Effortless Mastery Testimonials

Kenny,

Your concert at the University of Texas at Tyler came along at the time in my life when I was near the point of complete burnout working to finish my piano degree. Your book described me perfectly – completely tied up in knots due to my fear-based approach to music and practicing. After reading and applying the principles in Effortless Mastery for one week, I experienced changes that were nothing short of miraculous. Once I was able to let go and set my ego aside, I accomplished a critical portion of my repertoire requirements in a fraction of the time it would have ordinarily taken me following my old patterns. For the first time in years I have hope that I will not only complete this degree, but will once again _enjoy_ my passion for music. I am profoundly thankful for the impact that you and your book have had on my life.

Hey Kenny,
I have so loved your book for years now. I have turned a number of fellow band mates as well as some of my tennis students on to your magical book also. (I am a saxophone playing tennis pro) I was wondering if you have any plans to offer your book in “book on tape” form? Your voice is very soothing and I would love to listen to you read Effortless Master y on my way to and from gigs…Would help move me to that inner state from which inspired playing arises.
Thanks,
Dave Todoroff

I would fall into the category of the musician who lived one life, and is now walking the path that music is paving. I am forty years old, and I my base nature has always been to walk the path less traveled. As a child, I would purposely do things differently because I was not satisfied with what everybody else was doing. I lost sight of that desire and for several years I walked a path that had everything to do with appearances (I sought the American Dream), but had nothing to do my individual purpose; I let fear rather than Faith rule. In 2004, I started down the path that was not traveled, and I have been Blessed. Your book (Effortless Mastery) has served as a road sign, that has reaffirmed that I am heading in the right direction. Thank You.

I have been enjoying these missives from Kenny for awhile now, and am amazed there actually is a person in the world who is so gifted as a musician who is also willing to share his secrets with others striving to achieve their goals.

These broadcasts and communications have been very valuable to me in terms of getting to a better place with my music. Last night it was very magical when I played at a place and didn’t expect a violinist to show up for sure, but she did. I was concerned about getting the music just right, as she is highly disciplined and trained in classical music. This tends to intimidate me as I wonder if I am up to playing into this level of training.

However, I have been applying the ideas of Kenny Werner in my practicing, and taking steps each day to get better.

The music that happened last nite was magical, and some of the things I was writing really appealed to the violinist, who was also very amazed at how strong I have been getting. She is coming back to another place I play tonite and now I am nervous all over again worrying that the magic was only a fluke and how can it happen that way the next nite?

I will start practicing now and get some things ready.

Amanda

I walked up to my first musical instrument, the marimba, at 59. Instantly I “got”
that I didn’t have a clue, couldn’t hear rhythms, let alone play them… I didn’t even
know the notes of the C scale. YET I was soon compelled to “try” to learn to play
the marimba. It was excruciating, frustrating, mysterious, all of it… with moments of
joy. I wondered why would anyone want to continue to go down a path that felt so
pain filled. THEN a good friend said that there was this book, EFFORTLESS MASTERY…
which I am reading, digesting, reading, feeling… I am soon to be 65… and Kenny put the light on why I have continued with this instrument and will continue from a much kinder place.

This book has truly been a godsend! I have played since age 5 and studied music all my life ( I am now 50). I used to get up at 5 in the morning when I first started playing piano- I loved it, Somewhere along the way I started needing to be great all the time- for all the reasons you so eloquently describe in your book and DVD. This has caused me deep personal anguish over the years and debilitating self- consciousness. I feel like I have been let out of a cage- though when the “moments” happen I want to hang on to them and then they are gone. It is sometimes like trying to catch a butterfly. I feel like your book has put me back on the path of the reason I started- the love of music and specifically the piano. I look forward to finishing the book and rediscovering what I have inside that has wanted to come out for a long time.

Many Thanks for your insights!!

Kenny,

I first came to Effortless Mastery in the middle of College, about 10 years ago. The music hallway was humming with the sounds of Asian kids playing classical music I felt I would never be able to touch. As a jazz pianist there, this disturbed me a lot and kept me from being able to practice one thing, let alone have the THOUGHT that I can only practice one thing at a time. So this came to me at a crucial moment when I desperately needed simplicity and focus, and joy back in my playing. It completely changed my playing and my life in general. I no longer felt haunted by dead players and surrounded by those still living. 10 years later, I come back to it as a necessary point of departure. And I thank you for wording these ideas so eloquently.

P.S. Please come to Minneapolis again!

Hi Kenny,
I recently purchased your book “Effortless Mastery”. I have owned the book for about a week now and began implementing the techniques immediately.

I just wanted to thank you so much for writing such an invaluable book! I can hear a drastic improvement already. I have been singing and playing guitar for 10 years now and I just received my first “WOW!” from a listener, which of course encouraged me to share my music with more people and to my great surprise I have kept getting the same exciting response!

I am so happy to feel comfortable sharing music with others now and I am even more excited to continue using your methods. It feels so great to be a part of the universal flow of music. I cannot thank you enough!!!

Thank you!!!
Sincerely,
Christie Drahnak

I loved the book and the DVD! I was practicing step 2 and just playing whatever came out. I have no idea what I even played. My husband was in the room and when I stopped he said, “Did you memorize all that?” It really works!