What do you think?
Rate this book
Music Lessons
Bob Wiseman believes most things in life are universal or, as Lauryn Hill says, everything is everything. Bearing in mind that advice, Wiseman writes about finding the link between music and daily life, like what is common between Mary Margaret O’Hara, hiding around the corner with the lights turned off in order to record herself and his 5-year-old insisting he stop hurrying to her dance lesson and marvel at the fluff ball she is blowing toward the ceiling. Each entry is unique and compellingly written, but the themes throughout — on improvisational music, life lessons, and conflict — are ubiquitous.
- GenresNonfictionMusicEssays
293 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 6, 2020
8 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 20, 2020
Music Lessons
Music Lessons is a festival of free-association of the daily life experiences of a musician who uses music as his life’s filter. Through music runs the translations, ideas, perspectives and theories that pop up in his brain and out onto the page. These are subjects in his book, written in a no-holds-barred style - a charming, genuine, face-it-frankly, jaded-occasionally, kid-friendly, entrepreneurial, artist-wise presentation of life snapshots. Specifically, written snapshots of whatever bubbles up in his day, or observations that trigger past experience, or forward-facing wonders about the future.
The lessons include everything from incredible descriptions of how to practice circular breathing, to asides about what Sherlock Holmes’s observations would be on Bob’s writing. There is food commentary, opining on technique, name dropping, bits of travelogue, at home memories, and there truly are music lesson dialog with sassy, funny, sad, cute students, tons of instruments, recording sessions, shade on others, admiration of others, what it is like to work hard and not be appreciated, and what it is like to work hard and be appreciated. He’s clever and changes it up, the titles of some snippets are the cleverest part of the snippet, and some of these snippets I want to embroider on pillows they are that profound.
As an old hippie with 5 guitars, and having written songs myself, I loved best the time the author spent discussing the writing process, composing, nuancing, performing, changing, riffing, ad libbing, and making stuff up on the fly. It is his superpower, I think. That and encouraging his students to keep on keeping on. . . keep practicing, keep writing, keep trying, keep fighting against the big Quit. He’s unruly at times, appreciates performance from wherever it comes (See Cat Power), and he shares a plethora of jokes. There are computer issues, interviews, fights and fruits (watermelon, oranges, etc.) All worthy topics. I enjoyed the back-and-forthing dialogues, some with happy endings, some not.
Absolutely relentless its format, the book spills one “lesson” after another, after another, after another, until a reader can begin to hear the different keys, rhythms and beats that hold them all together. Because of the title I thought this was a book about teaching music, but there is a bigger arc than that, I think. That bigger arc has to do with Bob, himself, and being musically interactive, practicing his craft in his eras of time, and spreading his music-prints throughout regions of the world, all while being human. (That’s a bigger arc, right?) It’s not really a book about teaching music. It’s really about music teaching Bob.
I enjoyed this book . . . .one you could read, put down awhile, and pick up reading wherever you wanted without missing a beat – never needing to go back and catch yourself up. . . .because upon opening the page, wherever you are, that's right where you'll find Bob.
4 stars, all breathing circularly, while I hum the grace notes in harmony.
A sincere thanks to Bob Wiseman, ECW Press and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Music Lessons is a festival of free-association of the daily life experiences of a musician who uses music as his life’s filter. Through music runs the translations, ideas, perspectives and theories that pop up in his brain and out onto the page. These are subjects in his book, written in a no-holds-barred style - a charming, genuine, face-it-frankly, jaded-occasionally, kid-friendly, entrepreneurial, artist-wise presentation of life snapshots. Specifically, written snapshots of whatever bubbles up in his day, or observations that trigger past experience, or forward-facing wonders about the future.
The lessons include everything from incredible descriptions of how to practice circular breathing, to asides about what Sherlock Holmes’s observations would be on Bob’s writing. There is food commentary, opining on technique, name dropping, bits of travelogue, at home memories, and there truly are music lesson dialog with sassy, funny, sad, cute students, tons of instruments, recording sessions, shade on others, admiration of others, what it is like to work hard and not be appreciated, and what it is like to work hard and be appreciated. He’s clever and changes it up, the titles of some snippets are the cleverest part of the snippet, and some of these snippets I want to embroider on pillows they are that profound.
As an old hippie with 5 guitars, and having written songs myself, I loved best the time the author spent discussing the writing process, composing, nuancing, performing, changing, riffing, ad libbing, and making stuff up on the fly. It is his superpower, I think. That and encouraging his students to keep on keeping on. . . keep practicing, keep writing, keep trying, keep fighting against the big Quit. He’s unruly at times, appreciates performance from wherever it comes (See Cat Power), and he shares a plethora of jokes. There are computer issues, interviews, fights and fruits (watermelon, oranges, etc.) All worthy topics. I enjoyed the back-and-forthing dialogues, some with happy endings, some not.
Absolutely relentless its format, the book spills one “lesson” after another, after another, after another, until a reader can begin to hear the different keys, rhythms and beats that hold them all together. Because of the title I thought this was a book about teaching music, but there is a bigger arc than that, I think. That bigger arc has to do with Bob, himself, and being musically interactive, practicing his craft in his eras of time, and spreading his music-prints throughout regions of the world, all while being human. (That’s a bigger arc, right?) It’s not really a book about teaching music. It’s really about music teaching Bob.
I enjoyed this book . . . .one you could read, put down awhile, and pick up reading wherever you wanted without missing a beat – never needing to go back and catch yourself up. . . .because upon opening the page, wherever you are, that's right where you'll find Bob.
4 stars, all breathing circularly, while I hum the grace notes in harmony.
A sincere thanks to Bob Wiseman, ECW Press and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 18, 2021
I found these pieces to be interesting, even though some of the references made to musicians and music went over my head. I had to get out of bed and Google one of them, because I knew I knew it - I just couldn’t place it. This was an enjoyable read, however, a little long for me.
April 25, 2020
This book was such a comfort during these stressful times. Each tale felt like something I could hear a friend telling me happened to them or a friend of theirs. It was like I had some degree of personal knowability to them.
August 14, 2020
Music Lessons by Bob Wiseman is a series of short, unrelated vignettes that is a page-turner on par with the most suspenseful cliffhangers. When I first picked it up I opened to the middle and started reading. A half-hour later I realized I hadn’t moved. I was still standing, leaning against the wall in my dining room turning page after page, utterly transfixed.
The subject matter is all over the map - the only real thread that runs throughout the book is style, and what a style! Wiseman’s random conversations become parables, his musical observations turn into sage-like analogies, a walk through the park reads like a Zen koan. Taken together Music Lessons is a look over the shoulder of one of Canada’s most notorious artistic minds and it’s fascinating through and through.
I don’t know if it’s the way he thinks or if it’s the way he writes about what he thinks, but in my opinion both “author” and “sage” can now be added to the long list that invariably follows the name of the musician/songwriter/filmmaker/composer/producer.
The subject matter is all over the map - the only real thread that runs throughout the book is style, and what a style! Wiseman’s random conversations become parables, his musical observations turn into sage-like analogies, a walk through the park reads like a Zen koan. Taken together Music Lessons is a look over the shoulder of one of Canada’s most notorious artistic minds and it’s fascinating through and through.
I don’t know if it’s the way he thinks or if it’s the way he writes about what he thinks, but in my opinion both “author” and “sage” can now be added to the long list that invariably follows the name of the musician/songwriter/filmmaker/composer/producer.
August 17, 2020
Time is the only thing you have...
So spend it Wiseman!
Bob Wiseman's recent book "Music Lessons" is a book you will never regret spending your time with. It lightly and charmingly treads into subject matter that we contemplate daily, such as, our children's view of the world, how important it is to tell the truth, and then how it is received, how art exists in the hand of the individual maker, and how that creative kind if career stumbles through various social and business scenarios.
As a musician myself, I feel that this book keeps me company in realms that can be very isolating, not unlike a special and unique friend. This being said, I feel that music is the lens that Wiseman writes through, and that the observations, hilarity, sorrow, and beauty are made accessible, and will touch your heart, no matter how you have chosen to spend your days here on earth, and what you call yourself.
I personally endorse this, and I encourage you to take the plunge, and acquire this lovely piece of art.
So spend it Wiseman!
Bob Wiseman's recent book "Music Lessons" is a book you will never regret spending your time with. It lightly and charmingly treads into subject matter that we contemplate daily, such as, our children's view of the world, how important it is to tell the truth, and then how it is received, how art exists in the hand of the individual maker, and how that creative kind if career stumbles through various social and business scenarios.
As a musician myself, I feel that this book keeps me company in realms that can be very isolating, not unlike a special and unique friend. This being said, I feel that music is the lens that Wiseman writes through, and that the observations, hilarity, sorrow, and beauty are made accessible, and will touch your heart, no matter how you have chosen to spend your days here on earth, and what you call yourself.
I personally endorse this, and I encourage you to take the plunge, and acquire this lovely piece of art.
June 4, 2024
This is a fun little book that is like reading someone’s journal. It consists of quips, quotes, anecdotes, thoughts and bits of humor from a uniquely fresh and imaginative mind. It is entertaining, funny, thoughtful and creative. Such an uplifting, stress vacuum! I thoroughly enjoyed Wiseman’s daily writings and musings over his experiences and slices of life. So observant and reflective without dragging or weighing the reader down. I love his brain!! Read and enjoy! My preferred rating would be 3.5.
August 14, 2020
Once I have I read a book I give it away except for a very select few that I covet. I revisit authors who aid my personal growth.
Bob Wiseman's book, Music Lessons, is one of these rare books. If I told you why I would have to write a book.
Bob Wiseman's book, Music Lessons, is one of these rare books. If I told you why I would have to write a book.
December 2, 2020
Read this book in delicious bite size pieces, on breaks at work. Bob Wiseman proves indeed to be a genius storyteller. This one reads like a long meandering walk that leaves one feeling quite enriched by a brilliant thinking sort of mind and wit, in the best possible way.
January 3, 2021
Awesome viewpoint of an artists artist
Highly recommended for people interested in the arts and academia. A truly narcissistic point of view which feels very real and as Bob Wiseman says the improvisation is where the truth lies.
Highly recommended for people interested in the arts and academia. A truly narcissistic point of view which feels very real and as Bob Wiseman says the improvisation is where the truth lies.
June 13, 2023
Intelligent and features nuggets of wisdom. However, the overall tone is quite cynical even if humorous. I felt it was a bit of a slog when I was just looking for positivity. Lately I need fellow artists to lift me up, not give me more reasons to drag my creative feet.
March 23, 2024
ECW press published a book by Colin Thatcher, and Bob Wiseman. these are entries from his blog. that's super lazy. Publishing hits new lows in canada. Nope.
September 22, 2020
Alternately hilarious, wise, touching and always insightful, on music, people and life. Worth the read for the list of types of songs, WTF Stanley? And backing vocals with BNL.
May 23, 2020
The premise of the book is short vignettes, each ostensibly somehow related to music -- many drawn personally from the life and career of Canadian musician Bob Wiseman. I wanted to like this book, and there are a few nuggets of wisdom in it. But you really have to mine the stream-of-consciousness-style of the book to find them -- the writing style was very difficult for me to read (one of the notes I wrote to myself: "allergic to commas"), and the only reason I finished it was feeling obligated to write a review for Net Galley, which provided an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Read
April 21, 2025A lot of stories, jokes, and discussions through the lens of musicianship and improvisation.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews