99 Master Secrets of Learning a Musical Instrument

The ultimate hands-on, step-by-step guide to learning the secrets, concepts, exercises, and tools for mastering your musical instrument.

Suitable for all instruments, all genres, and all levels, beginners to professional

From the Author, Martin Lass

Have you ever wondered how some professional instrumentalists seem to be so very relaxed when they play, even when they’re playing so fast that the instrument seems to be on fire? They’re totally into it with all their heart and soul, aren’t they? With no sign of nervousness! And talk about rhythm! And totally in tune! And how do they remember all those notes?

It’s inspiring to watch isn’t it?

I think we’ve all wished that we could play like this! It was always my dream as a boy to be able to play like the masters.

Well, I’ve been very fortunate in my life and in my music studies to have had some really great teachers—teachers like Lim Kek Tjiang, Robert Pikler, and Igor Hmelnitsky. And I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the greatest instrumentalists ever, like jazz trumpeter, James Morrison, popular guitarist, Tommy Emmanuel, smooth jazz guitarist, George Benson, popular pianist, Richard Clayderman, and classical violinist, Yehudi Menuhin.

As a result, I’m living my dream every time I get up on stage!

Now, I’m in the wonderful position to be able to share with you some of the secrets of the masters that I’ve been given over the years, which have allowed me to become the master instrumentalist that I’ve become.

Contents

1 – Important Stuff to Start With! (Core Concepts)

Learn specific master secrets that define the difference between an average player and a master instrumentalist.

2 – How to Play in a Relaxed Way

Learn master secrets that will help you relax and that will make playing anything and everything a breeze.

3 – How to Speed Up Your Playing

When the relaxation secrets from Chapter 2 are combined with the master secrets in this chapter, speed will no longer be an issue. You'll soon be playing like a wizard.

4 – How to Practice

Learn the master secrets of how to practice, step by step. Intelligent practice saves time, effort, and produces better results.

5 – How to Memorize

Memorizing is not a talent. Memorizing is a skill that can be learned by anybody when knowledge is combined with application.

6 – How to Overcome Nervousness

Learn exactly why you get nervous, what this is connected to, how this manifests in your mind, body, and emotions, and exactly how to deal with it.

7 – How to Play with Heart and Soul

Explore all the possible things that might be keeping you from playing with all your heart and soul. Learn tools, exercises, and processes to allow you to express yourself freely and openly in your music.

8 – How to Play in Time

Learn how to improve your sense of timing and your sense of the beat in your music. Teaser: The beat is already in your body.

9 – How to Play in Tune

Learn secrets and techniques to improve your sense of pitch. A good sense of pitch is not a gift or a talent; it’s a skill and can be acquired by applying the right techniques.

10 – The Power of Visualization Applied to Playing Your Instrument

Learn about the power of attention, intention, visualization, affirmation, meditation, and more and how these tools can be used to help you become a master instrumentalist.

Important Stuff to Finish With!

This final chapter has some important closing messages, bringing together everything that’s been covered in this book into a unified picture of you as a master instrumentalist.