100 Books - How to Grow as a Musician

One Hundred Books. This is a short list of 100 books I have read, listed here in no particular order.

How to Grow As a Musician by Sheila E. Anderson

This is a terrific little book with advice on becoming a better musician and expanding your experience, boundaries, and knowledge needed to improve your craft. Sheila E. Anderson comes to this writing with long experience as a host and producer of notable Jazz Music Television and Radio Programs, The Art of Jazz on MNN Television and Late Night Jazz on WBGO, Jazz 88.3 FM, as well as others. She is also the author of The Quotable Musician: From Bach to Tupac.

The book is a densely packed collection of advice and anecdotal stories from several great Jazz musicians, many of whom are well-known in jazz circles. Chapters cover many vital considerations for the musician wanting to grow and approach high performance and professionalism in the musical arts. Everything from developing as an artist to composing and recording, personal growth, putting on a concert, and dealing with business is discussed in detail. 

How to Grow as a Musician features quotes from interviews well worth considering by the upcoming artist as well as for the more experienced musician. The combined number of artists quoted here reflects various experiences and opinions. Take, for example, the question, "How Much Should I Practice?"  The responses were all over the map, with some regretting that they didn't practice more when they were first coming up, and others, well-known pros who said that they rarely practiced more than once a week just to be sure they were still in touch with their instrument. Many artists have had different experiences, but everyone pays their dues, one way or another.

The book is rich with comments and stories from many veteran players, and any reader can gain valuable advice for their experience level. The bottom line is to have a good attitude, be a good person, love the music, and honor your fellow musicians. Pay attention to details and respect the business and the contributions of others, and with a little focus and some concentrated effort, musical growth and some level of success can be assured.