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Synopsis
In this groundbreaking book, noted educator William Westney helps readers discover their own path to the natural, transcendent fulfilment of making music. Drawing on experience, psychological insight, and wisdom ancient and modern, Westney shows how to trust yourself and set your own musicality free. Practicing, in the author's view is a lively, honest, adventurous, and spiritually rewarding enterprise, and it can be met with daily success, which empowers us to grow even more. Teachers, professionals, and students of any instrument will benefit from this unique guide.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Written in pleasant, though somewhat erudite prose, it takes a little time to get going. The writer does, however, provide insights into conventional attitudes to practice, and makes clear suggestions as to how these might be changed. The reader can take them away and try them out as they practice. It does help a more discerning approach to coping with those troublesome passages which never seem to go quite right. A book for the interested player/performer rather than the casual reader.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I found this a very instructive and useful book, apart from being
well written and interesting.
well written and interesting.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
23 reviews
72 of 76 people found the following review helpful
Groundbreaking and Hope Filled Work
2 July 2005
Format:Hardcover
I am a professional musician, a retired piano teacher of 25 years. In October of 2004, I produced my first cd of pre-Baroque pieces into an album called, "Carry the Light." Recently, I found out about "The Perfect Wrong Note" by William Westney from a friend. The book is stunning, progressive and suffice it to say, it will rub some traditionalist the wrong way. Westney totally challenges traditional teaching methods and rightly so. There is a revealing "Question and Answer" section in the book on pp. 95-97 which provides an astute summary of Westney's teaching philosophy. I found the following Q and A challenging to some very traditionalist teachings on using the metronome; "Is it a good idea to use a metronome?" Westney's replies, "Only for short periods, as a check of tempo consistency. If we use it too much we become passive slaves to it, and our inner rhythm stays dormant." Westney emphasizes that playing the piano is a "whole body, whole brain" experience. In terms of Westney's approach being a "feel good" philosophy, nothing could be further from the truth. When asked (p. 97), "Can your approach be simply stated as, "Just don't fret about wrong notes, after all nobody's perfect.?" Westney's response is clearly direct; "No. This isn't a feel good philosophy: it's a pragmatic problem-solving plan along the road to artistry. Control, accuracy, and refinement are still the goals." Westney takes a groundbreaking approach to teaching piano without killing the hope and aspirations of the student. That is to be herald and this work will be deeply respected by teachers willing to take on new and exciting challenges that take heed to an important ethos Westney holds for anyone practicing the piano. "As you practice sense that you are taking care of yourself at every moment. Expect musical performing to be fun and feel good. Question any part of it that doesn't feel that way. Think of yourself as a healty athlete. Relax frequently and take stock." (p.227) I can't think of any performing philosophy that is more hope filled than that.
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
"Juicy Mistakes"
27 May 2004
Format:Hardcover
I found Westney's book amazingly confirming. His concept of "juicy mistakes" is a brilliant suggestion to accept that you'll make mistakes -- go ahead and make them!...but learn all there is to learn from them! (advice for life, not just music) This is a book for your senses and your brain -- a must read for any music lover.
32 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Amazing ... and Healing
22 Mar 2006
Format:Hardcover
I had a difficult time reading this, only because the content was so close to my own life/story. I could've sworn that William was writing about ME, and I relived many things that I didn't realize this book would create the avenue to surface. Fortunately, this book has helped me to begin to heal old, deep, and hidden grievances that have kept me from being the musical self that my soul longs and deserves to be ... until now.
What a great way to address a very real issue. What a great way for me to finally resolve my childhood rejections of not being allowed to express myself at the very time I was creating my musical self.
Thank you, William. I can now forgive and begin new again, this time without fear of repercussion in expressing what is in my heart and my soul, even if I'm the only one that appreciates it!
What a great way to address a very real issue. What a great way for me to finally resolve my childhood rejections of not being allowed to express myself at the very time I was creating my musical self.
Thank you, William. I can now forgive and begin new again, this time without fear of repercussion in expressing what is in my heart and my soul, even if I'm the only one that appreciates it!
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