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Feb 20, 2011

Almie rated it:

I had never heard of Victor Whooten until, completely by accident, I stumbled upon an internet discussion of him giving a commentary on his book. I was so captivated by the genuineness of his personality that I knew I had to read this book. It's a very unique and insightful story, as much about life, as it is about music. As for the story part, it was like stepping into a fairy tale that I desperately wanted to be true. However, the life lessons, as well as the music lessons, really gave me some More...

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Feb 04, 2010

Russell rated it:

This is influential bass guitarist Victor Wooten's response to numerous requests he's had to write a music instruction book. Rather than writing a traditional method book, however, Wooten chose a far more novel approach to music instruction. He creates a sort of personal mythology in which strange characters appear to him out of nowhere and take him on unpredictable journeys in which weird little miracles happen. These events are all for the purpose of teaching him how to be a great musician.
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Oct 07, 2010

Marcus rated it:

I've played the banjo for a couple years now. My only prior brush with playing music was piano lessons in the 4th and 5th grade. I'm glad I took them, i learned the basics of reading music and where middle C is, but apart from that, they didn't go so well. My younger brother and I were enrolled together and the piano teacher, Mrs. Blackburn, tried to keep us at the same level but he picked it up a lot quicker than I did and I was holding him back. He learned faster and played better. He did then More...

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Jul 11, 2010

Joe rated it:

I am glad that I began my summer reading with the book “The Music Lesson” by Victor Wooten. This is a summer that I plan to begin to focus intensely on music or Music with a capital M as the author refers to it in The Music Lesson. This is a strange book at first. Wooten sets it up with an encounter with a mysterious music teacher named Michael. It is written much in the spirit of Carlos Castaneda’s works in that Michael is able to do incredible things by manipulating music and sound such as fi More...

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Mar 30, 2010

Trisha rated it:

Victor Wooten is a Grammy award winning musician whose quirky little book isn't just about music. As the subtitle suggests it's also about living intentionally and while I was less than impressed with Wooten's writing which can be a little too trite and cutesy the book was not entirely without merit. It's structured around a set of lessons intended to illustrate 10 important characteristics of good musicianship as explained by a mysterious cast of over-the-top characters who appear and disappea More...

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May 29, 2011

Rwh rated it:

Grammy awarding winning bass player Victor Wooten weaves a spell of music and mysticism in this story involving several lessons and experiences with a mysterious man named Michael and his friends.

Through it, they touch on several aspects of music: notes, articulation, technique, feel, dynamics, rhythm, tone, phrasing, space and listening. While I felt like some of the concepts were aimed at those with more musical experience than myself, the work did expand my thinking of music beyond More...

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Jun 07, 2011

pianogal rated it:

This book is kinda crap - or maybe I was simply to sober to fully comprehend the genius of Michael. All I needed was a bag of shrooms and a patchouli scented candle and it might have made sense.

Is the stuff being taught worthwhile? Sure, but for me the lessons were SO obvious that it was hard not to laugh out loud at his various unveilings of "genius". You mean music's not just about the notes?!?! Really!?!? I guess I spent too many years in reputable music schools to reall More...

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Oct 08, 2011

James rated it:

There is a lot of mystical mumbo-jumbo here that I have no use for. Full of pantheism and positive thinking, Wooten tries to write a spiritual book. Kind of like if Paulo Coelho's Alchemist strapped on a bass guitar.

But I like this book better than the Alchemist. Mostly because I like the bass guitar, and am a fan of Victor. The redeeming part of this book is that it is also a book about the elements of music. These seem to be the same elements as those he presented in his instruction More...

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Jun 04, 2011

Jay rated it:

I try to think of better titles of the books I read/listen to, and for this one "Zen and the Art of Musician Maintenance" would cover it. The book was more "new-age"ey than I like, but I did get some interesting takes on music concepts. And while I'm not a musician, I found the book covered many music related topics so that I could understand them. The writing in the book felt amateurish and the story far fetched, and it got more bizarre as it went along -- if you don't like More...

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Jan 18, 2010

Mat rated it:

Victor Wooten writes, as per the constant request of his friends, family, and friends, a book on how he came to understand music the way he does. Anyone looking for a book on complex music theory and specific technique will not find what they're looking for here. This book is an incredibly profound account of a mystical teacher that shattered his preconceptions about music, and rebuilt his understanding of music as a living spiritual entity. Everyone who has even considered calling themselves a More...

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Feb 14, 2009

KrisAnne rated it:

Pretty dang woo-woo. I wish he'd just taken the important points and made a bulleted list instead of writing a whole book with this weird mystical-teacher-appearing-from-nowhere conceit. I could only read about 5 pages at a time, and I only read it because some of my students have to do a book report on it. And the ones who were assigned to read it will likely get something out of it, so fine, give this book to your serious late-teens music student who is just learning how to have deep thoughts. More...

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Sep 06, 2008

Dgfletch rated it:

This is a strange and strangely significant book. I picked it up on impulse at the 5th Ave B & N while looking for a book by Edward Said. The mushy metaphysical hints of the intro and the disconcerting address to the reader as U, almost had me returning it, but noting that the author is a musician of a pretty high order, I persisted. The lessons learned and passed on in the book are all fundamental and difficult -- worthwhile in other words. The stories used to convey them are maddeningly More...

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Jun 01, 2008

Naeem rated it:

The premise is a bit far fetched and the writing a bit plain, but it works. A character with magical abilities and deep wisdom appears to Victor Wooten and takes him through a series of experiences and exercises which demonstrate that playing music is far, far more than technique; that an engagement with music is an engagement with the deepest aspects of meaning, spirit, and power; and that thinking about, playing, and listening to music are always ways of living life.

I am partial More...

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Apr 05, 2008

Todd rated it:

I read the original print of this book, prior to the deal with Berkley Trade (in case anyone questions why my "read" date comes before the publish date)

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 fiction More...

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Apr 03, 2008

Christina rated it:

I've been a fan of Victor's music for many years, and I was excited to read his book. I didn't expect terrific writing, and I didn't get it. I did, however, expect terrific ideas about music, which I did get -- over and over.

Wooten visits and explores the relationship between spirituality and Music (I'll capitalize because he does), and discovers that Music itself can be a form of spirit. Through his eccentric (ultimately real?) teacher, Michael, he learns an appreciation for Musi More...

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Feb 12, 2012

Karen added it

This was incredible as an audiobook. Different readers, music, and effects made it a rich experience. And the story stretched my thinking while being a joy to hear. The ideas really hit me deeply. I finished listening several days ago, but was compelled to re-listen to the last couple of chapters again this afternoon. I usually delete audiobooks from my iPod as soon as I reach the end, but this one will stay on for a while.
Listening to the audiobook also inspired me to download some o More...

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May 31, 2009

Enoch rated it:

Victor Wooten takes you on a simple journey of discovery and understanding of music and how it infuses itself in everyday life. This eye opening journey applies to musicians as well as everyday individuals looking to enhance their lives by seeing the world for something bigger than it is. This book is infused with personal insight from on of the greatest bass players and musicians of our age. A must read for any musician looking to expand their understanding.

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Jun 15, 2009

Lynn rated it:

This is a lovely book that left me in a state of grace at its end.
Along the lines of Golf in the Kingdom and Way of the Peaceful Warrior, it's a story of one man's awakening to the magic in the world through the "teachings" of a man that may or may not be real in terms of consensus reality. The teachings apply to life in general but might be of special interest to anyone who appreciates music. The author is a grammy-winning Nashville bass player.

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May 04, 2011

David rated it:

I listened to this as a "Playaway" with earbuds. It was about music, its elements, and how one person thinks we should relate to them. It was interesting to a point, but after an hour or so I got tired of some of the platitudes. I might write more later, but after a while (after listening to more than half of it) I just got tired of it and returned it to the library. I rarely do that, but I just didn't want to listen to any more.

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Aug 04, 2010

Michael rated it:

As a musician, I was really intrigued by the subtile "a spiritual search for growth through music". I found it very captivating the way the author weaved a story that incorporated some of the basic elements of music such as dynamics and rhythm. Reflecting back on the book, it vaguely reminded me of the feeling that I had some 25 years ago when I was assigned the reading of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

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May 10, 2010

Kristin rated it:

Far out, man! I liked this book a lot. Wooten's philosophy about the spiritual relationship between music and life is wonderful! And he found a very entertaining way to explain the relationships of all the components of music. My only complaint is that the last chapter was a bit cheesy for my taste, I thought probably unnecessary. But overall this book uplifted my spirit and made me feel happy to be a musician.

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Dec 15, 2010

Thor rated it:

The common complaint I've heard about this book is that it is too "New-agey" and though I understand where people are coming from, this book is a really fascinating look at the elements of Music, and, therefore, life. Take the new-age stuff with a grain of salt, if it isn't your thing, but as a professional musician, it has helped me to return to the source of why i do this.

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Jan 01, 2012

Larry rated it:

This book by an accomplished musician proves to be a good read for musicians of all kinds, young and old. I'm reading it along with my 11-year-old grandson...both of us playing the guitar and making music. Victor Wooten is a fine writer and a beautiful bass guitarist. I recommend this book to anyone who loves music...and who doesn't? Take the spiritual journey.

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Mar 29, 2011

Geri rated it:

I'm not quite finished with it yet, but I like Wooten's approach to improvisational playing. He's out in a spiritual left field with his "musical spiritual advisors," but the principles he's teaching through them speak volumes to the improvisational process. I think it's beneficial, but you might need to be careful who you recommend it to. ;-D

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Jan 27, 2012

Chris rated it:

I blew through this book quick. This story is Victor Wooten's philosophical musings on the nature of music as it has impacted his life. I related quite a bit to his story based on my own experiences which were very similiar. However, I think if you are not spiritually connected to music then this will not be your book but if you view life through music this story reads like a good bible verse.

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Sep 30, 2010

Jack added it

Victor Wooten is an amazing musician. This book has lots of great insights and inspiration for improving playing, much of it focused not on notes, but on listening, silence, emotion. The story is told in the form of spiritual guides leading Socratic dialogues. Amusing, but eventually a bit tiresome.

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May 20, 2009

Marion rated it:

I received this book from a musician friend and it was quite a treat. It's really a meditation on music and life though it's probably most enjoyable to those who have an interest in and/or knowledge of music. Wooten weaves a tale about coming to find that Music is alive and learning how to play (and live) from the soul. He tells it as though it's a memoir - the story may not be factually true but it speaks truth from heart.

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Nov 25, 2011

Scott rated it:

Wooten's The Music Lesson is an interesting book. It shares some interesting ideas about the tangible, corporeal qualities of music, and is written in an interesting and novel style. Some of the dialogue gets annoying at times, but overall Wooten has written an interesting and helpful book.

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Oct 13, 2009

Aidan rated it:

This is one of the most influential books I have ever read. It completely changed my perspective on music and opened up a bunch of doors for me, musically. It's not particularly well written, but the lessons themselves are brilliant. I think it's a fun read even if you are not particularly musical.

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Feb 14, 2010

Tim rated it:

I didn't get all the way through, our drummer was reading it on a trip and I was reading it when he would put it down, but I was liking what I read so far. A very unique take on the mental aspects of music. No scary math. I think even a non-musicians would like it.

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