Maximizing Creativity: How to Workshop Music Effectively

This morning, I pulled out music to practice, and on one piece, it said, "Workshop it." I laughed because this is a jazz ensemble piece, and I am in no way a jazz harpist. I stumbled through this piece like a Steve Erkle episode.

When I rehearsed with the ensemble and we hit a tough part, the band leader would say, "Let's workshop it." This phrase stuck with me, and I liked it so much that I wrote it on my music.

"Let's Workshop it" felt like a mini adventure into the piece, while " Let's Work on It" felt like something was wrong and we needed to fix it. Who knew the difference between "let's work on it" and "let's workshop it" would spark such different responses? Now, the phrase "workshop it" is written on a Post-it note stuck to my stand. (For those that don't know, I'm a Post-it junky)

View your setbacks as your own private workshops, rather than something wrong that must be fixed. You'll be more curious and excited, rather than feeling low-key, inadequate, and stressed.

What will you workshop today?

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Workshop: a class or series of classes in which a small group of people learn the methods and skills used in doing something.