Pianist Kenny Werner has released Becoming the Instrument: Lessons on Self-Mastery from Music to Life (Sweet Lo Press, New York; 268p). Filled with valuable insights, uplifting anecdotes and practical exercises drawn from Werner’s 40 years of studying, performing and teaching, the new book is a long-awaited followup to his landmark publication Effortless Mastery (1996), which revolutionized how musicians approach their craft and remains one of the most widely read books on music and improvisation. In Becoming the Instrument: Lessons on Self-Mastery from Music to Life, Werner shares more of his valuable insights on how to access the spiritual in order to become more spontaneous, fearless, joyful and disciplined in work and daily life — whether you’re a practicing musician or not.
Tama has unveiled its Limited Edition Starclassic Walnut/Birch kit. This latest design features an outer ply of Tamo ash and combines a natural finish with the intense figuring of the shells, allowing the full scope of the complex natural grain to shine through. This appearance is further complemented by the use of satin gold hardware throughout. The tom shells are 6mm thick and consist of four plies of birch, two inner plies of American black walnut and a single outer ply of Tamo ash. The bass drum is 8mm thick, constructed with five plies of birch, two inner plies of American black walnut and one outer ply of Tamo ash.
