Created by award-winning classical guitarist, Peter Pakhomkin, this podcast features thought-provoking discussions with a variety of creatives. In each episode, we delve deep into the insights and strategies of our guests as they discuss their unique perspectives on the challenges of the arts industry.
Building Your Practice Routine
This is a solo episode where I talk about four essential components that are often overlooked by musicians when they put all of their attention on practicing their repertoire. I go into detail about the differences between warm-ups and technical exercises. I also mention the importance of being a great sight-reader and using comparative listening to develop your most important asset, your ears!
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7/31/2023 • 15 minutes, 22 seconds
Virtuosity as a Habit
In this solo episode, I talk about the importance of playing very lightly with minimal tension for musicians. This is what will ultimately make you a virtuoso performer. I also share a my converse learning method for getting rid of recurring bad habits in your technique.
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7/29/2023 • 9 minutes, 26 seconds
A Symphony for the Self-Taught
Breaking Strings is back this week and we're talking about the benefits and drawbacks of being a self-taught musician. It's such a stigma in the classical arts realm to avoid the formal training route. I thought I would chime in with my thoughts since I come from both the background of being self-taught and formal classical training.
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7/25/2023 • 18 minutes, 20 seconds
Strength in Song with Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer
The Grammy Award-winning folk duo Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer are on the show this week talking about their new musical, "All Wigged Out." The musical tells the story of Marcy's 7-year battle with cancer and the neuropathy from her cancer treatments. You can find it world-wide at Broadway on Demand.
Visit Cathy and Marcy's website:
www.cathymarcy.com
Support Breaking Strings Podcast here:
https://ko-fi.com/breakingstrings
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6/30/2023 • 21 minutes, 2 seconds
The Benefits of Yoga for Musicians with Ben Beirs
In this episode, I have a another chat with Berlin-based American guitarist and yoga practitioner Ben Beirs. We talk about mindfulness and other yoga-derived skills that can help musicians avoid certain common pitfalls and frustrations.
www.instagram.com/benbeirs
www.instagram.com/emaho.yoga
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6/25/2023 • 24 minutes, 58 seconds
Abroad in India with Guitarist Matt Bacon
Matt Bacon is an American classical guitarist, composer, and head of guitar faculty at KM Music Conservatory in Chennai, India.
You can hear his composition "Homage to Jimmy Page" here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mmfjwBdwjw
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6/19/2023 • 27 minutes, 57 seconds
Work/Passion Balance with Guitarist Gohar Vardanyan
Breaking Strings welcomes back New York-based Armenian classical guitar virtuoso Gohar Vardanyan. We talk about our maestro Manuel Barrueco, the importance of enjoying your work, and Gohar gives me insight into how she learned the guitar at 5-years-old.
www.goharvardanyan.com
www.instagram.com/goharguitar
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5/27/2023 • 30 minutes, 26 seconds
When Perfection Becomes a Flaw
In this solo episode I talk about Michael Phelps, changing your musical approach with age, and the damage of perfectionism. I also tell a joke that might only be funny to musicians and I answer a listener letter about moving on from a sub-par musical performance.
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5/21/2023 • 24 minutes, 20 seconds
Broadening Your Skills for Musical Success with Grace Elmer
Today's guest is Grace Elmer, an associate classical guitar professor at Jacobs School in Indiana, member of the guitar duo G20, and public speaker. In the episode we on chat about recovering recovering from a serious hand injury, flamenco guitar, and playing guitar in operas.
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5/17/2023 • 30 minutes, 10 seconds
Night-time Productivity and Visualization
In this episode, I talk about using exercise and deliberate cold exposure for staying alert and productive in an exhausted state. I also dive into some of the details of visualization technique.
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5/7/2023 • 9 minutes, 34 seconds
Everyone Should Be Recording
In this solo episode, I talk about the benefits of recording your pieces in your practice sessions.
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4/26/2023 • 8 minutes, 47 seconds
Strategies for Productive Practicing
In this solo episode, I give some of my favorite strategies to guarantee improvement every time you sit down with the instrument.
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4/24/2023 • 16 minutes, 27 seconds
The Artistry of Videogame Sound Design with Doug Walters
Doug Walters is an Associate Sound Designer for the videogame audio company Hexany Audio, two-time Billboard top-10 songwriter and owner of Make More Records. In this episode, we discuss his path from being the lead singer of one of my favorite melodic rock bands Red Wire Black Wire to working in the gaming industry.
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