Music Soul and Music Sold http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:40:52 GMT http://bandzoogle.com MusicSoulAndMusicSoldhttp://feedburner.google.com Chicago Piano Lesson Free Sampler Video http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm?feature=255281&postid=1753469 &nbsp;Here is another video lesson I just shot. &nbsp;In this particular video lesson I feature a lick by the very famous jazz piano player Bill Evans. &nbsp;I hope you enjoy this video. &nbsp;Shooting these <a href="http://www.freejazzlessons.com">jazz piano lessons&nbsp;has been a great way to share with the community. &nbsp;I hope to teach you all piano in my <a href="http://stevenixonmusic.net/lessons.cfm">chicago piano lessons &nbsp;studio very soon. jazz piano lessons has been a great way to share with the community.  I hope to teach you all piano in my chicago piano lessons  studio very soon.


]]> Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:40:52 GMT 5132A0606DEF407328F03A84820C1D9A Chicago Piano Lessons - Jazz Piano Lesson Video http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm?feature=255281&postid=1686077 &nbsp;Here's another <a href="http://www.freejazzlessons.com/how-to-play-spread-voicings-on-piano-great-jazz-piano-chords/">free jazz lesson&nbsp;I just made. &nbsp;This one was shot in my Chicago Piano Lessons studio. &nbsp;Hope you enjoy and I get to teach you soon. &nbsp;There are a few slots still open for private lessons. Please contact me today to get started. free jazz lesson I just made.  This one was shot in my Chicago Piano Lessons studio.  Hope you enjoy and I get to teach you soon.  There are a few slots still open for private lessons. Please contact me today to get started.

]]> Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:00:00 GMT 1E8F9AFE8E6D38298CF15A4F1B80A786 How To Comp: Two Handed Jazz Blues Chord Lesson http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm?feature=255281&postid=1473140 &nbsp;Here's a free lesson I just shot for the website www.freejazzlessons.com I really go into depth on how to play rootless <a href="http://www.freejazzlessons.com" target="_new">jazz piano chords and voicings behind a soloist. There's some cool chords and rhythms in there. I'm excited to share it with friends in Chicago and around the world! &nbsp; This video lesson combines 2 of my favorite styles. Jazz and Blues. I even throw in a couple gospel chords in there for good measure too! If you're interested in learning more about this style o any other jazz piano information please drop me a line about private lessons. &nbsp; Enjoy this video! jazz piano chords and voicings behind a soloist. There's some cool chords and rhythms in there. I'm excited to share it with friends in Chicago and around the world!
 
This video lesson combines 2 of my favorite styles. Jazz and Blues. I even throw in a couple gospel chords in there for good measure too! If you're interested in learning more about this style o any other jazz piano information please drop me a line about private lessons.
 
Enjoy this video!


]]> Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:05:00 GMT 0A3E50400D69E31C38021EB4480053AD Free Jazz Piano Lesson #3 http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm?feature=255281&postid=1460932 &nbsp;Here's another free video piano lesson I just made for the site&nbsp;<a target="_new" href="http://www.freejazzlessons.com/">freejazzlessons.com. &nbsp;In this video I teach you how to play a lick that jazz pianist Barry Harris played over the standard &quot;Green Dolphin&quot; Street. &nbsp;There's some awesome bebop vocabulary in there. &nbsp;Enjoy! freejazzlessons.com.  In this video I teach you how to play a lick that jazz pianist Barry Harris played over the standard "Green Dolphin" Street.  There's some awesome bebop vocabulary in there.  Enjoy!


]]> Thu, 03 Nov 2011 05:04:33 GMT 3FF2DDC9594DAF5AC45E21DC8C953BE9 Free Jazz Piano Lesson #2 http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm?feature=255281&postid=1329227 Here is another free video lesson I made for&nbsp;<a target="_new" href="http://freejazzlessons.com">freejazzlessons.com&nbsp;&nbsp; This video is a lesson on how to play a turnaround lick. &nbsp;Turnarounds are very common in jazz and this lick and can be used on lots and lots of tunes. &nbsp;Barry Harris made this particular lick idea famous. &nbsp;Enjoy the free lesson! freejazzlessons.com  

This video is a lesson on how to play a turnaround lick.  Turnarounds are very common in jazz and this lick and can be used on lots and lots of tunes.  Barry Harris made this particular lick idea famous.  Enjoy the free lesson!

]]> Sun, 25 Sep 2011 00:30:00 GMT 6FDE9A67F9374799D5AFC767E0454B05 Free Jazz Piano Lesson http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm?feature=255281&postid=1278332 Here's a video I just made for <a target="_new" href="http://www.freejazzlessons.com">www.freejazzlessons.com&nbsp;&nbsp; It features a very cool jazz piano bebop lick over a minor ii - V - i &nbsp;chord progression. &nbsp;Enjoy! www.freejazzlessons.com  
It features a very cool jazz piano bebop lick over a minor ii - V - i  chord progression.  Enjoy!



]]> Sat, 10 Sep 2011 01:30:00 GMT C26FEB9C8A38C2E3DE29485FD6A8AC3F Paying It Forward http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm?feature=255281&postid=1127389 When I graduated Berklee in 20002 they had a great career assistance program in place. &nbsp;This program allowed recent grads to get in touch with successful musicians who were living in the city the recent graduate was planning on moving to. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I didn't know very much about Chicago nor did I know much about the music business here. &nbsp;I just knew I wanted to be there. &nbsp;I received many great tips along the way about the best neighborhoods to live in, restaurants to eat at, how to avoid parking tickets, how to get around the city, and much more . &nbsp;Most importantly, they shared with me some great tips on where were the places to go to get my music career moving on the fast track and which places were &quot;dead ends&quot; so to speak. &nbsp;I'm quite certain they saved me hundreds of hours of wasted time. &nbsp; They contributed to my success immeasurably. &nbsp; &nbsp; Fast forward to today. &nbsp;A reader by the name of Justin contacted me saying he wanted to move to Chicago to start his music career. &nbsp;We spoke at length for about an hour about music and doing music successfully in Chicago. I can never forget the help I received along the way. &nbsp;I can only hope I was able to help Justin make his decision a bit easier for him. &nbsp; My parents instilled in me a concept called <a target="_new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_it_forward">&quot;paying it forward&quot;&nbsp; The basic concept is helping others in repayment of sorts for the help you've received in previous times.&nbsp;&nbsp;I can only hope I was able to satisfy that principle today. &nbsp;Good luck Justin and Chicago welcomes you!    
 
I didn't know very much about Chicago nor did I know much about the music business here.  I just knew I wanted to be there.  I received many great tips along the way about the best neighborhoods to live in, restaurants to eat at, how to avoid parking tickets, how to get around the city, and much more .  Most importantly, they shared with me some great tips on where were the places to go to get my music career moving on the fast track and which places were "dead ends" so to speak.  I'm quite certain they saved me hundreds of hours of wasted time.   They contributed to my success immeasurably.
 
 
Fast forward to today.  A reader by the name of Justin contacted me saying he wanted to move to Chicago to start his music career.  We spoke at length for about an hour about music and doing music successfully in Chicago. I can never forget the help I received along the way.  I can only hope I was able to help Justin make his decision a bit easier for him.
 

My parents instilled in me a concept called "paying it forward"  The basic concept is helping others in repayment of sorts for the help you've received in previous times.  I can only hope I was able to satisfy that principle today.  Good luck Justin and Chicago welcomes you!]]> Mon, 25 Jul 2011 04:20:00 GMT 4D907D2D7704387822B5B1B05820D0F0 How To Choose the Right Piano Teacher Article #1 http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm?feature=255281&postid=1121720 Many future piano students are overwhelmed by finding the right piano teacher. Finding a teacher that understands your individual goals and can help you achieve them can seem very difficult. &nbsp;Here is just a few tips to assist you in selecting the best piano teacher for you.&nbsp; 1. Choose a teacher with lots of professional performance experience.&nbsp; If you study with a teacher who has very little experience in the real world of performance they are teaching based off of what they think &quot;may&quot; work. &nbsp;On the other hand if your teacher has performed thousands of performances they are sure to know the tried and true techniques to help you learn piano at the highest level.&nbsp; Tip: Make sure your teacher has a performance resume. &nbsp;There should be names on there of people you have heard of before! 2. Find a teacher with a degree from a top level music conservatory (Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory, Julliard School of Music, Eastman School of Music) The difference of studying piano with a conservatory trained piano teacher and somebody without one of these degrees can be astounding. &nbsp;Conservatories only accept the most talented and focused of musicians and teachers. &nbsp;You can ensure that when you learn from a conservatory trained musician you are learning the most detailed, most structured, and rich approach to learning music. &nbsp;Your time, future talent, and passion is very important. &nbsp; 3. Make sure the piano teacher instructs the styles of music you enjoy. If you love blues, rock and jazz then why would you study with an instructor who only plays classical music. &nbsp;Most teachers who primarily teach classical don't understand the modern method of learning, teaching, and performing popular music. &nbsp;Make sure your teacher can teach you various styles of music based off your individual interests. 4. Find a teacher who has written many articles, books, or published instructional videos to ensure their teaching expertise. It is a great sign when a teacher has created their own education material. &nbsp;It takes thousands of hours to create high level educational content. &nbsp;Therefore, you know a teacher has put in many hours into crafting their skill as a music educator. 5. Make sure your teacher has a success rate with their students that matches your goals It is important that your teacher can help your achieve your goals. &nbsp;For example, If your goals is to play piano for a church make sure your teacher has a history of teaching their students how to achieve this. &nbsp; For more tips on choosing the right piano teacher in the Chicago area click <a target="_new" href="./lessons.cfm">Here &nbsp; Finding a teacher that understands your individual goals and can help you achieve them can seem very difficult.  Here is just a few tips to assist you in selecting the best piano teacher for you. 


1. Choose a teacher with lots of professional performance experience. 

If you study with a teacher who has very little experience in the real world of performance they are teaching based off of what they think "may" work.  On the other hand if your teacher has performed thousands of performances they are sure to know the tried and true techniques to help you learn piano at the highest level. 
Tip: Make sure your teacher has a performance resume.  There should be names on there of people you have heard of before!


2. Find a teacher with a degree from a top level music conservatory (Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory, Julliard School of Music, Eastman School of Music)

The difference of studying piano with a conservatory trained piano teacher and somebody without one of these degrees can be astounding.  Conservatories only accept the most talented and focused of musicians and teachers.  You can ensure that when you learn from a conservatory trained musician you are learning the most detailed, most structured, and rich approach to learning music.  Your time, future talent, and passion is very important.  


3. Make sure the piano teacher instructs the styles of music you enjoy.

If you love blues, rock and jazz then why would you study with an instructor who only plays classical music.  Most teachers who primarily teach classical don't understand the modern method of learning, teaching, and performing popular music.  Make sure your teacher can teach you various styles of music based off your individual interests.


4. Find a teacher who has written many articles, books, or published instructional videos to ensure their teaching expertise.

It is a great sign when a teacher has created their own education material.  It takes thousands of hours to create high level educational content.  Therefore, you know a teacher has put in many hours into crafting their skill as a music educator.


5. Make sure your teacher has a success rate with their students that matches your goals

It is important that your teacher can help your achieve your goals.  For example, If your goals is to play piano for a church make sure your teacher has a history of teaching their students how to achieve this.  



For more tips on choosing the right piano teacher in the Chicago area click Here




 


]]> Fri, 22 Jul 2011 03:30:00 GMT B262EC7D70EC5E22362E35C6C997C619 New Location For Chicago Piano Lessons http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm?feature=255281&postid=1093913 &nbsp;Hey Friends, &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Just a quick note. &nbsp;I have moved my Chicago Piano Lessons Studio to the Old Irving Neighborhood in Chicago. &nbsp; I am super excited by the new studio set up. &nbsp;It really is a dream come true. &nbsp; The piano studio is still easily accesible by the Blue Line and 90/94. &nbsp;I look forward to continuing to offer the highest quality piano lessons in my new spot. &nbsp;Thanks!      Just a quick note.  I have moved my Chicago Piano Lessons Studio to the Old Irving Neighborhood in Chicago.   I am super excited by the new studio set up.  It really is a dream come true.   The piano studio is still easily accesible by the Blue Line and 90/94.  I look forward to continuing to offer the highest quality piano lessons in my new spot.  Thanks!]]> Sun, 10 Jul 2011 04:55:00 GMT 3D8FBB3A54B506F276AA81AC0244009B Finding A Way To Communicate Your Message Through The Arts http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm?feature=255281&postid=967854 I just watched this really great video by conductor and pianist Benjamin Zander. &nbsp; We need more people like Benjamin Zander who have the rare ability to be able to communicate through their playing and their words. &nbsp;Music as an artform would be in much better place if we had more people with his skills. &nbsp;
]]> Fri, 13 May 2011 11:10:49 GMT AD745786DB343A1103E647924B2D21FE Mr. Barry Harris: A force to reckon with http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm?feature=255281&postid=953504 <a target="_new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Harris">Barry Harris is one of my heros. &nbsp;Not only is he just a truly phenomenal piano player but he was also one of the first jazz educators ever. &nbsp;Barry is 81 years old and still teaching in NYC. &nbsp;His love and commitment for helping others learn music is second to none. &nbsp;Thank you Barry for your inspiration. Barry Harris is one of my heros.  Not only is he just a truly phenomenal piano player but he was also one of the first jazz educators ever.  Barry is 81 years old and still teaching in NYC.  His love and commitment for helping others learn music is second to none.  Thank you Barry for your inspiration.]]> Fri, 06 May 2011 14:15:00 GMT C4B006D04D47EEF4A6C546DBE2C3291B Learn Some Otis Spann Licks http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm?feature=255281&postid=916955 Here is a very cool video I just found. &nbsp;It's of Otis Spann playing his &quot;Spann's Blues&quot;. &nbsp; There are some phenomenal blues licks in this video and the first chorus is a close up of his hands. &nbsp;Spend some time learning these blues licks my friends. &nbsp;Otis Spann was perhaps the greatest Chicago Blues Piano Player of all time. &nbsp;Enjoy!

]]> Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:12:07 GMT 3DBC24778529C909784892DA7CCFCC69 Thoughts On Becoming An Expert Piano Player http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm?feature=255281&postid=895286 I&rsquo;ve always believed people have unlimited potential for learning music. If they put the time in to really develop themselves anything is possible. For years I&rsquo;ve conquered limitations within my own musical development and have helped my piano students consistently do the same for themselves. The problem that comes in is that most people aren't focused enough to actually put in time consistently for the long haul. So, instead of actually exploring their own talent deeply and completely they'll take the easy path. They'll &quot;practice&quot; or at least try to play their instrument for a few months. Of course most of this time is unfocused and unstructured. After they run into they're first plateau they immediately feel like they have found their final stopping point. They'll say things like, &quot; I just don't have it&quot; or &quot; I don't have any talent&quot; or &quot;that person is just born with it and I'm not&quot; or &quot;I'm just not a natural&quot;. Becoming an expert at an instrument is really about finding ways to navigate past plateaus in your development. This process repeats itself over and over and that's where the real talent and skill is built. The pyschologist <a target="_new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K._Anders_Ericsson">K. Anders Erricson has done some amazing research into the field of expertise. One of Erricson&rsquo;s main points is that it takes 10,000 hours of study to become a true master or virtuoso at a skill. The vast majority of people I encounter who limit their own potential haven't even put in 500 hours of study yet. How can you make such a broad generalizations of human potential if you've not put in anywhere near the time necessary for deep skill building?
I’ve always believed people have unlimited potential for learning music. If they put the time in to really develop themselves anything is possible. For years I’ve conquered limitations within my own musical development and have helped my piano students consistently do the same for themselves.

The problem that comes in is that most people aren't focused enough to actually put in time consistently for the long haul. So, instead of actually exploring their own talent deeply and completely they'll take the easy path. They'll "practice" or at least try to play their instrument for a few months. Of course most of this time is unfocused and unstructured. After they run into they're first plateau they immediately feel like they have found their final stopping point. They'll say things like, " I just don't have it" or " I don't have any talent" or "that person is just born with it and I'm not" or "I'm just not a natural".

Becoming an expert at an instrument is really about finding ways to navigate past plateaus in your development. This process repeats itself over and over and that's where the real talent and skill is built. The pyschologist K. Anders Erricson has done some amazing research into the field of expertise. One of Erricson’s main points is that it takes 10,000 hours of study to become a true master or virtuoso at a skill. The vast majority of people I encounter who limit their own potential haven't even put in 500 hours of study yet. How can you make such a broad generalizations of human potential if you've not put in anywhere near the time necessary for deep skill building?]]> Sun, 10 Apr 2011 01:30:00 GMT 1B7AF251B2323BBB5BBE375ADB5A34DF Awesome jazz singing and scatting.... http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm?feature=255281&postid=891330 &nbsp;This brought me such joy when I listened to this. I have to share it with you guys. Here's a video of Ella Fitzgerald and Mel Torme scatting together at the Grammy's in 1976. This is some of the most awesome scatting I've ever heard. Two of the greatest jazz singers of all time bringing the house down. Enjoy!



]]> Fri, 08 Apr 2011 03:10:00 GMT 2DD977CBBC02AAAF5A537E4D068E5B81 Stella By Starlight Transcription http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm?feature=255281&postid=886023 I'm going to start posting some jazz solos that I've transcribed. &nbsp; Here's&nbsp;Ulf Wakenius' solo on &quot;Stella By Starlight&quot;. &nbsp;This is off Ray Brown's album &quot;Seven Steps To Heaven&quot;. &nbsp; Enjoy! <a target="_new" href="./files/Stella-By-Starlight-Transcription.pdf"> Click here for solo&nbsp;
Click here for solo ]]> Wed, 06 Apr 2011 03:25:00 GMT 132BBAD0B189D9C0D0F722FAA12AA513 Dealing With Stage Fright At A Recital Or Gig. http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm?feature=255281&postid=617411 Do you get nervous before you perform?&nbsp; Have you avoided any opportunities to perform for fear of making mistakes in public?&nbsp; You're not alone.&nbsp; Fortunately, there are some really effective strategies to overcome your fear of playing in front of an audience.&nbsp; When practiced properly performance becomes a true pleasure. Playing at a recital becomes much easier if you practice the art of performing. One way to practice performing is to do it in an incremental way. You can actually study peformance in a strategic fashion. Here are just a few of the things I suggest my students do before their recitals. 1. Perform for at least 5 separate people before the recital date. 2. Develop a consistent pre performance ritual (like athletes do) to help bring about focus, clarity, and stable emotions 3. Record themselves at least 3x before the recital. 4. Play their pieces on at least 3 separate pianos. Essentially, you're getting comfortable with the unique emotions that arise during performance. Just remember the lesson and the practice room is the laboratory. The performance is the real thing. It's the such an amazing way to grow your skills and your art.
Playing at a recital becomes much easier if you practice the art of performing. One way to practice performing is to do it in an incremental way. You can actually study peformance in a strategic fashion. Here are just a few of the things I suggest my students do before their recitals.


1. Perform for at least 5 separate people before the recital date.
2. Develop a consistent pre performance ritual (like athletes do) to help bring about focus, clarity, and stable emotions
3. Record themselves at least 3x before the recital.
4. Play their pieces on at least 3 separate pianos.

Essentially, you're getting comfortable with the unique emotions that arise during performance.

Just remember the lesson and the practice room is the laboratory. The performance is the real thing. It's the such an amazing way to grow your skills and your art.
]]> Sat, 04 Dec 2010 14:40:26 GMT AA0B5093BEBF6BF37D8D7EBB2292CAF4 New Music Career Mentoring Program Almost in Place http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm?feature=255281&postid=480460 This has been a really crazy, stressful, interesting few weeks. In addition to maintaining a really intense gigging schedule recently, my behind-the-scenes team has been working day and night to put together my new Music Career Mentoring program. It&rsquo;s an exciting new step for all the people who are part of my team. I&rsquo;m going to be able to offer my elite level career mentoring as part of a fully planned-out program that I&rsquo;m ready to implement. It&rsquo;s been the natural next step for me. I&rsquo;m really enjoying helping talented musicians with their careers, and I love the idea of working with musicians to get them to their next career level. It&rsquo;s amazing to give someone some of the insights I&rsquo;ve received over the years, and watch them use it to their advantage. I really think this is a big part of my calling, and I&rsquo;m glad to be able to make it work for so many amazing students. I&rsquo;m ready to bring more people to their success, and am looking forward to all the opportunities the new site brings. So stay tuned! This is going to be a really action-filled next two weeks. I&rsquo;ll be announcing my new site and doing some formal press releases next week once everything is in place. I would love your feedback on what we&rsquo;re currently doing, and am looking forward to sharing music career mentoring with anyone who&rsquo;s interested - even some seasoned folks out there who are looking to improve on their existing methods.


It’s an exciting new step for all the people who are part of my team. I’m going to be able to offer my elite level career mentoring as part of a fully planned-out program that I’m ready to implement.



It’s been the natural next step for me. I’m really enjoying helping talented musicians with their careers, and I love the idea of working with musicians to get them to their next career level. It’s amazing to give someone some of the insights I’ve received over the years, and watch them use it to their advantage.



I really think this is a big part of my calling, and I’m glad to be able to make it work for so many amazing students. I’m ready to bring more people to their success, and am looking forward to all the opportunities the new site brings.

So stay tuned! This is going to be a really action-filled next two weeks. I’ll be announcing my new site and doing some formal press releases next week once everything is in place. I would love your feedback on what we’re currently doing, and am looking forward to sharing music career mentoring with anyone who’s interested - even some seasoned folks out there who are looking to improve on their existing methods.



]]> Tue, 05 Oct 2010 21:10:14 GMT D16DD058BF855F0920A9AF98CB246F8D GUEST POST: Karate-Chop Your Music and Your Life http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm?feature=255281&postid=454878 The following is a guest post by Mark Powers. Mark is a world percussionist and world traveler who blogs for creative-types at <a href="http://www.powerspercussion.com" target="_new">PowersPercussion.com. In addition to performing and teaching, Mark has released <a href="http://www.powerspercussion.com/products" target="_new">Ritimista, a world percussion play-along CD and is former co-holder of the Guinness World Record for Longest Drum Roll by a Group. I don&rsquo;t know that <a href="http://jameswingwoo.com/2000/12/01/brief-history/" target="_new">James Wing Woo has ever strummed a guitar or tapped a drum. But I do know that the legendary Kenpo Karate Master (who turns 88 years old next week) has often spoken words that can prove valuable to all of us, in both musical and non-musical areas of our lives. Let&rsquo;s begin by meditating on this simple, yet powerful, gem: <a href="http://stevenixonmusic.blogspot.com/2010/09/guest-post-karate-chop-your-music-and.html" target="_new">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE! The following is a guest post by Mark Powers. Mark is a world percussionist and world traveler who blogs for creative-types at PowersPercussion.com. In addition to performing and teaching, Mark has released Ritimista, a world percussion play-along CD and is former co-holder of the Guinness World Record for Longest Drum Roll by a Group.


I don’t know that James Wing Woo has ever strummed a guitar or tapped a drum. But I do know that the legendary Kenpo Karate Master (who turns 88 years old next week) has often spoken words that can prove valuable to all of us, in both musical and non-musical areas of our lives. Let’s begin by meditating on this simple, yet powerful, gem:

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!

]]> Tue, 21 Sep 2010 06:21:33 GMT D7718FA2EF9C600F98A97A6C227AAB47 Music Career Longevity http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm?feature=255281&postid=449626 Many people make the mistake of stopping their search for music work once their students or gigs reach their peak. Even if you have enough income coming in, it can&rsquo;t hurt to continue trying to expand your music work for the future. The business side of music never stops and growth is essential. Think of your music career as a flower. Even if your flower is in full bloom you must continue to water it every day. No matter how beautiful the flower currently may be if you don&rsquo;t water it consistently it will wither away and die. You must apply the same approach to your music business. Work to nurture your relationships and expand your music business reach and connections on a daily basis. <a href="http://stevenixonmusic.blogspot.com/2010/09/ready-to-go-full-time-with-music.html">Click Here to Read More! Many people make the mistake of stopping their search for music work once their students or gigs reach their peak. Even if you have enough income coming in, it can’t hurt to continue trying to expand your music work for the future. The business side of music never stops and growth is essential.

Think of your music career as a flower. Even if your flower is in full bloom you must continue to water it every day. No matter how beautiful the flower currently may be if you don’t water it consistently it will wither away and die.

You must apply the same approach to your music business. Work to nurture your relationships and expand your music business reach and connections on a daily basis.


Click Here to Read More!

]]> Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:15:00 GMT BB5CD4FF557F66916B93D9F2BC19ACBA Learning Left Hand Blues Patterns http://stevenixonmusic.net/blog.cfm?feature=255281&postid=432359 I am going to spend the next few weeks discussing some of the left hand blues piano patterns I teach in <a href="http://www.stevenixonmusic.net/learnbluesdvd.cfm">my new piano blues DVD. The first pattern I discuss in my video is just a simple quarter note boogie woogie pattern. It's a great pattern to play in both rock and blues settings. Simple and really effective. <a href="http://stevenixonmusic.blogspot.com/2010/09/left-hand-blues-patterns.html">Click Here to Read More my new piano blues DVD. The first pattern I discuss in my video is just a simple quarter note boogie woogie pattern. It's a great pattern to play in both rock and blues settings. Simple and really effective.


Click Here to Read More
]]> Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:00:43 GMT 131A4B03209F03F4077FE1B09F4B5B83