Author Archives: Justin Locke

When I was a young beginner bass student, I was subjected to the usual motivational methods that tend to be used on high school music students generally. Simply stated, mistakes were shameful things. Every time you made a mistake, this … Continue reading →

Here in America we use the word “freedom” a lot. We talk about freedom as being our most important possession. But what does this mean exactly? To paraphrase Peter Drucker, there is a big difference between “freedom” and “license.” When … Continue reading →

When I started writing my second book, “Principles of Applied Stupidity,” I must confess to you, I wasn’t really conscious of what I was trying to do. The things I was discussing in the book were so taboo that I … Continue reading →

A few years ago, a big corporation hired me to produce some orchestral recording sessions. I had to hire about 85 musicians to come in for two afternoons of fairly intense work. Now I will let you in on an … Continue reading →

Many years ago I was hired to play the bass for a performance of Handel’s Messiah. At the first rehearsal, when I opened the sheet music, I noticed something very odd: Every single quarter note in that bass part (and … Continue reading →

In the social media era, we are constantly inundated with well intended aphorisms that offer encouragement, e.g., to reach for a dream, and to dare to “be more” and “believe in ourselves.” These are all well intended statements, but I … Continue reading →

All too often, people who advocate for “arts education” will buttress their arguments by making references to various scientific studies. These studies correlate the playing of musical instruments with superior academic performance, or brain development, etc. And that seems to … Continue reading →

10. You seek control instead of mutual trust 9. You are more interested in following procedure and process than you are in defining purpose 8. You fear failure 7. You fear being “imperfect” 6. You believe it is possible to … Continue reading →

So I have an epiphany to share re: “finding one’s purpose.” While most of us seek to “realize” our true selves and our full inner potential, there is a contradiction afoot, in that, our true self is a very sensitive creature.  It … Continue reading →