spot on my practice stand, and I will turn to it each time I practice. Put this on the birthday or holiday gift list for the musicians and music teachers in your life. They will thank you.This book really is a gem. No wonder as I write this it is #1 in New Music Books on Amazon!

This book is really a treasure. I have read only a few chapters and my ideas of how to play and how to practice have changed. Really, what surprised me at the time (but not after I thought about it) is the similarity between the ideas in this book and various Buddhist mindfulness techniques that have been around for millenia. Present focus, concentration, mindfulness but also loving kindness at our mistakes and a philosophy of when your attention strays, bring it gently back to what you're doing. This book is simply wonderful as an instruction for both music and mindfulness and I simply can't recommend it enough. Thank you, Judy Minot.

Ms Minot has authored a guide for non-professional musicians that has no precedent. The topics are presented in a manner that allows users to read as far as desired and then apply that; or else search the contents for particular topics of interest and go directly to remedies. I have found this to be a book that I will gift to other musicians with great confidence that they will find clues to improve their playing. It applies equally to those who play for their own satisfaction as to those who are performing for others. I feel that many pro musicians could also find this book to be very helpful..

Judy Minot is a musician who plays many instruments and who incorporates elements of yoga, meditation, philosophy and martial arts into her 197 lessons. This is a comprehensive handbook that can be a wonderful help to amateur players, whether they play alone or in groups. I started the chromatic button accordion at age 70, and I have been looking for such an insightful helper. I plan to take one lesson a day which will be an enriching complement to the playing. Judy Minot makes playing music an even deeper experience. RvT

I started my musical journey at age 54 with Highland drumming and Irish bodhran. This helpful book has launched me to continue studying Irish flute in 2021 at age 69. Judy is clear, supportive, and in segments that I can absorb and use. I’m self taught with a few helps along the way from professionals. I see myself in many of the guides. Thank you Judy 🎶

This is slow going, but it works for musicians at many levels, from complete beginner to way past where I am at chapter 16. One step at a time. Really important subjects talked about really well in each single lesson. I find it useful to review each previous chapter, concentrate on the one most current and look ahead one chapter

A treasure trove of good ideas for practice, and approaches to playing to keep you centered and happy with your efforts. Tips are arranged in brief discussions, all handy reminders of how you should approach your time with your instrument.

Great book! Even as a gigging proffesional for many years (who now hates to practice) I found a bunch of great stuff in the first 20 pages. Can’t wait to explore it further and put the tips into my daily routine. Highly recommended!

This has revitalised my practice regime and I'd recommend it for all musicians. Every short section has something useful to try. I particularly liked the advice given that derives from martial arts and yoga disciplines.