Just in case you are feeling like your art is a waste of time (much like I have been feeling lately), here is something to remind you never to give up.

I am not sure how many musicians know about Google books, but it is a very useful tool for musicians and composers alike. I started using it almost two years ago to aid in my musical studies. To put it simply you can search through countless books on composition technique and music theory just like you would a typical Google search. However the results are not always accessible for free. Most books that are still in print have a link that takes you to a purchase page. But here is the secret sauce, part of the Google Books project’s initiative was to scan older books from University libraries in an effort to preserve them and make them digitally available via online search.  Books that are outside the copyright window are available for full download in .pdf format. Read more

The above statement may seem to state the obvious and be unnecessary, particularly for a site dedicated to promoting  my music. However, through the course of my life there have been many times when I had to remind myself  of this  simple fact.  You see, I used to think that I had to be someone other than who I am to gain the respect of my peers and make a living for myself.  Even though I grew up in a family full of extremely talented musicians, I somehow  managed to grow up with the idea that I needed a “real” job.

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