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ISBN: 978-1562243234 Paperback 6 x 9 68 pages $10.95
Introduction by Dave Frank, Assoc. Prof. of Piano Study, Berklee College of Music
You are holding in your hands a most unusual book. A true modern-day samurai, a master practitioner of the art of the sword, has adapted the centuries-old principles of attaining excellence in the martial arts to show you how to become a master in the field of music. This book is a roadmap into the mastery process—it will outline the process, step-by-step, toward the dual goal of self-mastery and mastery of the art of musicianship and performance.
Drawing on the work of the legendary Japanese martial artist Miyamoto Musashi, you will learn, among many other things, the most effective way to develop the discipline needed to be a great musician, the way to approach a musical performance, the importance of tradition in developing your art, and, most importantly, the over-arching ATTITUDE of mastery that will empower you to reach your highest musical potential.
In this day and age, it is most rare to find an individual that has devoted his life to this process of dual mastery—over oneself and one’s art. Hanshi Steve Kaufman is the real deal! He lives what he teaches and continues to dedicate his life to refining the highest principles of discipline and performance within himself and to share his extensive wisdom with countless aspiring students worldwide.
If you dream of being a great musician, the principles outlined in this book can light your path so that you, a realized master of your art, can burst forth into the world as a blazing artistic fire!
Dave Frank
Author, Joy of Improvisation, Vol. 1+2 (Hal Leonard)
Assoc. Prof. of Piano, Berklee College of Music
Director, Dave Frank School of Jazz, NYC
Drawing on the work of the legendary Japanese martial artist Miyamoto Musashi, you will learn, among many other things, the most effective way to develop the discipline needed to be a great musician, the way to approach a musical performance, the importance of tradition in developing your art, and, most importantly, the over-arching ATTITUDE of mastery that will empower you to reach your highest musical potential.
In this day and age, it is most rare to find an individual that has devoted his life to this process of dual mastery—over oneself and one’s art. Hanshi Steve Kaufman is the real deal! He lives what he teaches and continues to dedicate his life to refining the highest principles of discipline and performance within himself and to share his extensive wisdom with countless aspiring students worldwide.
If you dream of being a great musician, the principles outlined in this book can light your path so that you, a realized master of your art, can burst forth into the world as a blazing artistic fire!
Dave Frank
Author, Joy of Improvisation, Vol. 1+2 (Hal Leonard)
Assoc. Prof. of Piano, Berklee College of Music
Director, Dave Frank School of Jazz, NYC
BOOK SAMPLES
Book of Earth
Discipline
If there is no discipline, how can there be a true realization of an ideal? How can a person be trusted to perform in society if there is no understanding of what society needs, what mastery of an art requires? To act in harmony with the environment of where you are, you must observe, understand, and practice with certain rules and their inherent needs. If you do not, then you will be unable to work in harmony with other people and devices. If you cannot work in harmony, how can you expect to attain perfection in your own ideal? How can you expect to ascend to new levels of being and musical innovation if you are not aware of current trends and past developments leading to what is presently acceptable or not? It is essential to know the rules of the game: which rules work, which rules do not work, and which rules can be changed to suit a particular need and, of changed rules, which will create additional problems and those that will not.
Book of Water
Contemplation of the Audience
It is wise to consider the audience that has gathered to hear your offering, the expression of which maintains the audience’s level of expectation. A musician must always play from the heart, regardless of genre or intent. The audience will know what their ears tell them and if the work you are presenting has been prepared, conscientiously or not. If you present a shoddy performance, the audience will sense that and not express pleasure in the manner you would desire in the form of applause and acknowledgement. That is why genuine standing ovations are rare, and when given as cursory congratulations, is meaningless. You will know when you have given your all to your performance and expressed the intent of the composer, who may not have thought of the audience. You are responsible to the music, the audience and, finally, yourself to perform as if this was the very last time you would ever have the opportunity to perform for anyone, anywhere, including yourself.
Book of Fire
Controlling the Audience with Proper Demeanor
Demeanor is the poise with which you present yourself, allowing your passion to shine. The audience will sense this when your self-control is conveyed during the presentation of your work. Demeanor also encompasses your dress, your posture, your mannerisms, and your necessary self-confidence, without which you are merely plucking at string, notes, or pushing valves.
Book of Wind
Focus and Fixation
Consider the difference between reality of devotion rather than obsession. To be focused means you are totally committed to your work and endeavor to control your personal development and growth. To be obsessed with something is to have no control over outcomes because you are subject to emotional whims at any given moment. Schools that demand you follow certain rules regardless of your own estimation are dangerously serious impediments to ascension. Forced to follow continuously changing rules will cause the “spirit of the thing itself” to constantly veer in its revelations and will cause additional confusion that will impede your development. Alternatively, focusing will permit direction and guidance of your intention in the most appropriate manner for the benefit of all concerned.
Book of No-Thing
No matter how intense and devoted your study, it is essential to become one with the art you pursue. If you do not become one with your art, you can never truly be one with the universe and the “spirit of the thing itself” will always elude you. You can play at studying for an eternity and nothing will emanate as excellence; things will never appear to be what they truly are. When you look at things without attachment, you will be at the place of oneness with understanding. The work is more important than the worker until they are both the same. When you come to see things in a broader perspective, taking no-thing as truth, you will see truth as no-thing.
Contemplation of the Audience
It is wise to consider the audience that has gathered to hear your offering, the expression of which maintains the audience’s level of expectation. A musician must always play from the heart, regardless of genre or intent. The audience will know what their ears tell them and if the work you are presenting has been prepared, conscientiously or not. If you present a shoddy performance, the audience will sense that and not express pleasure in the manner you would desire in the form of applause and acknowledgement. That is why genuine standing ovations are rare, and when given as cursory congratulations, is meaningless. You will know when you have given your all to your performance and expressed the intent of the composer, who may not have thought of the audience. You are responsible to the music, the audience and, finally, yourself to perform as if this was the very last time you would ever have the opportunity to perform for anyone, anywhere, including yourself.
Book of Fire
Controlling the Audience with Proper Demeanor
Demeanor is the poise with which you present yourself, allowing your passion to shine. The audience will sense this when your self-control is conveyed during the presentation of your work. Demeanor also encompasses your dress, your posture, your mannerisms, and your necessary self-confidence, without which you are merely plucking at string, notes, or pushing valves.
Book of Wind
Focus and Fixation
Consider the difference between reality of devotion rather than obsession. To be focused means you are totally committed to your work and endeavor to control your personal development and growth. To be obsessed with something is to have no control over outcomes because you are subject to emotional whims at any given moment. Schools that demand you follow certain rules regardless of your own estimation are dangerously serious impediments to ascension. Forced to follow continuously changing rules will cause the “spirit of the thing itself” to constantly veer in its revelations and will cause additional confusion that will impede your development. Alternatively, focusing will permit direction and guidance of your intention in the most appropriate manner for the benefit of all concerned.
Book of No-Thing
No matter how intense and devoted your study, it is essential to become one with the art you pursue. If you do not become one with your art, you can never truly be one with the universe and the “spirit of the thing itself” will always elude you. You can play at studying for an eternity and nothing will emanate as excellence; things will never appear to be what they truly are. When you look at things without attachment, you will be at the place of oneness with understanding. The work is more important than the worker until they are both the same. When you come to see things in a broader perspective, taking no-thing as truth, you will see truth as no-thing.
