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Summary: Thank You Kenny Werner!
Review: !!!!!!!!WERNER'S IDEAS WILL NOT MAKE TRUE SENSE UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING TO GIVE THE EXERCISES A TRY AND NOT GIVE UP ON THEM!!!!!
I couldn't begin to tell you how important this book has become to me. i am 18 years old and played guitar 5 years during middle and high school. i was frustrated in the guitar and never felt like i was as good as other people, or i didn't have what it takes to be good. so i basically quit playing. so after two years of not playing anything,i picked up the piano, which was sixth months ago. and this is what led me to Effortless Mastery. i got the book and read it and it made more sense than i could tell you. i got serious with trying to use his techniques and i felt myself improving unusually well. music had a whole new feel to it, almost like the more i let myself go into "the space" the more music i realized was out there to be played.('Werner talks about the body as a vessel for music located in the soul). Anyway here is my point, i randomly one night picked up my guitar and started playing it. It was no ordinary feeling. The guitar was my "new" instrument to play. In only TWO months i have improved more than ten times the amount i improved earler in the 5 years of frustrating playing (trying to force the music out, instead of letting it come out by "ITSELF") And I love playing again! even listening to music is better, and the most exciting thing is that music only gets better from here on! I hope to meet kenny werner someday, i could not thank you enough!
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Summary: Vital information for the creative spirit
Review: A friend of mine had this book. We were recording together in the studio and during my down time, I would leaf through the pages of Effortless Mastery. I found I couldn't put it down, and eventually my friend just loaned me the book. Kenny has an amazing gift to convey how to get out of your own way and call upon your higher self and really relax when performing. I am a singer and songwriter but I quickly realized that this information was valuable to anyone with a creative spirit. I bought several copies of this book for fellow musician friends and singers. It's just outstanding! I love his spiritual insights and how that connects to your creativity. Relax, don't try to sound great. Helped me tremendously during my performances to this day. Excellent contribution Mr. Werner! Thank you and I highly reccomend this book to anyone who struggles with "fear" when expressing themselves creatively.
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Summary: an absolute must-read for musicians
Review: Anyone who plays, or has ever played, an instrument should read this book. About once a page, sometimes for the entire page, Kenny Werner addresses issues that seem to come right out of your own music-mind, not the least of which is the fact that so many of us suffer from frustration and depression in the attempt at learning something that is so inherently joyful. It is one of the many paradoxes which Kenny addresses so insightfully, humorously, and most importantly, compassionately. If you are having trouble learning music, check out this book. As Kenny points out, there is no immediate solution (other than acknowledging the problem and starting a new consciousness today) but you will be amazed at how well he knows the musical mind. Bill Evans once said that "knowing the problem is 90% of solving it", and with this book the problems are made known. Thanks Ken.
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Summary: Not Just For Musicians
Review: As one reviewer put it, this book is mistitled. Anyone struggling with the creative process - visual artists, thespians, writers, etc. - will benefit from the astounding truths in this book. A clear, straightforward style makes Werner's words so easy to digest, but so far-reaching in terms of spirituality and art. Oil painting will never be the same for me, thank God, now that I see how my ego has interfered with process of "being a master." Kenny Werner is one provocative writer!
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Summary: This is a great tool to quiet your "inner critic."
Review: I am only about 3/4s through this book, and I couldn't be more enthusiastic. I happen to love Kenny Werner's piano playing--always heard him and thought "Well, I'll never sound like THAT!"-- only to read his book and have him address this very attitude with unbelievable accuracy. I've already changed the way that I practice my instruments, and I just put some of his approach to work in a 3 day recording session with some players that I admire very much. While I had couple of brief self-doubt meltdowns, the whole experience was so much easier than I had even hoped for, and yes, even "effortless" at times. I know that changing my perspective, and my expectations made a huge difference in my ability to enjoy the moment, and as a result, the music that came forth. I am recommending this book for anyone who has ever played a musical instrument--at ANY level--and stopped, even if it was a long time ago. This book explains what might have gotten in your way of the music-making experience. I also want to recommend it to those of us who play professionally but are either frustrated with our own progress or just not enjoying it as much as we did when we were young. There's no reason music can't be that fun again.
Rating:
Summary: This is a great tool to quiet your "inner critic."
Review: I am only about 3/4s through this book, and I couldn't be more enthusiastic. I happen to love Kenny Werner's piano playing--always heard him and thought "Well, I'll never sound like THAT!"-- only to read his book and have him address this very attitude with unbelievable accuracy. I've already changed the way that I practice my instruments, and I just put some of his approach to work in a 3 day recording session with some players that I admire very much. While I had couple of brief self-doubt meltdowns, the whole experience was so much easier than I had even hoped for, and yes, even "effortless" at times. I know that changing my perspective, and my expectations made a huge difference in my ability to enjoy the moment, and as a result, the music that came forth. I am recommending this book for anyone who has ever played a musical instrument--at ANY level--and stopped, even if it was a long time ago. This book explains what might have gotten in your way of the music-making experience. I also want to recommend it to those of us who play professionally but are either frustrated with our own progress or just not enjoying it as much as we did when we were young. There's no reason music can't be that fun again.
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Summary: If you are a musician AND a human being, please read on...
Review: I cannot even begin to say how valuable this book is. Perhaps you have spent thousands of dollars throughout your life on lessons and instructional materials... well here is a true gem that will cost you almost nothing by comparison.What happens in this book is simple: Kenny outlines and details all the mistakes and counter-productive mindsets that we bring to our instruments, and then tells us how to move beyond them. He does this with humor and wit, compassion and insight. He shows you how practicing in the right mindset for 5 minutes per day is more productive than practicing three hours in the wrong mindset. Now this wisdom is not limited to your approach to your instrument by any means. You can apply this to your whole life, your love life, your professional life, whatever. This is good, simple, life knowledge. This book would be a bargain at twice the price. If you are reading this review and checking out this book, it is probably not a mistake. This information has been waiting for you. Congratulations - you found it!
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Summary: My Life Will Never Be The Same
Review: I give this book and cd my highest of recommendations to all musicians who are looking for more depth, enjoyment, confidence, ease of playing, and well, mastery in their musical careers. It has brought all of these things to me (and more) at a time when I most needed them.
It's so easy - as most of us know - to let that little voice in our head tyrannize and corrupt our musical experiences; whether it's during performance, recording, composing, practicing, or even when teaching and listening. This little voice, and the mindset to which it can lead, can transform what should be an ecstatic and fulfilling musical experience to one of trepidation, discomfort, and even fear.
But if this sounds all too familiar, fret not! Kenny has laid out a clear and simple plan for us to follow with which we can end all of the anxiety and learn to play music from what is known as "the space." This is the mindset (demonstrated by such legends as Miles Davis, Count Basie, and Itzhak Perlman) of total relaxation and focus that is free of judgment, expectation, and essentially any thought process whatsoever - opening us up like an empty vessel to receive a never-ending supply of ideas and inspiration. You could also refer to "the space" as the meditative state brought to a particular task - in this case, playing a musical instrument. It is that place that exists just behind our mind (and all of its ceaseless 'noise') where perfection and joy is a constant.
It is from this space that we must learn to practice and perform music for us to truly achieve what Kenny calls 'effortless mastery,' which he describes as one being able to play the material perfectly (whether it's jazz, classical, etc.) every time and without thought; to the point where the music plays itself and we just stay out of the way. Once we reach this point, he explains, we can experience the bliss, depth of sound, perfection, and everything else we think that only the elite few are 'entitled' to experience. Effortless mastery is, in fact, available to all of us if only we will open ourselves up to it. Kenny Werner will show you the way with this beautiful book and cd package.
Best wishes--
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Summary: This book will change your life...
Review: I just can't say enough good things about this book. I've read this book way too many times to count. Every time I'm in a musical "funk" I pull it out and read it again. It has been the single most influential book on musical thought I've ever checked out. I almost am ready to buy another copy as it's been practically destoyed as I've passed it around to friends and students (who then usually go out and buy the book for themselves...)! It's now a required text for all of my students who study with me.
I'm not huge into meditation, but many people may find that aspect of the book very appealing. Werner really hits home with his words in this book. From composition to teaching to performing, there is something in it for everyone, not just jazz musicians. Every time I read the book, it rekindles my love for performing.
If you're ready to take your musical thought and playing to an entirely different level you have to check this book out. Kenny's words are genuine and really will hit home with most everyone.
Rating:
Summary: This book will change your life...
Review: I just can't say enough good things about this book. I've read this book way too many times to count. Every time I'm in a musical "funk" I pull it out and read it again. It has been the single most influential book on musical thought I've ever checked out. I almost am ready to buy another copy as it's been practically destoyed as I've passed it around to friends and students (who then usually go out and buy the book for themselves...)! It's now a required text for all of my students who study with me.
I'm not huge into meditation, but many people may find that aspect of the book very appealing. Werner really hits home with his words in this book. From composition to teaching to performing, there is something in it for everyone, not just jazz musicians. Every time I read the book, it rekindles my love for performing.
If you're ready to take your musical thought and playing to an entirely different level you have to check this book out. Kenny's words are genuine and really will hit home with most everyone.
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