Surprise like no other!

This buy was a shot in the dark. Never heard of Victor or this book. My expectations were very low. But I needed to motivate myself as I could not bring myself to practising my guitar. So I gave this one a try and Lord ... whata a find. I love how the words are backed by music in the background (although I find Mike's performance irritatingly overacted) and I can't get enough of the content. Music as mystery and invisible mighty force. No phony stuff and cheap superficial spiritualism (at least to my mind). That's what you will find there.

35 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Zen Bass

Any additional comments?

This is similar to the books 'Zen Guitar' and 'Effortless Mastery', except it focuses on a bass player instead of a guitar player. Another differentiator is that this audio book is punctuated with great music. (Except for the musical subvocalizations when 'Music' is speaking, which are really distracting). The stories are fantastical on purpose - he is trying to illustrate and emphasize his points about music (and life). The strictly literal minded will probably not like this book. Ditto for people who think "notes" are the end-all and be-all of music. Ditto for the people who only like one style of music and hold all other forms of musical expression in disdain. I think this book should be nearly required listening for all musicians. I've listened to it 3 times now. It is great.

27 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

20 years too late

Truthfully, it's right on time. I think the book should have been called 'The Lesson'. Although Wooten presents this is a dialogue primarily about music between teacher and student, the concepts are equally transferable to any subject. Reminiscent of 'Zen and the Art of Archery'.

21 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Even better than the book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I read the book and enjoyed it immensely. The thing that I liked about it is that it brought the dialogue to life. Having an ensemble cast really added to the content.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Music Lesson?

The first time that I heard him play and demonstrate the concept that the book was talking about. Great stuff.

Which character – as performed by Victor L. Wooten – was your favorite?

Michael

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Any additional comments?

It was definitely entertaining. I'll listen to it again and again!

8 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Great Fun if You are Open to It

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend it to friends that are open to ZEN, Learning, or Music. This type of fiction adventure to share mystical concepts, which can be helpful or even important life lessons, can be very powerful for those who are ready for them and can be a serious turn off for those not ready. It isn't something I could recommend without knowing the other person well.

What other book might you compare The Music Lesson to and why?

Way of the Peace Warrior by Millman. The Music Lesson is much more light hearted and uses the learning of Music as its focus. But both books use adventures with a mystical "teacher" to lead the "student" on a journey of learning.

Any additional comments?

Listening to this story with friends that don't quite get it but are open can lead to interesting discussions. Just remember to be kind and loving with your friends. Let them pick up what they can use and don't push anything they can't handle.

5 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Deeply Profound

There is an old saying, "When the student is ready, the master will appear." That's how this book is setup, with the author's teacher showing up to teach a professional bass player how to play music, and that's how this book found its way to me. It was the right message at the right time, and there is simply not enough I can say about it that will sing its praises properly.

There are a great many self-help books out there, just as there are a great many musical instruction books and books on fundamental spirituality. This book is all three at once - a masterpiece in its own right - and so much more. Sometimes for a message that's always been with us to be heard properly is for it to be presented in a new way, providing that shift in focus that clicks everything into place. Being musically inclined, that's precisely what this audiobook did for me.

As a narrator, Wooten is superb. He tells the story in such a way that we are learning right along with him at the feet of a teacher who will show us "nothing." Indeed, that's the whole message of the story, that we already know everything we need to know. From another person, this message might seem unbelievable or completely trite, but Wooten's tale makes you believe it. If I have one regret about this book, it's that it sat in my wish list for far too long... but then, perhaps I wasn't ready for it until now.

10 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Great creativity and inspiration for musicians

This audiobook is pure joy to listen to, and the production is totally amazing. It is addressed to musicians in particular, and it is of great inspiration and depth.
A full five stars.

10 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Very interesting

This book is written in the form of a parable. The narrator is visited by a mystic teacher that guides him through learning ten of the elements that are a part of music. If you are forgiving of an occasional insult to your intelligence and are patient with the length of time it takes to make a point, then you can get a lot out of this book. The good outweighs the bad. As a bonus, the music that is sprinkled in is fantastic. I Really enjoyed it.

This is a good listen for musicians of any instrument regardless of aptitude or experience. It serves as a reminder of what is important about music.

4 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Uplifting and Inspiring

Would you consider the audio edition of The Music Lesson to be better than the print version?

Havent read the print version but hearing Victor Wooten read is great.

What did you like best about this story?

Hearing Victors songs in the background and during chapter transitions

Which scene was your favorite?

Listening to the lady with her crystal ball talk about the number 0

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When he talks about Music as an entity not just something produced by humans

Any additional comments?

A must read for aspiring musicians

8 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

A must for music lovers

A entertaining book that weaves perspective and philosophy into an engaging story.
The Music Lesson offer unique insights from one of the world's most talented musicians.

12 personnes ont trouvé cela utile