‘The major problem in becoming a good artist/musician is not about being talented or not, but about the way you work, the way you practice and above all the way you think about yourself.’
Alongside his career as a jazz violin player Michael Gustorff has been working as a teacher, coach and mental trainer at the ArtEZ Conservatory Arnhem (The Netherlands) and the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz in Cologne (Germany).
In 2004 he released his first book ‘Practising Without Problems - Mental Training For (Jazz)Musicians’ (2nd edition published in 2006) followed by ‘Creativity & Everyday Life - A Mental Guide Not Only For Artists & Musicians’ in 2010.
Michael Gustorff has given mental training workshops at music & art academies all over Germany (Berlin, Leipzig, Essen, Freiburg, Dresden.... ), the Benelux (Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, Enschede, Zwolle, Maastricht, Gent, Antwerp .... ), Austria, Spain, Korea and Latvia.
Mental training in Riga (Latvia)
Workshops
The workshops can be held in English, Dutch or German.
Workshop 1: ‘Practicing Without Problems - How To Improve Your Practicing’
This workshop can be held for:
- jazz & pop students only
- all kinds of music & art students
- music school teachers
- amateurs
Content:
Mental preparation - Dealing with information effectively - Getting started - Time management - Practice plans – Practicing and not getting better - Practicing technique - Practicing jazz & improvisation - How to deal with your
teacher (student) - On stage...
Format:
Standard workshop length: 3 hours
Other formats can be discussed
Material:
Room with chairs, a table, whiteboard, piano
Workshop 2: ‘The Mental Side of Your Career - How To Organize a Creative Life’
This workshop can be held for:
- jazz & pop students
- all kinds of music & art students
- music school teachers
- amateurs
Content:
Combining artistic growth and everyday life - Energy and focus - What does it mean to be(come) a professional - Time management - The I-company - Image - Internal teachers -External teachers - Balance...
Format:
Standard workshop length: 3 hours
Other formats can be discussed
Material:
Room with chairs, one table, whiteboard
Comments
It was a great success. Everybody really appreciated the contents of your workshops and especially the way you presented it.
Peter Weniger, Artistic Director JIB - Jazz Institute Berlin, Germany
I got a lot of positive feedback from the students. Let’s make it a tradition. I will invite you again.
Maarten Weyler, Head Conservatory Gent, Belgium
I had a very good feeling during the workshop. I'm happy that I invited you.
Bernhard Hofmann, Head Jazz- und Rockschule Freiburg, Germany
Your workshop was great. I'm familiar with all the problems that you discussed with the students. You are very good in dealing with young people.
Andy Herrman, piano player/teacher
Our students were very enthusiastic about the lessons. Many of them said that they immediately started to work with the information you gave them.
Bodhi Sikora, teacher Amsterdam Conservatory, The Netherlands
.... your personal and warm way of leading the workshop. You presented yourself as 'one of us'. You made us work ... you listened, reacted and then came up with your story ... my compliments for that!
Ton Oomen, drummer/teacher Muziekpakhuis Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The feedback from the students was very enthusiastic and positive.
Leon Lhoest, Conservatory Antwerp, Belgium
There was only positive feedback from the students.
Prof. Werner Neumann, Hochschule für Musik und Theater Leipzig, Germany
Thanks again for the fantastic workshop yesterday. It really helped me a lot!
Theresia Philipp, saxophone player
Thanks for the workshop, the students were very enthusiastic
Magnus Nilson, project manager conservatory Utrecht, NL
Hi Michael, I don’t know if you remember me!
Your tips about practicing and how to survive problems with writing and playing have had big influence on my work and have made my life less stressful.
The speech that you hold in the 1st year is still in my mind and you were completely right:
- 4 years is a very short amount of time
- to become a professional you have to work as a professional all the time
- it’s called ‘playing music’, because it’s supposed to be ‘fun’
Simon Michel, composer
Your workshop was really great. My work is more effective now, thanks to good time management. Thank you.
Amanda Kapsch, singer
Hey Michael, thanks for your workshop. It really helps. I remember many things!!!
Mario Galante, guitar player
Mental training in Barcelona (Spain)
Coaching
Michael Gustorff is available for individual coaching sessions to help people improve their practicing and (re)-organize their work and life. The coaching consists of a short analysis of the situation followed by concrete exercises to work with. Very often 2 or 3 sessions are enough to substantially improve the student’s working habits.
Comments
I took a coaching lesson from you recently and we had a conversation about me dealing with being judged during my recital at the conservatory in Amsterdam. I want to tell you that the tips and exercise you gave really helped me. I was able to sing freely and I felt mentally better prepared than ever. That was great. Again thanks for your help. I'm looking forward to meeting you again and working with you.
Luna Zegers, singer
I was a drum student at ArtEZ in 2000, having had some practice problems. Perhaps you remember me. You helped me a lot and I love reading your books!
Sebastian Schmidt, drummer
Your workshop had a big influence. The students talk a lot about it. And everyone who had a one-on-one coaching was enthusiastic. Thank you for that.
Prof. Pepe Berns, bass player, teacher music academy Leipzig, Germany
Mental training in Seoul (Korea)
Book 1
‘Practising without Problems - Mental Training for (Jazz)musicians’
Table of Contents:Preface - Who is this Book for - How to Use this Book - Mental Preparation - Dealing with New Information - Getting Started -Practice Plans - While Practising - Practising Technique - Practising Jazz/Improvisation - Problems and Solutions -Teaching and being Taught - On Stage - Finally - Contemplation Collection - Appendix - Recommended Books - Acknowledgements - About the Author.
Illustrations by Mona Sabine Meis - Design by Han Halewijn Printed by HP Nacke KG - Wuppertal, Germany.
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The book can be ordered on this website.
Book 2
‘Creativity & Everyday Life – A Mental Guide (Not Only) For Artists & Musicians’
Table of Contents:Introduction - Who is this book for? - Before we start - The Power of our Brain - Changing Something-Changing Ourselves - Learning - The Art of Healthy Repetition - Useful Memory - Some extra Tips - Energy - Focus - Long Term Planning - Attitude - The Power of Doubt - Short Term Action - Step by Step - Daily Routine - Weekly Routine - The Way We Work - The I-Company - Image - Problems, our (best) Friends - Internal Teachers - External Teachers - Mental Traps and Tips - Balance - The Realization of your Personality - Goodbye (Un)Happiness - What's your Contribution? - Finally - Appendix - Recommended Books - Acknowledgements - The Author - The Musician - The Program. |
The book can be ordered on this website.
Reviews and Comments:
'Practising Without Problems – Mental Training For (Jazz)Musicians'
Good book!
Lee Konitz, saxophone player
Michael Gustorff has organized the basics of practicing in a highly organized and simple presentation.
Dave Liebman, saxophone player
It’s a fresh and honest approach to how we (as musicians, teachers and students) can deal with practicing. The ideas are easy to assimilate.
John Taylor, piano player
The best book on the subject that offers advice on developing an efficient practicing mentality is Michael Gustorff’s ‘Practising Without Problems’.
Hal Galper, piano player
Receiving this book was well worth any extra fees!
Patrick C. Dorian, Associate Professor of Music East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Highly recommended. A true learning experience!
Reviewed by: Lee Prosser, www.jazzreview.com
Thanks for writing such a wise & useful book. I look forward to using these ideas in my own practice as well as my students practice.
Alan Kaplan, trombone player
The book arrived and is helping already.
Jim Meehan, guitar player
A powerful side effect of the book is that every time I pick it up I get no further than a couple of paragraphs before I have to pick up my guitar and get to work!
Mike Bibby, guitar player
I really enjoyed reading your book and I will use it in my lessons at the conservatory in The Hague.
Niels Tausk, trumpet & bass player, teacher, coach
I want to thank you a lot for this book. It feels like a wonderful present!
Kerstin Koerte, mallet player
Your book was with me almost every day during the last two years. It was good, very good for me!
Giampiero Girolamo, piano player
I ordered your book again. I gave it to somebody and it never came back to me. This is what happens to good books.
Albert van Veenendaal, piano player, composer
It’s great fun reading your book
Stephan Braun, jazz celloplayer
Reviews and Comments:
‘Creativity & Everyday Life – A Mental Guide (Not Only) For Artists & Musicians’
“Creativity & Everyday Life” is both clear and succinct. It provides concrete directions and advice; it asks questions and puts you to work. I can thoroughly recommend this “signpost” to not only students of creative subjects but also graduate artists.
Willem Hillenius, Director ArtEZ Institute of the Arts
It's an excellent book for young folks starting out!
Dave Liebman, Artistic Director IASJ (International Association of Schools of Jazz)
I read your books and want to thank you for putting so much natural wisdom into words.
Marcela Simons, student Codarts Rotterdam
I finished your book on the same day I got it. Great subject! 'Big issues' presented in manageable portions. Congratulations with your second book.
Ineke van Doorn, singer, teacher, author of the book 'Professioneel Zingen'
I just took a look at the book. It feels good!
Henk Haverhoek, bass player
I really like your new book, it's simple and clear. I hope that it will sell well! You deserve it!
Francesc Capella, piano player, teacher at the Esmuc, Barcelona
What a good book, Michael! I just started reading and I really like it. It’s very close to the way I work with my students.
Hartog Eysman, singer/songwriter
Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed reading your books. I'm a 2nd year Jazz singing student at the ArtEZ Conservatory in Zwolle, and unfortunately I missed your workshops last month. After hearing so many positive reactions from my fellow students after your first day, I decided to buy your books to read about the stuff you talked about in the workshops (you might remember me, interrupting your class to buy the books). I've read them now, and as I said I just wanted to let you know that you reached another student with your stories. I also bumped into many of the problems you described, and I'm sure that your way of thinking will help me solve the problems in my best way.
Joep van Weert, singer
Press
rightclick on the picture to download a hi-res version
 photo by Karl Heinz Krauskopf |
 photo by Mona S. Meis |
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English - Deutsch - Nederlands
English Press Text Trainer
Michael Gustorff (*1958 Leverkusen, Germany) is a highly respected performer all over Europe. He is considered one of the finest jazz violinists in contemporary jazz and has often been featured as a soloist with major bands and orchestras, such as The GUST, Dick de Graaf Septet, Trio Nuevo, Radio Big Bands Berlin & Frankfurt...
Alongside his career as a jazz violin player Michael Gustorff has been working as a teacher, coach and mental trainer at the ArtEZ Conservatory Arnhem (The Netherlands) and the ‘Hochschule für Musik und Tanz in Cologne (Germany).
He is the author of the books ‘Practising Without Problems - Mental Training For (Jazz)Musicians’ and ‘Creativity & Everyday Life - A Mental Guide Not Only For Artists & Musicians’ and has given workshops on these subjects at many music & art academies all over Germany (Berlin, Leipzig, Essen, Freiburg, Dresden), the Benelux (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Enschede, Zwolle, Maastricht, Gent, Antwerp...), Austria, Spain, Korea and Latvia.
English - Deutsch - Nederlands
Deutscher Pressetext Trainer
Michael Gustorff (geb.1958 in Leverkusen) zählt mittlerweile zu den wichtigsten Jazzgeigern Europas.
Als Solist trat er mit sehr unterschiedlichen Bands (The GUST, Dick de Graaf Septet, Trio Nuevo, Radio Big Bands Berlin & Frankfurt...) in Europa, Amerika und Asien auf und war zu Gast bei unzähligen Festivals (Deutsches Jazz Festival Frankfurt, Leverkusener Jazztage, North Sea Jazz Festival, Dublin, Imatra, Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto, Bangalore...)
Neben seiner Tätigkeit als konzertierender Künstler arbeitet er seit vielen Jahren als Dozent, Coach und Mental Trainer an den Kunst- und Musikhochschulen in Köln und Arnheim.
Er ist Autor der Bücher ‘Practising Without Problems - Mental Training For (Jazz)Musicians’ und ‘Creativity & Everyday Life - A Mental Guide Not Only For Artists & Musicians’. Als Workshopleiter war Michael Gustorff tätig an Hochschulen in Wien, Berlin, Essen, Leipzig, Freiburg, Dresden, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Gent, Antwerpen, Barcelona, Seoul, Riga ...
Mit seiner lockeren, freundlichen Art gelingt es ihm immer wieder, Studenten, Dozenten und Amateure zu bewegen, neue Möglichkeiten des Lernens und Lehrens auszuprobieren.
English - Deutsch - Nederlands
Nederlands Perstekst Trainer
Michael Gustorff (geboren 1958 in Leverkusen, Duitsland)
behoort inmiddels als speler en als leraar tot de belangrijkste jazzviolisten in Europa.
Met stilistisch uiteenlopende bands, zoals The GUST, Dick de Graaf Septet, Trio Nuevo, Radio Big Band Berlijn, Radio Big Band Frankfurt .... speelde hij in Europa, Amerika en Azië en trad op een aantal belangrijke festivals op. (North Sea Jazz Festival, Deutsches Jazz Festival Frankfurt, Leverkusener Jazztage, Dublin, Imatra, Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto, Bangalore ....)
Daarnaast werkt hij als docent, mental trainer en coach aan het ArtEZ Conservatorium in Arnhem en de ‘Hochschule für Musik und Tanz’ in Keulen.
Hij schreef de boeken ‘Practising Without Problems - Mental Training For (Jazz)Musicians’ en ‘Creativity & Everyday Life - A Mental Guide Not Only For Artists & Musicians’ en gaf over deze onderwerpen workshops op conservatoria en hogescholen in Wenen, Berlijn, Essen, Leipzig, Freiburg, Dresden, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Gent, Antwerpen, Barcelona, Seoul en Riga.
Bookings
