Reviews and Raves
“Fabulous,” "a godsend," “invaluable" and "a treasure.”
Read reviews from Kevin Burke, Liz Carroll, Indie Reader and musician readers.
Magazine/Online Reviews
“A great book for adult learners of any instrument… [this book brings the reader] a sense of true inspiration, a feeling that success is attainable while outlining the practical steps to get there.…I truly enjoyed this book and love what it teaches us.”
“A book to be read and re-read…Dense with lived wisdom but compulsively readable, the book combines practical guidance and inspiration in a comprehensive volume that will prove invaluable to musicians of any musical style or experience level.
“It is an excellent work for players of all ages and certainly will also inform teachers wishing to compare how they teach as well as what they teach."
Praise from Renowned Musicians
Liz Carroll
American fiddler and composer
This is a fabulous book! Judy makes us want to move and apply her methods, often right after reading a sentence. Judy brings a wealth of knowledge and lived wisdom to learning and practicing traditional music. The bonus is that the tools she gives us for practicing music can really apply to myriad areas of our lives.
This is the kind of book I imagine every musician will enjoy; the ideas shared in it are at once a guide and a comfort to all of us as we challenge ourselves to play music.
Happy Traum
fingerstyle guitarist, folk music legend
…filled to the brim with practical insights, solid advice and wisdom that will benefit all traditional musicians, regardless of instrument, style, genre or skill level. There are vast wells of information in these pages that you can dip a toe, swim or dive deeply into. As a folk and blues guitarist with more than six decades of experience, Judy’s book has inspired me to approach my own continual learning from new angles, and I can see that I will be better off for it. This is a rich and finely wrought work and I highly recommend it.
Kevin Burke
Irish master fiddler
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It contains a wealth of exceptionally useful advice for musicians of any level. Its value lies in explaining techniques for learning rather than the techniques for playing a specific instrument. Many fresh ideas are discussed on how to set achievable goals, how to mentally approach practicing and, of course, how to develop the physical skills needed to play an instrument.
A very lively, entertaining and friendly book which I’m sure will be a boon to players everywhere.
Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers
founding editor, Acoustic Guitar magazine
A wealth of ideas and tools for making progress as a musician, all presented in small, clear, achievable steps.
Natalie Haas
groundbreaking American cellist
A veritable bible of a practice guide for amateurs in the field of traditional music, and I mean “amateurs” in the original sense of the word – people who LOVE doing something. This is a great way to feed that love, by teaching yourself to become more efficient and more available on your instrument and enjoy yourself while doing it! Players of all levels and all styles will benefit from reading this very well thought out, very thorough and accessible approach.
James Kelly
Irish fiddler, composer, teacher
Full of wonderful words of wisdom. Very down to earth, making perfect sense, with practical, sensible and very helpful information. I was truly delighted to read this book and to recommend it to musicians i have an opportunity to meet on my journey.
Mary Flower
award-winning guitarist
Having this guidebook is a godsend. As a self-taught musician and professional for the last five decades, I’ve never really learned the art of how to practice. With no reliable routine, I am typically scatterbrained as I sometimes struggle with lyrics.
I now have a plethora of ideas to add some structure to my practicing. I highly recommend “Best Practice” for all musicians regardless of instrument, level or genre.
David Leonhardt
veteran jazz pianist and composer
Judy Minot has written a practice handbook for traditional musicians, but it could well be for any musician on any instrument at any level. She has an insight on the way humans think and learn that makes this book a joy to work with. Judy has compiled a treasure trove of ideas in a concise and easy-to-access format. Her many years of playing multiple instruments has given her an insight into the musical mind and an understanding of the emotional aspect of practicing where achievable goals are a must.
As a resource for any musician that wants to improve on their own, this book has it covered.
Shannon Heaton
Irish flute player/singer/composer
Kudos to Judy for sharing this highly organized, empowering approach to the practice of practice. It’s a celebration of and for the adult learner. What a gift to players of all levels!
Reader Raves
“The world's longest buffet for hungry, thirsty musicians…This book will help you reflect on your musical practices, revisit your musical and rhythmic assumptions, and become more mindful about both your own techniques and the music you are learning and playing. This book will have a permanent spot on my practice stand, and I will turn to it each time I practice. Put this on the birthday or holiday gift list for the musicians and music teachers in your life. They will thank you. This book really is a gem.”
– Arpeggio Garden, Amazon reader
“I have read, followed , and absorbed “Best Practice” over the last 4 years. It has encouraged me, taught me, and allowed me to become a better musician, father and husband.”
–Tom L
“Every Adult Musician Should Read This. A treasure trove of good ideas for practice, and approaches to playing to keep you centered and happy with your efforts.”
– George Fowler, Amazon reader, fiddle teacher
“This book is really a treasure. I have read only a few chapters and my ideas of how to play and how to practice have changed. This book is simply wonderful as an instruction for both music and mindfulness and I simply can't recommend it enough. Thank you, Judy Minot.”
–JG, Amazon Customer
“[Your practice techniques] have made practicing so much more enjoyable and have made me feel so much better about myself and my guitar journey. Thank you for sharing your gifts and super powers!”
– KA
“This has revitalised my practice regime and I'd recommend it for all musicians. Every short section has something useful to try.”
–Amazon Customer
“Love This Book! This book has helped my husband change his life and his music.”
– Jeni, Amazon Customer
“Insightful, concise and wise. Can't praise too highly.”
–joe devine, Amazon Customer
“This book will not be collecting dust; I read it every day. It is so very inspirational. My foray into playing and trying to perform music has been the most challenging endeavor I have attempted, yet I have learned so much about myself and the slow progress I make is rewarding enough to keep me going. Thank you again for collecting these aids and presenting them in a way that makes them useful to me.”
– GB, Amazon Customer
“I keep reaching for your book, which is an amazing resource. Thank you for this gift of best practice.”
– Renata von Tscharner
“A rare treasure. Thank you for producing such a great boon to traditional musicians.”
– TL, Amazon Customer