How to Grow As a Musician: What All Musicians Must Know to Succeed.

* How To Grow As a Musician: What All Musicians Must Know to Succeed, by Sheila Anderson. Allworth Press (10 E. 23rd St., Ste. 510, New York, NY 10010), 2005. 256 pp. $19.95.

Admittedly, I am somewhat of a "personal growth" junkie, so I opened How to Grow as a Musician: What All Musicians Must Know to Succeed with great anticipation. After all, I sat in graduate school asking questions no one wanted to answer, "What are we going to do with these degrees?" "Who is going to help us get work?" "What work is even available for a person with a masters in music performance?" and: "Why doesn't anyone want to talk about these things?" I still think the silence that greeted my inquiries was criminal. Students need to be taught how to negotiate their career possibilities as much as they need to be taught how to do Schenkerian analysis. Maybe this book has the answers.

The author, Sheila Anderson, has a background hosting jazz programs for radio and television and How to Grow As a Musician reads as an extended interview of numerous musicians. Divided into chapters such as "Learning One's Craft," "Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Practice?" "How to Promote and Present Yourself," "When and How to Record" and "Survival 101: From Sideman to Leader," I wondered what nuggets of wisdom I, a classical pianist, would glean. While these chapters did not directly answer nay graduate school questions, the musicians interviewed (mainly jazz and popular musicians) had years of experience and survival skills and repeated the same advice: one has to work to improve one's craft; those who continuously work are those who are most generous and least territorial towards other musicians; the musicians who had the longest, richest careers were those who constantly tried to improve and grow; and non-musical elements mattered: show up on time, dress appropriately, be prepared.

These ideas may seem like common sense, but they still are worth repeating and revisiting. I may not worry about managers and recording contracts, but I know the wisdom that by simply working (regardless of the gig), often leads to more work. I have learned more about being a working musician by getting out there and doing it than I ever did in school. I know that showing up on time and knowing my music is usually worth more than any natural talent I may or may not possess. This book does not contain all the answers, but it does have some worthwhile advice. Reviewed by Amy Greer, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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