Episode 39: Soft Skills, Bad Pedagogy (?), and the Future of Conservatoires

Join me as I share insights into building your own spare parts as a musician, drawing parallels between music and craftsmanship. From crafting your practice routine to identifying your personal challenges, we'll explore the journey of honing your skills to become an advanced instrumentalist. Episode Outline: Embracing the World of Tea and the Journey of Building a Recording Studio (00:00:00 - 00:05:06) Introduction to the episode and the importance of setting up a conducive environment for music production. The Importance of Building Your Own Spare Parts (00:05:06 - 00:10:45) Discussing the significance of developing your unique musical skills and techniques. Understanding the Challenges of a Musician's Career and the Concept of the Swiss Army Knife (00:10:45 - 00:15:36) Exploring the diverse challenges musicians face and the analogy of being a versatile performer. Confronting Personal Challenges and Recognizing the Importance of Individualized Practice (00:15:36 - 00:23:10) Addressing personal obstacles in music and the value of tailored practice routines. Exploring Equipment and Personal Revelations in Teaching (00:23:10 - 00:30:04) Delving into the role of equipment in music production and personal insights gained through teaching experiences.

Hey, everyone! Welcome to today's episode, where I'm delving into a reflective and somewhat emotional discussion as I celebrate my 60th birthday. Join me as I share my thoughts on aging, evolving goals, and the continuous journey of self-discovery. It's a momentous occasion, and I'm excited to take you along on this introspective journey. 00:00 - 00:55: Introduction and Emotional Reflection Expressing my feelings about turning 60 and the surprising impact it has had on me. Reflecting on the internal battles and thoughts about life and career. 01:26 - 02:47: Life's Competitive Goals to Personal Growth Tracing the evolution of my goals from competitive achievements to personal growth and becoming the best version of myself. Discussing the transition from being goal-oriented to focusing on being the best me I can be. 03:13 - 04:32: Goals at 60: Continuous Improvement and Love for Music Sharing current goals, including continuous improvement in trombone playing and the enduring love for music. Discussing the internal battles and motivations to keep going. 05:00 - 06:46: Motivation Through Love and Joy Delving into the enduring motivation derived from the love of life and music. Discussing the joy of playing the trombone and the never-ending journey of creating sound and music. 12:14 - 13:40: Spectacular Birthday Present! Giving a hint at my spectacular birthday present tied to childhood dreams. Reflecting on the importance of celebrating life's milestones. Thank you for joining me on this introspective journey. Don't forget to subscribe for more content, and if you're curious about my special birthday present, sign up for the newsletter at my website [link below] for an exclusive look! Cheers to life, music, and the journey ahead. https://www.ianbousfield.com/

Hey, everyone! In today's podcast, I'll be diving into a detailed review of the Tatu Mutes made in Hungary. At first glance, I was skeptical due to its lightweight and flexible design, but after putting it to the test, I was pleasantly surprised. Join me as I explore its features, sound quality, and durability in this comprehensive review. 00:00 - 01:05: First Impressions and Design Discussing the Tatu Mute's 3D printed construction, perceived flimsiness, and initial thoughts on its style, weight, and comfort. 01:11 - 02:11: Sound Quality and Playing Test Evaluating the Tatu Mute's sound quality, intonation, and playability through various tests, including a high register exploration. 02:20 - 03:41: Durability Test and Build Quality Performing a durability test, dropping the Tata Mutes onto a hard floor, examining cork quality, and addressing concerns about its light and flimsy appearance. 03:58 - 06:11: Final Thoughts, Price, and Rating Summarizing the Tatu Mute's overall performance, expressing satisfaction, discussing the retail price of €99, and providing a current rating of 94 marks out of 100. Thanks for tuning in, and don't forget to subscribe for more reviews and musical content! https://linktr.ee/ianbousfieldofficial

With so much great equipment out on the market, I decided to take a look through and see if I can help guide how you spend your hard earned cash. Hope you enjoy it! You can also find the video on my YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/wg7ZJXFrwg4

I'll share my personal struggles as to whether I should play this music, and in general the responsibility of handling pieces of great art. Hopefully adding humour to trying to finding life's meaning in the music. Let's remember: tackle challenging pieces seriously and embrace the ongoing quest for improvement. Introduction (00:00:00 - 00:00:45:14) In the opening segment, I share my initial reflections on the unique experience of playing Bach on the cello. Versatility of Bach's Cello Suites (00:00:45:16 - 00:02:25:18) We delve into the versatility of Bach's compositions for cello, Performer's Responsibility and Rostropovich (00:02:25:20 - 00:04:48:24) Reflecting on the performer's responsibility, I discuss Rostropovich's approach and touch on perhaps why he waited so long before recording them. Phrasing, Breathing, and Personal Experiences (00:04:49:01 - 00:07:40:20) Emphasising the significance of phrasing and breathing, I share personal anecdotes about my struggles and growth during practice. Articulation, Interpretation, and Final Thoughts (00:07:40:22 - 00:11:49:02) Let's explore the role of articulation, delve into my perspective on the debate, and discuss cautionary advice. I'll conclude with remarks on the gravity of approaching challenging musical pieces.

Hey everyone! Today, I want to share a bit about my approach to fitness and mental well-being as a musician. I've received some great questions from you, and I thought it's time to dive into this important aspect of our lives. 00:00:00 - 00:02:32:19 | Finding My Fitness Groove I kick off my day with a morning routine that includes a run to the fitness studio, some cardio on the elliptical trainer, weights, and a refreshing swim or cold shower. I'm not a long-distance runner, but I love sprinting, and staying active makes a huge difference in how I feel. It's not about impressing anyone; it's about feeling better in my own skin. 00:02:33:00 - 00:11:47:03 | Balancing My Diet Let's talk diet. I follow a mostly vegan diet for a few days a week, but I'm no purist. I enjoy a good steak when I feel like it. I've even concocted my own calorie bomb – a mixture of peanut butter, tahini, and honey – that keeps me satisfied. It's about finding what works for you, not following trends. 00:14:01:10 - 00:18:56:23 | Dealing with Stress and Pressures Being a musician comes with its fair share of stress, whether it's performing in front of an audience or dealing with the bureaucracy of the industry. I've faced setbacks, financial challenges, and moments of self-doubt. But when I pick up my instrument, it all fades away. Music is my refuge. 00:18:57:00 - 00:34:41:19 | Handling Setbacks in Music and Life Life is full of setbacks, from financial hurdles to personal challenges. But I've learned that setbacks are part of the journey. Playing the trombone is not just about fixing technical issues; it's about being a good person, enjoying the process, and transmitting the joy of music.

Get ready to dive deep into the world behind the brass curtain. In this episode, we'll unravel the intricate nuances of trombone competitions. I'll be questioning the very fabric of judging criteria, sharing candid insights into the influence of teachers, and exploring the real purpose of competitions. We'll also delve into the impact on musicians' development and the often-overlooked role of orchestral positions in shaping solo careers. Hope you enjoy! 00:00:00 - 00:03:48: The Paradox of Competitions in Music * Exploring the historical significance of European trombone competitions, their impact on solo careers, and the paradoxical nature of competitions in the music industry. 00:03:48 - 00:06:13: The Blind Spot of Trombone-Centric Judgments * Discussing the perspective of trombone players, the influence of personal taste in competitions, and the need for a broader, more musically relevant judging panel. 00:06:13 - 00:09:49: Conflicts of Interest and Lack of Fairness * Addressing conflicts of interest in competitions, the compromised appearance of fairness, and the challenge of maintaining integrity in judging panels with personal connections. 00:09:49 - 00:13:35: Rethinking the Purpose of Competitions * Questioning the true purpose of competitions, emphasising the need for relevance to a professional career, proposing the inclusion of agents on judging panels, and critiquing the current focus on preparation over performance. 00:13:35 - 00:19:22: Beyond Taste: A Call for Impartiality * Advocating for an impartial judging process, drawing parallels with wine tasting, and challenging the simplistic judgment based on personal taste in competitions, with a focus 00:19:22:17 - 00:23:31:13 The Role of Competitions in Music * Discussion on the impact of competitions on musicians' careers. Emphasis on the importance of adequate training and responsibility for both teachers and participants 00:23:31:15 - 00:24:52:15 Jury Feedback and Competition Integrity * Insights into the jury feedback system in competitions. Calls for a more constructive feedback system. 00:24:52:17 - 00:25:45:02 Rethinking Trombone Competitions * Critique of the current format of trombone competitions and a call for positive changes. Expresses the need to consider alternative perspectives, possibly involving musicians from different instruments in jury panels. 00:25:45:04 - 00:33:14:12 Becoming a Soloist: Challenges and Opportunities *Exploration of the path to becoming a soloist, highlighting the experiences of successful trombonists like Christian Lindberg and discussing the role of orchestral positions in fostering solo careers. 00:33:14:12 - 00:36:56:00 Building a Solo Career: Advice and Reflection * Reflections on defining a soloist, the importance of determination, and the role of orchestral positions in solo opportunities. Offers advice on aspiring soloists and expresses gratitude for the community.

Join me as I ramble through duality in the classroom, my dad's dogs, Marco Pierre White and perfection.

Want to know how he has achieved what he has achieved and what makes him tick? I found the interview fascinating, not least because he was so open. I think you are going to enjoy this one! 

Does the end of the pandemic spell disaster for YouTube sensations? Opinion given as fact, and many other topics including how to enjoy practicing scales and the truth about practice mutes!