Music Is A Language:
Victor Wooten on Why That Is
and
- How To Practice





Yes, MUSIC IS A LANGUAGE.  How often have we said and heard that?  But in these videos, Victor Wooten brings new truth to that old familiar saying.

In the video below, Victor Wooten expands on this material and goes on to build the compelling case that, as music is a language, it is also a UNIVERSAL language.  And may even be the most effective vehicle to achieve World Peace.

Victor Wooten really slams this point home, but with supreme grace and sensibility - as befits a True Teacher [at 17:10].  But, he expands on all the points in the first video too.  So, do watch ALL of this:



I SO agree with the above.  Note the example of these three orchestras composed of Israelis, Arabs and others, who can and do ignore politics to play music together: The Polyphony FoundationThe Arab-Jewish Orchestra, and The West-Eastern-Divan Orchestra.

[Another point Victor Wooten addresses is: teaching music in the "spirit of play", there is one well-established methodology which employs this principle - The Orff Schulwerk.]

You can get into MORE of his ground-breaking ideas in his book: THE MUSIC LESSON - A SPIRITUAL SEARCH FOR GROWTH THROUGH MUSIC.



Music IS a language, and VICTOR WOOTEN is a true poet.

Though Victor Wooten is not a "writer". you can "read through" that to reach what he does have to say about the mental and spiritual aspects to and attitudes about playing music, and how to practice it.

These ideas are ingenious and quite enlightening. AND yes, a few practical strategies for actually improving one's technique are in those pages if that's what one is looking for. I counted about eleven substantive ideas which can be employed as 'exercises'.. I use them and they do bring a new mindfulness and freedom to ones approach to the instrument.

If you are familiar with KENNY WERNER'S work, then this should be familiar ground. But, you don't have to get into the "subjective" aspect of either of those if that's not to your taste. The "objective" examples in Victor Wooten's book of: how to use silence, the groove, etc., are enough to push your musicianship forward, big-time! Everything else is "gravy", and an entertaining read. What's not to like? ::))


And there are many, many other techniques, methods and teachers who are - thankfully - bringing music teaching out of the "NO! NO! NO!  You DUMMKOPH [blockhead] You are doing it WRONG!  And you will NEVER become a Great Artist!" era, a few of which I have presented on these pages.

So besides "music is a language", let's look at a few others:


Destroying the myth of: "Perfect pitch is something you are born with - If you don't have it, it can't be developed"

Here's another "myth-bust": "Creativity is elusive, and no one really knows how to acquire or develop it - Some have it and some don't." 

And another: "If it's not AGONIZINGLY BORING, then you aren't practicing.  So just use your hands only and get through it."


Well, if you've been around this site for a while, you know I've got a nice collection of "myth-busting" tools to help you in all aspects of music.  Reach out to me through my "contact me" page if you want the latest 'stuff'.

Let's Make Music Better!






And the accolades continue: David Grisman [above] uses "The Original" Cowling System:

Hand 

Strengthening Exercises for Musicians -


DOWNLOAD "THE ORIGINAL COWLING SYSTEM©" -- PDF "E-BOOK" - 70 pages [$22.50 via PAYPAL secure]


THE SOFTCOVER PHYSICAL BOOK IS BACK IN PRINT! - Available at Amazon.


And still more [actual and unsolicited] rave reviews for "The Original" Cowling System:

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FROM A VIOLINIST:

"The Cowling System © is a set of 12 exercises designed to increase the flexibility and strength of the hand, wrist, and fingers.

"I bought the course in 1978 and have found them to be invaluable.

"I've kept them all these years and still use them to warm up with before playing."

~ Richard Barton posted on VIOLINIST.COM

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FROM A BASS PLAYER:

?"My fingers actually DO what my brain tells them to do, WITHOUT getting confused."

~ Anthony Jerome Smith, 35-year veteran bass player.

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FROM A PIANIST:

"In 1976, my teacher gave me his copy of all the exercises, whereupon I made xeroxed pages to put in a binder.

"My teacher was amazed at my progress that in a year I could play, for example, the prelude #17 of Chopin!

~ "RPN58" (from a pianists' discussion board in England, 2006)

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FROM A GUITARIST:

"I was introduced to the Cowling System © in the 1980's by a violinist in his seventies, who had amazing dexterity on his instrument for HIS age.

"Through the use of the COWLING SYSTEM ©, I went from "amateur" to an "A" level in music in a very short number of years.

"I have been using the exercises continuously since my friend gave them to me and believe me - THEY WORK."

~ Don Wills Guitarist, Great Britain

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FROM A VIOLINIST:

"I must say I am highly delighted with the way my fingering has improved since I commenced your hand strengthening exercises.

"Recently, I became very depressed about my playing and almost decided to give it up, but now I feel it's a pleasure, thanks to the Cowling System. ©"

~ "THE VIOLINIST" Magazine, December, 1924


I'd love to see YOUR testimonial on this list! If you really do "THE ORIGINAL" COWLING SYSTEM © of Hand Strengthening Exercises", you CAN master and truly enjoy your music!


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