Best Practice for Musicians

Video Podcast

Host Judy Minot talks to great musicians about how we can get better.

APPLE PODCASTS

Episodes

Mel Biggs:
Carving the Air

English accordion player and teacher Mel Bigs has plenty of tips for any musician: learning by ear, playing in rhythm with dancers, similar tunes that boost your repertoire, benefits of slow practice and more.

Memorable Quotes:

“We learn to take the air knife and we go into the tune like it's a block of marble. We can go in and carve bits out of it and soften certain bits and smooth them over..”

“If you [practice] really slowly, this magical thing happens at speed, where you've got the muscle memory and you've got the strength in your fingers because you've done the weights at the gym really slowly."

Release Date: July 15, 2026, 56:34

Shannon Heaton:
Tucking into the Pulse

Irish flute player and singer Shannon Heaton on breathing, phrasing, musical expression, overcoming challenges, fitting in to Irish traditional music sessions, and more.

Memorable Quotes:

“If you're really not fluent with a language, you don't just jump in on the high level conversation. But just to say, ‘Hi, how are you?' You just need a couple of words just to sit down and play a few tunes.”

“Nobody's going to say, ‘Oh, my gosh, she's like, too rhythmic!’ It's never going to happen. ‘Her rhythm is too clean. Her rhythm is too, too lovely!’”

Release Date: June 15, 2026, 47:27

Dallas Vietty: Developing

Musical Fluency

Jazz accordionist and teacher Dallas Vietty on creativity, improvisation and inspiration.

Memorable Quotes:

“Music is a language. But it's not one language. It's a whole bunch of different languages. The idea is to treat it as a language so that when we are spoken to by another musician, we can understand what they said to us.”

“For every musician, some sort of inventiveness or creativity with what you're given is possible, and fun! And should be part of your daily playing.”

May 15, 2026, 39:30

Martin Hayes: Playing Music from the Heart

Renowned Irish fiddler Martin Hayes shares his deep understanding of musical expression, personal style, and creating a beautiful sound in this interview with author Judy Minot. Martin offers practical tips on practicing, playing with feeling, balancing tradition with innovation in Irish music and conquering stage fright.

April 15, 2026 58:19