A Symphony for the Self-Taught

This is a solo episode where I talk about four essential components that are often overlooked by musicians when they put all of their attention on practicing their repertoire. I go into detail about the differences between warm-ups and technical exercises. I also mention the importance of being a great sight-reader and using comparative listening to develop your most important asset, your ears!

In this solo episode, I talk about the importance of playing very lightly with minimal tension for musicians. This is what will ultimately make you a virtuoso performer. I also share a my converse learning method for getting rid of recurring bad habits in your technique.

Breaking Strings is back this week and we're talking about the benefits and drawbacks of being a self-taught musician. It's such a stigma in the classical arts realm to avoid the formal training route. I thought I would chime in with my thoughts since I come from both the background of being self-taught and formal classical training.

The Grammy Award-winning folk duo Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer are on the show this week talking about their new musical, "All Wigged Out." The musical tells the story of Marcy's 7-year battle with cancer and the neuropathy from her cancer treatments. You can find it world-wide at Broadway on Demand. Visit Cathy and Marcy's website: www.cathymarcy.com Support Breaking Strings Podcast here: https://ko-fi.com/breakingstrings

In this episode, I have a another chat with Berlin-based American guitarist and yoga practitioner Ben Beirs. We talk about mindfulness and other yoga-derived skills that can help musicians avoid certain common pitfalls and frustrations.  www.instagram.com/benbeirs  www.instagram.com/emaho.yoga Support Breaking Strings Podcast here: https://ko-fi.com/breakingstrings

Matt Bacon is an American classical guitarist, composer, and head of guitar faculty at KM Music Conservatory in Chennai, India. You can hear his composition "Homage to Jimmy Page" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mmfjwBdwjw Support Breaking Strings Podcast here: https://ko-fi.com/breakingstrings

Breaking Strings welcomes back New York-based Armenian classical guitar virtuoso Gohar Vardanyan. We talk about our maestro Manuel Barrueco, the importance of enjoying your work, and Gohar gives me insight into how she learned the guitar at 5-years-old. www.goharvardanyan.com www.instagram.com/goharguitar Support Breaking Strings Podcast here: https://ko-fi.com/breakingstrings

In this solo episode I talk about Michael Phelps, changing your musical approach with age, and the damage of perfectionism. I also tell a joke that might only be funny to musicians and I answer a listener letter about moving on from a sub-par musical performance. Support Breaking Strings Podcast here: https://ko-fi.com/breakingstrings

Today's guest is Grace Elmer, an associate classical guitar professor at Jacobs School in Indiana, member of the guitar duo G20, and public speaker. In the episode we on chat about recovering recovering from a serious hand injury, flamenco guitar, and playing guitar in operas. Support Breaking Strings Podcast here: https://ko-fi.com/breakingstrings

Today I sat down with the Berlin-based American classical guitarist and yoga practitioner, Ben Beirs. We talk about his time studying in Paris with Roland Dyens and Judicael Perroy. We also discuss how yoga methodology has influenced his thought process with high-pressure performance situations. You can follow Ben's Instagram account @BenBeirs or visit him at http://benbeirs.com Support Breaking Strings Podcast here: https://ko-fi.com/breakingstrings