Let Your Music Soar - the new book by Corky Siegel and Peter Krammer

REVIEWS OF "LET YOUR MUSIC SOAR"

"Let Your Music Soar is a revelation"
Rick Kogan - Author & Music Journalist, Chicago Tribune & WGN-Radio

"Bracing and Entertaining Brew"
Scott Simon - National Public Radio
— Read the Full Quote

"Let Your Music Soar returns music to those who love and make it. Corky Siegel's book - so beautifully accompanied by Holly's pointed and amusing artwork - offers immensely practical insights into how to draw out the music that is within us and share it with others. Reading this book will make you want to pick up the ukulele or blues harp you haven't played since the seventh grade, or help you unlock the true note of personality that even accomplished professional players can neglect. It is peppered with sentences that make you slap your forehead and say, 'Of course! It's so clear now. Gotta try that!' Thirty years of trial, error, and joy have been distilled into a bracing and entertaining brew."
Scott Simon - Peabody Award Winner & Host of NPR's Week-end Edition

"Masterful, Insightful, Filled with Light and Passion"
The Paul Butterfield Fund & Society
— Read the Full Quote

"Masterful, insightful, filled with light and passion, he reaches into the deepest depths of his soul and offers a resourceful learning experience. A must for any music aficionado."
Salli Squitieri and Gabriel Butterfield, The Paul Butterfield Fund and Society

"What a Fantastic Work! - It should be required reading for any musician."
Argus Leader
— Read the Full Quote

"What a fantastic work! It should be required reading for any musician, whether you're an amateur or a seasoned pro."
Ellis Kell, Music Columnist, The Rock Island Argus, The Dispatch and The Leader

"Highly Recommended for All Ages!"
David Amram - Former Composer-in-Residence, New York Philharmonic
— Read the Full Quote

"The book reflects his artistry and originality as an outstanding soloist, composer and improviser, and reading this book is as much fun as playing music with him. Highly recommended for all ages! "
David Amram - Former Composer-in-Residence, New York Philharmonic

"What has occurred defies description... the way I play seems to have fundamentally changed and improved overnight."
Michael Miles - Old Town School of Music
— Read the Full Quote

"I am walking around rather amazed today. I spent some time practicing this morning, playing Bach and exploring your ideas and suggestions. What has occurred defies description. I you've seen the impact this has on people - you can add me to the list. The way I play seems to have fundamentally changed and improved overnight. I can't actually believe it, but I think it is true."
Michael Miles, Music Education Director, Old Town School of Music

"Corky Siegel's methods for finding dynamic expression inside yourself will forever change the way your band, chorus, or orchestra approaches music. It is that profound a tool ..."
David Roche, Ph. D. Arts Education - Chicago Public Schools
— Read the Full Quote

"If you're a music educator looking for a new way to penetrate the 21st-century teenager's channel-surfing mind-on-remote control, Corky Siegel's methods for finding dynamic expression inside yourself will forever change the way your band, chorus, or orchestra approaches music. It is that profound a tool, in the right teacher's hands."
David Roche, Ph.D. - Director, Office of Arts Education - Chicago Public Schools

"Now ... I get outstanding audience response in every song / solo and that's the best turn-on there is!
Gary Gand - True Blood - Gary Gand Music and Sound
— Read the Full Quote

Your class really helped me get my mojo back. I was having a bit of a lull. After playing for 40+ years, I was needing some way to get into "the zone" on a regular basis (playing several times a week). I tried tequila, meditation, bar-b-cue, instructional videos; nothing worked on a consistent basis. Now with "the method" (to quote Marlin Brando) I get outstanding audience response in every song / solo and that's the best turn-on there is! Recent comments from the crowd have been "You're on fire man!" to "You guys guys fu#k*n rock !!" from a group of bikers from the Netherlands during Blues Fest Week. Yes—not BS—its really doing the trick. Thanx a million...
Gary Gand - True Blood - Gary Gand Music and Sound

The class was everything we hoped it would be: inspirational, fun, and effective. We recommend this workshop and the book to any music store or school that wants to offer something very special to their customers. We are giving it rave reviews.
Joan Gand - Gary Gand Music and Sound

"... my playing has completely turned around ... your confidence your abilities explode."
Rick Trankle - Musician and Music Educator
— Read the Full Quote

Having adopted Corky's method of practice [from Let Your Music Soar] for over three months, I can say from the beginning of this journey that my playing has completely turned around. I am more consistent each performance and my group gets more compliments at every gig. Corky shows you how to experience and practice using your entire dynamic range. With this foundation, your confidence your abilities explode. Surrender yourself to what it feels like to play forcefully or explosively. Experience and practice what it feels like to play beyond delicacy. Notice I did not say loudly or softly. Music is a feeling expressed through your instrument and dynamics are in every aspect. Keep your eye on the dynamic ball and you will get out of the way of the music so it can soar!
Rick Trankle - Percussionist, Harmonica and music educator

"Let Your Music Soar boldly tackles a new definition of 'music,' a thorough examination of the creative process, and a refutation of the divides between musical genres."
Jake Austen - Time Out Chicago
— Read More from this Review Read the Full Review

The synthesis of [Corky's] thirty-five years coaching musicians is his new book, Let Your Music Soar - The Emotional Connection, written with Peter Krammer and illustrated by Siegel's wife Holly (Nova Vista Publishing).

Siegel's belief in the benefits of practicing Dynamic Variation borders on zealotry, with his anecdotes of astounding breakthroughs sounding at times like a faith healer's shpiel. But what makes it clear that Siegel is far from a flim-flammer is his intense earnestness, and the specificity of his technique (he ultimately condenses it to a sixty-second exercise). And perhaps more importantly, Siegel is profoundly dedicated to his ideas being accessible. The book utilizes sports analogies, illustrated stories of a caveman musical pioneer, and a CD of audio examples that includes recordings by violinist Rachel Barton-Pine and Marcella Detroit of Shakespear's Sister.

The reason Siegel is so dedicated to making his technique accessible is not simply because he believes any instrumentalist and singer can benefit from it as performers. It is because to him music theory and life philosophy are one and the same. Before introducing any charts or notations Let Your Music Soar boldly tackles a new definition of "music," a thorough examination of the creative process, and a refutation of the divides between musical genres. Ultimately, Siegel's is more invested in artists finding their emotional, individual voice than in pitch, timing, or chops.

Time Out Chicago - June 2008 - by Jacob Austen

Exclusive Online Offer:
Personally autographed and dated copies of Corky's book are available now!


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More About The Book: Book Home Page Peter's Preface Corky's Intro Three Excerpts Graphic: Zones of Physical Intensity Book Reviews LET YOUR MUSIC SOAR Exclusive Online Offer: Personally autographed and dated copies are available now Corky's Home Page	REVIEWS OF "LET YOUR MUSIC SOAR" "Let Your Music Soar is a revelation" Rick Kogan - Author & Music Journalist, Chicago Tribune & WGN-Radio "Bracing and Entertaining Brew" Scott Simon - National Public Radio — Read the Full Quote "Let Your Music Soar returns music to those who love and make it. Corky Siegel's book - so beautifully accompanied by Holly's pointed and amusing artwork - offers immensely practical insights into how to draw out the music that is within us and share it with others. Reading this book will make you want to pick up the ukulele or blues harp you haven't played since the seventh grade, or help you unlock the true note of personality that even accomplished professional players can neglect. It is peppered with sentences that make you slap your forehead and say, 'Of course! It's so clear now. Gotta try that!' Thirty years of trial, error, and joy have been distilled into a bracing and entertaining brew." Scott Simon - Peabody Award Winner & Host of NPR's Week-end Edition "Masterful, Insightful, Filled with Light and Passion" The Paul Butterfield Fund & Society — Read the Full Quote "Masterful, insightful, filled with light and passion, he reaches into the deepest depths of his soul and offers a resourceful learning experience. A must for any music aficionado." Salli Squitieri and Gabriel Butterfield, The Paul Butterfield Fund and Society "What a Fantastic Work! - It should be required reading for any musician." Argus Leader — Read the Full Quote "What a fantastic work! It should be required reading for any musician, whether you're an amateur or a seasoned pro." Ellis Kell, Music Columnist, The Rock Island Argus, The Dispatch and The Leader "Highly Recommended for All Ages!" David Amram - Former Composer-in-Residence, New York Philharmonic — Read the Full Quote "The book reflects his artistry and originality as an outstanding soloist, composer and improviser, and reading this book is as much fun as playing music with him. Highly recommended for all ages! " David Amram - Former Composer-in-Residence, New York Philharmonic "What has occurred defies description... the way I play seems to have fundamentally changed and improved overnight." Michael Miles - Old Town School of Music — Read the Full Quote "I am walking around rather amazed today. I spent some time practicing this morning, playing Bach and exploring your ideas and suggestions. What has occurred defies description. I you've seen the impact this has on people - you can add me to the list. The way I play seems to have fundamentally changed and improved overnight. I can't actually believe it, but I think it is true." Michael Miles, Music Education Director, Old Town School of Music "Corky Siegel's methods for finding dynamic expression inside yourself will forever change the way your band, chorus, or orchestra approaches music. It is that profound a tool ..." David Roche, Ph. D. Arts Education - Chicago Public Schools — Read the Full Quote "If you're a music educator looking for a new way to penetrate the 21st-century teenager's channel-surfing mind-on-remote control, Corky Siegel's methods for finding dynamic expression inside yourself will forever change the way your band, chorus, or orchestra approaches music. It is that profound a tool, in the right teacher's hands." David Roche, Ph.D. - Director, Office of Arts Education - Chicago Public Schools "Now ... I get outstanding audience response in every song / solo and that's the best turn-on there is! Gary Gand - True Blood - Gary Gand Music and Sound — Read the Full Quote Your class really helped me get my mojo back. I was having a bit of a lull. After playing for 40+ years, I was needing some way to get into "the zone" on a regular basis (playing several times a week). I tried tequila, meditation, bar-b-cue, instructional videos; nothing worked on a consistent basis. Now with "the method" (to quote Marlin Brando) I get outstanding audience response in every song / solo and that's the best turn-on there is! Recent comments from the crowd have been "You're on fire man!" to "You guys guys fu#kn rock !!" from a group of bikers from the Netherlands during Blues Fest Week. Yes—not BS—its really doing the trick. Thanx a million... Gary Gand - True Blood - Gary Gand Music and Sound* The class was everything we hoped it would be: inspirational, fun, and effective. We recommend this workshop and the book to any music store or school that wants to offer something very special to their customers. We are giving it rave reviews. Joan Gand - Gary Gand Music and Sound "... my playing has completely turned around ... your confidence your abilities explode." Rick Trankle - Musician and Music Educator — Read the Full Quote Having adopted Corky's method of practice [from Let Your Music Soar] for over three months, I can say from the beginning of this journey that my playing has completely turned around. I am more consistent each performance and my group gets more compliments at every gig. Corky shows you how to experience and practice using your entire dynamic range. With this foundation, your confidence your abilities explode. Surrender yourself to what it feels like to play forcefully or explosively. Experience and practice what it feels like to play beyond delicacy. Notice I did not say loudly or softly. Music is a feeling expressed through your instrument and dynamics are in every aspect. Keep your eye on the dynamic ball and you will get out of the way of the music so it can soar! Rick Trankle - Percussionist, Harmonica and music educator "Let Your Music Soar boldly tackles a new definition of 'music,' a thorough examination of the creative process, and a refutation of the divides between musical genres." Jake Austen - Time Out Chicago — Read More from this Review Read the Full Review The synthesis of [Corky's] thirty-five years coaching musicians is his new book, Let Your Music Soar - The Emotional Connection, written with Peter Krammer and illustrated by Siegel's wife Holly (Nova Vista Publishing). Siegel's belief in the benefits of practicing Dynamic Variation borders on zealotry, with his anecdotes of astounding breakthroughs sounding at times like a faith healer's shpiel. But what makes it clear that Siegel is far from a flim-flammer is his intense earnestness, and the specificity of his technique (he ultimately condenses it to a sixty-second exercise). And perhaps more importantly, Siegel is profoundly dedicated to his ideas being accessible. The book utilizes sports analogies, illustrated stories of a caveman musical pioneer, and a CD of audio examples that includes recordings by violinist Rachel Barton-Pine and Marcella Detroit of Shakespear's Sister. The reason Siegel is so dedicated to making his technique accessible is not simply because he believes any instrumentalist and singer can benefit from it as performers. It is because to him music theory and life philosophy are one and the same. Before introducing any charts or notations Let Your Music Soar boldly tackles a new definition of "music," a thorough examination of the creative process, and a refutation of the divides between musical genres. Ultimately, Siegel's is more invested in artists finding their emotional, individual voice than in pitch, timing, or chops. Time Out Chicago - June 2008 - by Jacob Austen Exclusive Online Offer: Personally autographed and dated copies of Corky's book are available now!
Corky Siegel's Traveling Chamber Blues Show The latest CD on Alligator Records. Listen: Opus 17.2