Best Practice for Musicians

Video Podcast

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

APPLE PODCASTS

Episodes

Bruce Molsky:
Dig into the Details

Grammy-nominated violinist Bruce Molsky talks with host Judy Minot about digging into the details to find the essence of traditional music. Subjects include finding musicality, meeting Tommy Jarrell, the benefits of collaboration, learning tunes on the fly, methodical vs. non-methodical practicing, and more.

Memorable Quotes:

"You don't have to know everything. You have to pick a few things that are meaningful to you and know what you're trying to do and why you're doing them, and get good at them."

"You don't know something really, really well until you've played it to death and you've been sick of it a couple of times."

Release Date: October 17, 2026, 49:30

Natalie Haas:
Trad Cello

Cello as a folk instrument? Natalie Haas has influenced an entire generation of cellists, making cello an acceptable and even sought-after instrument in trad music ensembles. The conversation included what we call "trad," specific cello/accompanist practice routines, incorporating rhythmic variation, crafting an arrangement, and much more.

Memorable Quotes:

"The goal of practicing is to be able to play better with other people...Making music with other people is really what it's all about."

"Ten to 15 minutes of focused practice is way better than an hour of unfocused."

"This is a rhythm instrument, too. It can be percussive. It can be the whole rhythm section for a band. You don't need a drummer, you don't need a guitar player. If you embrace this concept of strings being both chordal and rhythmic, then you have this whole new world opened up to you."

Release Date: September 18, 2026, 39:11

Liz Knowles:

See, Hear, Feel

American violinist Liz Knowles talks with Judy Minot about "the practice of practicing," using perception ("see-hear-feel") to address practice issues, the emotional component, when to focus and when to let go of focus, tips on how to improve focus, getting inspiration from other disciplines, practice as a meditation, and finding a practice routine that fits you.

Memorable Quotes:

"It's really important to notice when focus goes out the door."

"You can be perfect and have something really down. And then if your mind gets in the way, it's over. Game over."

"You can't play an instrument without at some point having to engage with the whole body and understanding how energy works, how muscles work, how the physicality of this works."

Release Date: August 18, 2026, 56:02

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