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Interview with Bernd Moosmann

Short & Sweet: Interview with world famous bassoon manufacturer Bernd Moosmann.

His instruments are played in every league, including small amateur groups as well as the top philharmonic orchestras. Moosmann bassoons are also preferred soloists’ instruments.
Moosmann fans are found in over 60 countries and 5 continents.

Mr. Moosmann, we first met in Phoenix, Arizona at the IDRS conference. There I found out, that you are not only a well traveled, very successfull bassoon manufacturer, but also a person with an eye for the essentials of human nature.

– Is there something that outstanding musicians all over the world have in common?

Bernd Moosmann: They are very hard working, informal, not stressed and strong personalities.>>

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Confidence building is easy!

quote 5Having not much self-confidence is one of the biggest problems almost everybody has who makes music.
How can I say that solving such a huge issue is easy?

I can say this, because I am a real pro in this.
I had NO self-confidence whatsoever. I thought of myself as a total idiot, a complete failure and someone who will never be good at anything, no matter what I try.

Coming from a place like that, I know a lot about the subject matter.
And today I enjoy what I am doing and I kind of like my life how it is.>>

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Thanks for being me

quote 4Do you know the weird feeling that someone gives you praise and it makes you feeling BAD?
You look the other way and mumble: Oh, that was nothing, I just was lucky!

I know this situation first hand. I experienced this <constantly> until I suddenly realized: hej, that’s stupid!!!

I also experienced, that a lot of students get kind of embarassed, when they get praise after a concert. They feel awkward and make a funny face.
This on the other hand makes me question: Oh, did I say something wrong? Er… I just wanted to express honest appreciation…

When I thought about this strange phenomena, I came to the conclusion, that this is because praise can give pressure.
Pressure through expectation.
I did it fine this time – but will I succeed NEXT TIME as well?>>

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Anselmo plays Anselma

7-year old Anselmo Pietrosanti from Rome, Italy, plays Little Toccata IV by Anselma.

Listen to this, he is just amazing!!!

Bravissimo Anselmo!!! :o)))

I love that!!!! Thank you Anselmo!

If the video is not shown correcly, please use this link to watch:

Anselmo plays Anselma Toccata

 

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The Key to Excellence

pic tigerI recently read about the maybe most famous golfer of all times: Tiger Woods.
Tiger Woods’ sandplay is average, but his long drives are legendary.

What does he practice most? Where is his main focus in his training segments?
Does he concentrate on his “ok” sandplay or does he put the main training time into his already outstanding long drives?

What does it take to bring whatever skill from average to great?
Is it improving areas where you kind of suck or is it putting all your energy into an area where you are already good at?>>

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Fresh Perspective

quote1Loser thoughts (Part 2)

Being open is vital for learning. Old habits sometimes constipate our brain and make helpful changes difficult.

The biggest loser thought ever we already discussed in part one: This is too easy for me. I know that already.
– In other words: “Don’t waste my time, I am already much much more advanced.”

STOP! Really, are you so tremendously advanced?
Thomas Huxley said: “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.”>>

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Interview with Milan Turkovic

Foto: Kmetitsch

Short & Sweet: Interview with world known bassoon-soloist and conductor Milan Turkovic.

His inspiring art is documented by over 50 CDs and on more than 150 recordings with the Concentus Musicus, Wien. Countless contemporary compositions are dedicated to him and he is himself a famous author. His books are full of wisdom and fine humor.
Milan Turkovic is one of the eminent authorities in today’s musical world – but I am preaching to the choir, you know that already ;o)

When I told my parents that I want to play the bassoon, they did not quite know what that would be. But they knew your name… ;o) What is your secret in making music?>>

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Lose Boring

googleLoser Thoughts (Part 1)

Learning is great!
But sometimes it sucks.
Sometimes it’s quite hard to push through old habits or to stay focused. It’s so easy to get distracted and not follow through what you wanted to achieve.

This will help: free yourself from loser thoughts. We all have them from time to time.

The trick is to catch them and turn them around into a question. When you do that nobody can ever stop you.>>

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“I could not practice because I did not have time.”

take-timeOh boy, how often did your hear that? When you are like me you heard it about a million times and – uh… you also said it yourself here and there (and some more heres and theres) as well.

The truth is – and we all know it
if you want to do something you will make time,
if you do not want to do something you will make an excuse.

So start making one step back. What is your music making all about?
Why do you play the bassoon, tuning fork or washboard? Why did you first start it? What was your initial motivation?>>

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Be kind to yourself

lifeisshortMany times we do not have control over what is happening in our life. It just happens the way it does – whether we like it or not. No control.
But we do have control over how we react. We can always decide what our attitude is. How we see things and how we process them.

A great teacher once told me: “Don’t be dramatic – unless you are an actor and get payed for it.” This was maybe the best piece of advice I ever got.>>