HomeBooksMusicThe Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music |
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49 of 54 found the following review helpful:
 A Magical Revelation of Music Herself Apr 10, 2008
By T. Ransom
"BanjoFreak"
Before you read this book, open your mind to the possibility that the universe may be very different from your version of reality. This is not a book about music theory or how to play the bass. It is a wonderful and playful revelation about the relationship between Music and your life. Both will change for the better if you are willing to leave behind what you already think you know.
Victor weaves an unbelievably believable tale which unites ideas about space, time, numbers, and nature into a new view of Music as a living, breathing being. Fans of Richard Bach and Tom Brown, Jr., will enjoy this new perspective on their work.
Frankly, music players who are uncomfortable away from the written page of music will be uncomfortable with this book. Improvisors of all kinds will know you have come home.
26 of 28 found the following review helpful:
A Very Creative Way to Say It May 29, 2008
By W. Dent
"Life Lover"
I've read and reviewed a book by another musician, Kenny Werner, called 'Effortless Mastery'. Some of the things covered in that book are touched upon in Victor's book, The Music Lesson. However, I must say that Victor has certainly found a way to show us the intangibles of music while demystifying so much of what holds we musicians back from really playing. His treatise on music brings to the fore important elements not usually emphasized in a practicing musician's learning. I found the book to be extremely practical while completely engrossing. Victor's decided approach to the subject at hand is unique, clever, and enjoyable. Much like his character in the book (Victor Wooten), I can't remember the last time I had so much fun learning the 'abc's' of music and more to the point, life itself!
One last comment about the book which I am surprised no one else has mentioned (at least if they did I missed it), and that is the proximity of one Jaco Pastorius to the Michael character. I find myself wanting to ask, is Michael Jaco? I am amazed that that question doesn't seem to be answered at all in the book's pages (again, unless I missed it). Then again, maybe it is so obvious, it is I who am a fool for bringing it up.
Either way, I highly recommend this book for a really great read.
21 of 24 found the following review helpful:
A Practical Guide to Experiencing Music Apr 05, 2008
By Todd Flanders
"- ToddF"
I was a bit turned off by the sub-title. I have very little interest in the spiritual perspective of the world's greatest bass player.
I was grateful that I could read the first chapter online, which sets the tone for the entire book.
The Music Lesson is a fun, entertaining exploration of music from a fictional perspective. There are many important lessons and ideas about music in each chapter. Many of these lessons trigger more questions than answers, which is Victor's way of expressing the importance of self-discovery and "finding your own voice".
I was blessed to attend one of Victor's Bass / Nature camps, so I was able to experience Victor's approach to inspiring others to experience music. I learned to get past my academic background of music theory and explore music with the mind of a child.
I still recommend learning theory, but also recommend this book as a fun read and an opportunity to think of music in a refreshing light.
10 of 11 found the following review helpful:
Must Read for Serious Musicians Apr 30, 2010
By Lucas Clebsch
"Luke Clebsch"
I"m a professional musician. Been playing music for 24 years. This is perhaps the best book about music that I've ever read. If you want to get to a deeper level in your musicianship, read this book. Music is spiritual - that's inescapable. Are you keenly aware of this? Or do you think that's a lot of gobbly goop? Either way, read this book. If you want to understand the types of things that MASTERS of music meditate about music, read this book. I've bought this book 4 times for musician friends. I think it should be required reading for every jazz performance college curriculum in the nation. The best 10 or 20 buck you can spend on music education.
As a teacher, this book gave me a lot of revelation about methodological approach. I have some VERY excited and deeply appreciative students. I'm grateful to Victor Wooten for his influence on me!!!!
10 of 11 found the following review helpful:
 Nicely done but familiar... Aug 13, 2008
By E M Hall
Victor Wooten writes well. He's a talented and spiritual musician who has the gift of being able to teach others through his music and words. The Music Lesson is not just about how to play the bass guitar or any other instrument, it is about the allowing of music that already exists and the attitude of spirit when creating that music. A wonderful analogy in the book likens the instrument as simply a medium for allowing the music that is already within you in the same way that a pen or computer allows words from within to be created and written onto paper. The pen is not the holder of the words, the writer is. The guitar is not the holder of the music, the player is...
I give four and half stars to this book because as I read I felt as though I had come across some aspects of the writing elsewhere in the past. When I read the acknowledgements page I saw that indeed, Mr Wooten had been inspired by Neal Donald Walsch's brilliant book, Conversations with God which I read many years ago. For someone who has not read Conversations with God, you will gain much from The Music Lesson.
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