The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music [Paperback]

Victor L. Wooten (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 1, 2008

From Grammy-winning musical icon and legendary bassist Victor L. Wooten comes The Music Lesson, the story of a struggling young musician who wanted music to be his life, and who wanted his life to be great. Then, from nowhere it seemed, a teacher arrived. Part musical genius, part philosopher, part eccentric wise man, the teacher would guide the young musician on a spiritual journey, and teach him that the gifts we get from music mirror those from life, and every movement, phrase, and chord has its own meaning...All you have to do is find the song inside.

Listen to "The Lesson" from Victor Wooten's, Palmystery, here.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"As music lessons go, this one is unique and can be enjoyed by both musicians and general listeners, especially those interested in the arts and creativity." ---AudioFile

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

About the Author

Victor L. Wooten has won five Grammy Awards and two Nashville Music Awards for Bassist of the Year, is the only three-time winner of Bass Player magazine's Bass Player of the Year, and is an original member of the Grammy Award-winning ensemble Bela Fleck & the Flecktones. Victor L. Wooten has won five Grammy Awards and two Nashville Music Awards for Bassist of the Year, is the only three-time winner of Bass Player magazine's Bass Player of the Year, and is an original member of the Grammy Award-winning ensemble Bela Fleck & the Flecktones.

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425220931
• ISBN-13: 978-0425220931
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (117 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,887 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Musical Genres > Religious & Sacred Music
  • #12 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Appreciation

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 55 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Magical Revelation of Music Herself April 10, 2008

By T. Ransom

Format:Paperback

Before you read this book, open your mind to the possibility that the universe may be very different from your version of reality. This is not a book about music theory or how to play the bass. It is a wonderful and playful revelation about the relationship between Music and your life. Both will change for the better if you are willing to leave behind what you already think you know.

Victor weaves an unbelievably believable tale which unites ideas about space, time, numbers, and nature into a new view of Music as a living, breathing being. Fans of Richard Bach and Tom Brown, Jr., will enjoy this new perspective on their work.

Frankly, music players who are uncomfortable away from the written page of music will be uncomfortable with this book. Improvisors of all kinds will know you have come home.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Creative Way to Say It May 29, 2008

By W. Dent VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I've read and reviewed a book by another musician, Kenny Werner, called 'Effortless Mastery'. Some of the things covered in that book are touched upon in Victor's book, The Music Lesson. However, I must say that Victor has certainly found a way to show us the intangibles of music while demystifying so much of what holds we musicians back from really playing. His treatise on music brings to the fore important elements not usually emphasized in a practicing musician's learning. I found the book to be extremely practical while completely engrossing. Victor's decided approach to the subject at hand is unique, clever, and enjoyable. Much like his character in the book (Victor Wooten), I can't remember the last time I had so much fun learning the 'abc's' of music and more to the point, life itself!

One last comment about the book which I am surprised no one else has mentioned (at least if they did I missed it), and that is the proximity of one Jaco Pastorius to the Michael character. I find myself wanting to ask, is Michael Jaco? I am amazed that that question doesn't seem to be answered at all in the book's pages (again, unless I missed it). Then again, maybe it is so obvious, it is I who am a fool for bringing it up.

Either way, I highly recommend this book for a really great read.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Practical Guide to Experiencing Music April 5, 2008

By Todd Flanders

Format:Paperback

I was a bit turned off by the sub-title. I have very little interest in the spiritual perspective of the world's greatest bass player.

I was grateful that I could read the first chapter online, which sets the tone for the entire book.

The Music Lesson is a fun, entertaining exploration of music from a fictional perspective. There are many important lessons and ideas about music in each chapter. Many of these lessons trigger more questions than answers, which is Victor's way of expressing the importance of self-discovery and "finding your own voice".

I was blessed to attend one of Victor's Bass / Nature camps, so I was able to experience Victor's approach to inspiring others to experience music. I learned to get past my academic background of music theory and explore music with the mind of a child.

I still recommend learning theory, but also recommend this book as a fun read and an opportunity to think of music in a refreshing light.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read for Serious Musicians April 30, 2010

By Lucas Clebsch

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I"m a professional musician. Been playing music for 24 years. This is perhaps the best book about music that I've ever read. If you want to get to a deeper level in your musicianship, read this book. Music is spiritual - that's inescapable. Are you keenly aware of this? Or do you think that's a lot of gobbly goop? Either way, read this book. If you want to understand the types of things that MASTERS of music meditate about music, read this book. I've bought this book 4 times for musician friends. I think it should be required reading for every jazz performance college curriculum in the nation. The best 10 or 20 buck you can spend on music education.

As a teacher, this book gave me a lot of revelation about methodological approach. I have some VERY excited and deeply appreciative students. I'm grateful to Victor Wooten for his influence on me!!!!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Nicely done but familiar... August 13, 2008

By E M Hall VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Victor Wooten writes well. He's a talented and spiritual musician who has the gift of being able to teach others through his music and words. The Music Lesson is not just about how to play the bass guitar or any other instrument, it is about the allowing of music that already exists and the attitude of spirit when creating that music. A wonderful analogy in the book likens the instrument as simply a medium for allowing the music that is already within you in the same way that a pen or computer allows words from within to be created and written onto paper. The pen is not the holder of the words, the writer is. The guitar is not the holder of the music, the player is...

I give four and half stars to this book because as I read I felt as though I had come across some aspects of the writing elsewhere in the past. When I read the acknowledgements page I saw that indeed, Mr Wooten had been inspired by Neal Donald Walsch's brilliant book, Conversations with God which I read many years ago. For someone who has not read Conversations with God, you will gain much from The Music Lesson.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Music Lesson Everyone Should Experience November 4, 2008

By Enigma Valdez

Format:Paperback

This book is truly worth the value. There are other comments about this book being "warmed over new age cliche", but Victor Wooten is a bassist and not a philosopher. This book is clearly intended for a wide range of people with varied backgrounds and belief systems.

This book is an easy read for anyone, high school kids, adults, musicians, virtuosos, fans, and so on.

I was very pleasantly surprised to find that Victor Wooten and I share many of the same spiritual values, but he also gives some valuable insight about musicianship.

For example, within the book you find the very reason why so many of us practice, practice and practice certain techniques for years and years but never really master them.

You'll discover the most important elements of Music that Music Theory leaves out and you'll learn the crucial elements to making any musician successful that is not taught in any school of music.

Victor also explains how some mediocre musicians are so successful and able to move the crowds. I've always thought that if I just learned to be the baddest player I would instantly be successful. That's not the case.

Don't let the simplicity of this book fool you, there are some very deep insights within the book that only come from many years of experience.

The book doesn't necessarily talk about anything new, but it does take you in another direction and can give you a new way of looking at things that you may not have had before. It can help you make those breakthroughs in your playing, practicing and performance.

It can even help you make breakthroughs in other areas of your life, because in reality, this whole universe is nothing but a symphonic of vibrations = Music.

Regards,
Enigma Valdez