Author Archives: David Motto

How to Overcome Any Musical Challenge

David Motto’s Practice Tip of the Week:How to Overcome Any Musical Challenge It’s Not About Working Harder and Harder Many musicians hunker down and work harder and harder – and get more and more frustrated – whenever they face a … Continue reading

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Half Year Goals 2017

Goals for the Second Half of the Year Today is July 1. Half of the year is gone. How did the first half of the year go for you? Hopefully, at the beginning of the year, you set annual goals, … Continue reading

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How to Use Short Bursts of Time

David Motto’s Practice Tip of the Week:How to Use Short Bursts of Time Our Busy Lives Many musicians feel that they won’t accomplish their goals without spending extraordinary amounts of uninterrupted practice time. But, let’s look at reality for most … Continue reading

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Two Scientific Reasons Why You Should Rethink Your Use of Practice Time

Two Scientific Reasons Why You Should Rethink Your Use of Practice Time How Do You Think About Practice Time? Like most other musicians, I spent most of my life thinking that how much practicing I did directly impacted how much … Continue reading

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Three Essential Metronome Strategies

David Motto’s Practice Tip of the Week3 Essential Metronome Strategies Metronomes Are Must-Have Tools Metronomes are great tools for helping musicians play evenly, learn rhythms, and take control of counting. And, you can use a metronome to help you achieve … Continue reading

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Ten Minutes a Day Really Works

Though many musicians, performing artists, and other creatives like the idea of being obsessed with their goals and spending hours at a time on their creations, the truth is that few people have a lot of time each day to … Continue reading

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Quick Practice Tip – Drive

Drive & Determination Drive. Determination. Grit. Perseverance. Persistence. Vision. These are more important than skills and knowledge when you start learning something new. Just keep going and you’ll acquire the skills and knowledge along the way.

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Metronomes Define Priorities

David Motto’s Practice Tip of the WeekHow Metronomes Define Your Priorities The Importance of Mastering the Basics Mastering the basics is what makes great musicians sound so great. Knowing that you have control of intonation, tone, rhythm, and time lets … Continue reading

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Quick Performance Tip – Use Simple Strategies

Never be afraid to use a simple strategy that gets the job done even if you think you “should” do something more complex. Simple strategies can save performances.

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Clothing as Stage Presence

Costumes, Clothing, and Concert Dress:Creating Your Stage Presence Performers must be comfortable on stage, but they also must look the part. Audiences expect a symphony orchestra to be dressed formally, a country act to have a few musicians wearing cowboy … Continue reading

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