Book & CD Edition - Paperback book and CD set. Effortless Mastery: Liberating the Master Musician Within is a book for any musician who finds themselves having reached a plateau in their development. Werner, a masterful jazz pianist in his own right, uses his own life story and experiences to explore the barriers to creativity and mastery of music, and in the process reveals that "Mastery is available to everyone," providing practical, detailed ways to move towards greater confidence and proficiency in any endeavor. While Werner is a musician, the concepts presented are for every profession or life-style where there is a need for free-flowing, effortless thinking. Book also includes an audio CD of meditations narrated by Kenny to help the musician reach a place of relaxed focus.
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108 of 109 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am only about 3/4s through this book, and I couldn't be more enthusiastic. I happen to love Kenny Werner's piano playing--always heard him and thought "Well, I'll never sound like THAT!"-- only to read his book and have him address this very attitude with unbelievable accuracy. I've already changed the way that I practice my instruments, and I just put some of his approach to work in a 3 day recording session with some players that I admire very much. While I had couple of brief self-doubt meltdowns, the whole experience was so much easier than I had even hoped for, and yes, even "effortless" at times. I know that changing my perspective, and my expectations made a huge difference in my ability to enjoy the moment, and as a result, the music that came forth. I am recommending this book for anyone who has ever played a musical instrument--at ANY level--and stopped, even if it was a long time ago. This book explains what might have gotten in your way of the music-making experience. I also want to recommend it to those of us who play professionally but are either frustrated with our own progress or just not enjoying it as much as we did when we were young. There's no reason music can't be that fun again.
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a truly a great book...it indentifies, and deconstructs fear and inadequacy in the realm of music performance...Werner explains the many reasons why musicians do not play up to their potential...he offers a direct access to applied musical experience and virtuosity by way of 1.) establishing a new rapport with the music/ instrument <THE SPACE> 2).honest self-realization (getting rid of the need to sound good, the necessity of being detached, so that "...we can be honest without becoming depressed". 3). New practice techniques <THE FIVE MINUTE TECHNIQUE> 4).Affirmations <MUSIC IS EASY/THERE ARE NO WRONG NOTES/EVERY NOTE I PLAY IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SOUND I HAVE EVER HEARD, I AM GREAT, I AM A MASTER, and a bonus CD, which is a guided meditation of all of the above. He talks about the "Monk Principle", and facilitates shifts in thinking, like, MUSIC IS NOT HARD, JUST UNFAMILIAR. He has many inciteful suggestions, "Mimic Playing", and "PLAYING FAST" to name a couple, all of which are designed to "rewire" the way we view ourselves. In short, he shows us how to give ourselves permission to be great musicians. Add this book to your regime, and I guarantee, you'll be cookin'! Thanks Kenny!
50 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've heard a lot about Mr. Werner's Effortless Mastery title. In fact, I know a band whose two primary musicians constantly bicker about whether this "effortless" approach is viable. After years of hearing about it, I decided to find out for myself.
The book starts out with one basic premise: you are an aspiring, practicing musician, looking to "break through" to higher grounds of playing. Many people are at this stage, but have a fear of unfamiliar musical territory. The bulk of this book is dedicated to removing this fear.
Werner's approach to doing so is by breaking down negative programming that's been beaten into aspiring musicians worldwide throughout their music careers. Some have a fear that's instilled by their teachers, who constantly tell them they're not good enough, not perfect enough, not smooth enough. Others have this fear imbued by "great" musicians - those who seem to push the boundaries and perform inhuman feats on their instrument. According to Mr. Werner, all this negative programming eventually becomes an insurmountable barrier for advancement - unless it is reversed and positive programming is imposed on the musician. Who will impose this programming? Most likely, it will be the musician himself.
Again, the basic premise comes into play: you must work on your technique, learn new music, and address your weaknesses. That is a given, and there is no way around it. However, you must also have a positive outlook while doing so - otherwise all the imperfections you've ironed out during practice will come back to haunt you in performance.
Some of the initial chapters reveal in great depth Mr. Werner's personal experience. In his younger years, he went through all the negative programming himself, and has learned (and continues learning) how to reverse it. It is from the standpoint of this experience that he approaches the subject-matter.
Through gradual guidance in the later chapters (and the three meditations on the included CD), Mr. Werner tries to help the student create a personal space, in which the student is master. By revisiting this space and learning to practice and perform from within this space, the student will become the master and reveal his inner voice. Don't expect to become an overnight master effortlessly, however: Werner suggests that learning to play from within the space will require relearning the instrument from scratch. This is a slow process at the beginning, but becomes natural as time goes by.
Unfortunately for many, a lot of the points made in this book are self-evident, or at least should be. Nonetheless, his encouraging tone instills the belief that mastery is possible. In the end, the student will hopefully realize that mastery is, by definition, effortless.
Some sections of this book are specific to particular instruments. Werner is a pianist, so quite a few examples are piano-related; he also talks about some other common jazz instruments, notably wind and brass. To my dismay, the guitar isn't mentioned, but the general pointers in the book allow this approach to be taylored to any instrument, and even to activities beyond music and arts in general.
The book starts out with one basic premise: you are an aspiring, practicing musician, looking to "break through" to higher grounds of playing. Many people are at this stage, but have a fear of unfamiliar musical territory. The bulk of this book is dedicated to removing this fear.
Werner's approach to doing so is by breaking down negative programming that's been beaten into aspiring musicians worldwide throughout their music careers. Some have a fear that's instilled by their teachers, who constantly tell them they're not good enough, not perfect enough, not smooth enough. Others have this fear imbued by "great" musicians - those who seem to push the boundaries and perform inhuman feats on their instrument. According to Mr. Werner, all this negative programming eventually becomes an insurmountable barrier for advancement - unless it is reversed and positive programming is imposed on the musician. Who will impose this programming? Most likely, it will be the musician himself.
Again, the basic premise comes into play: you must work on your technique, learn new music, and address your weaknesses. That is a given, and there is no way around it. However, you must also have a positive outlook while doing so - otherwise all the imperfections you've ironed out during practice will come back to haunt you in performance.
Some of the initial chapters reveal in great depth Mr. Werner's personal experience. In his younger years, he went through all the negative programming himself, and has learned (and continues learning) how to reverse it. It is from the standpoint of this experience that he approaches the subject-matter.
Through gradual guidance in the later chapters (and the three meditations on the included CD), Mr. Werner tries to help the student create a personal space, in which the student is master. By revisiting this space and learning to practice and perform from within this space, the student will become the master and reveal his inner voice. Don't expect to become an overnight master effortlessly, however: Werner suggests that learning to play from within the space will require relearning the instrument from scratch. This is a slow process at the beginning, but becomes natural as time goes by.
Unfortunately for many, a lot of the points made in this book are self-evident, or at least should be. Nonetheless, his encouraging tone instills the belief that mastery is possible. In the end, the student will hopefully realize that mastery is, by definition, effortless.
Some sections of this book are specific to particular instruments. Werner is a pianist, so quite a few examples are piano-related; he also talks about some other common jazz instruments, notably wind and brass. To my dismay, the guitar isn't mentioned, but the general pointers in the book allow this approach to be taylored to any instrument, and even to activities beyond music and arts in general.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Unique and Needed Book on Living and Performing with the Gift of Music
Sometimes I go see musical performances and I leave knowing the performer really "gets it". The author of this book really gets it, and explains very beautifully what "it" is and... Read more
Published 16 days ago by G Ken Truitt
Very intersting
This book has some really interesting ideas about your mindset while playing your instrument. I think I would go as far as saying all musicians should read it... or at least MOST. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Leah
A new way to look at music and practicing
There was always such a wall between me and the masters. I figured I was inherently less talented and needed to practice eight hours/day (while practicing practically zero). Read more
Published 2 months ago by Misha
Promising
I just finish reading this book. I can relate to what the author says in many levels including being overwhelmed with my study materials and being intimidated with my musician... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Bill Evans
What great performing artists do to be able to inspire humanity
The truth found in this book is the reality and "how to" of all the great artists I have worked with, whether they are consciously aware of it or not. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Ney Mello
Effortless mastery
This is a refreshing look at performing and getting to a more spontaneous level of playing. I recommend it to anyone who is trying to improve improvising skills or performance... Read more
Published 7 months ago by F. Denson
Great Book - and I suggest a sequel
As everybody knows this book is great.
But I have been fortunate enough to have found another book, a sort of sequel, in a way an operational tool. Read more
But I have been fortunate enough to have found another book, a sort of sequel, in a way an operational tool. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Vanvitelli
unlike any approach to learning music
I asked my friend, Eric, about how does one find a good teacher. He said when you find out, let me know. He recommended this book. I got the CD too. It took me a year to open it. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Diana Renison
How to be peace filled musician
I came to studying music very late in life... at 59 to be exact. With no
hints of any musical aptitude before I laid my hand on an instrument,
in this case, the marimba. Read more
hints of any musical aptitude before I laid my hand on an instrument,
in this case, the marimba. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Marijane Mercer
Great book
This Book opened up the world of creative music and life for me. Every musician will be influenced by this where ever you are in the journey.
Published 16 months ago by mLuIsFiEc
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
There is an ocean. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
effortless space, effortless mastery, most beautiful sound Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Step Three, Inayat Khan, Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Step Four, Step Two, The Sufi Message, Zen In The Art Of Archery, Free Play, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Keith Jarrett, Madame Chaloff, Los Angeles, All the Things You Are, Art Tatum, Carnegie Hall, Vladimir Horowitz, Creative Arts Books, Dizzy Gillespie, Mildred Chase, Planet Drum, Robin Hood, Traditional Rhythms Of The Bata Drums New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
There is an ocean. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
effortless space, effortless mastery, most beautiful sound Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Step Three, Inayat Khan, Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Step Four, Step Two, The Sufi Message, Zen In The Art Of Archery, Free Play, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Keith Jarrett, Madame Chaloff, Los Angeles, All the Things You Are, Art Tatum, Carnegie Hall, Vladimir Horowitz, Creative Arts Books, Dizzy Gillespie, Mildred Chase, Planet Drum, Robin Hood, Traditional Rhythms Of The Bata Drums New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 16
books:
See all 16 books this book cites
4
books
cite this book:
- Sufi Message: Path of Initiation v. 10 by Hazrat Inayat Khan on 8 pages
- Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel on 6 pages
- Artists on Art: from the XIV to the XX Century by Robert Goldwater on page 43
- in Front Matter
- The Pickering Manuscript by William Blake on page 178
See all 16 books this book cites
- Mastering the Art of Performance: A Primer for Musicians by Stewart Gordon in Back Matter
- Getting Your Music Past the Fear by Don Richmond in Back Matter
- Jazz Singer's Handbook: The Artistry and Mastery of Singing Jazz (Book & CD) by Michele Weir in Back Matter
- Sound the Trumpet: How to Blow Your Own Horn by Jonathan Harnum on page 238
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