Blog – Page 3 – Nathan Montgomery

n8monti March 12, 2019November 29, 2019Beginner, Guitar, Learning, Process, Reflection, Student, Teacher, Teaching

Reflections on Learning and Teaching

Recently I have been adding new students to my teaching roster. People come in at all age levels and all abilities. My youngest student today was just nine years old and he had never picked up a guitar before. Teaching a nine year old who has essentially no concept of how to play an instrument, or even think about playing an instrument, is a unique challenge. It makes you revisit your own learning process. I started guitar when I … Continue reading “Reflections on Learning and Teaching”

n8monti March 11, 2019November 29, 2019Balance, Canine, Companion, Dog, Dogs, Life, Simple, Simplicity

Balance

Balance is difficult to attain, but in theory it’s simple. I have been taking care of my uncle’s dog this weekend. He is a very pleasant companion. Dogs are better than humans at living simple lives. Bruno embodies this simplicity in the best way. Bruno needs a walk every day. Yesterday was a lovely sunny day. Today it was rainy and slushy. Either way Bruno needs to get out and stretch his legs. He expects it. He tells you when … Continue reading “Balance”

n8monti March 10, 2019November 29, 2019Fiction, Short, Story, Surrealist

A Cycle

…It was only out of boredom (and a nagging feeling of loneliness) that Henrí Bazín decided to start the project. His time for leisure was abundant, having just finished the sculpture of the chancelor’s wife, which had been commissioned last April. Bazín decide it was time to take on his own venture and, in a few months, he finally completed his vision. A sculpture; considered by many to be the epitome of his work. The figurine was of Bazín himself … Continue reading “A Cycle”

n8monti March 9, 2019November 29, 2019Art, Artist, Canada, Educational, Film, Norman McLaren, See, Sounds, Spotlight, Synesthesia

Artist Spotlight: Norman McLaren

Can you see sounds? Some people can! Synesthesia is a condition where one sensory pathway directly affects another. The most well-known example may be the ability to see colors and other visuals when hearing sounds. Norman McLaren had this condition. He was also one of the most influential filmmakers of the 20th century. McLaren is best known for his early experimental films, where he produced all images and sounds solely by drawing directly on film with pen. Abstract shapes dance … Continue reading “Artist Spotlight: Norman McLaren”

n8monti March 8, 2019November 29, 2019Change, Frustration, Red Tape, Resilience, Threats to Democracy

Frustrations

Are you tired of polarized world of social media? Exhausted from reading article after depressing article? Depressed from spending too much time scrolling ? Frustrated with misinformation? Me. Too. How do we focus on ourselves when we are living in a chaotic political landscape with a turbulent economy and rampant social inequality? We are being bombarded with media, facts are either hard to identify or ignored, and our planet is becoming less and less hospitable for humans. So what’s the … Continue reading “Frustrations”

n8monti March 7, 2019November 29, 2019Authenticity, Block, Communication, Effort, Miles Davis, Practice, Reflection, Time, Value, Writing

Time and Effort

How do you beat writer’s block? Do you take a walk? Do you make some tea? Do you phone a friend? Do you clasp your hands together, put them behind your head, and let out a frustrated sigh as you lean back into your chair, feeling completely dull and stonewalled both by infinite possibilities and personal limitations? I may be having this problem right now. Maybe you are too. A good solution is to free-write in the mornings! This can … Continue reading “Time and Effort”

n8monti March 6, 2019May 16, 2020#Santería, Concerts, Gilberto Morales, Lawrence University, Lucumí, Matanzas, NPR, Palo, Pedrito Martínez, Son

Artist Spotlight: Pedrito Martínez

Today I want to give a shout out to one of the most respected voices out of the New York Afro-Cuban scene! Born in Havana, Cuba, Pedrito Martínez was enamored by the Afro-Cuban music he heard on the street growing up. It is through these songs and rhythms that he eventually became initiated into the religion of Santería, continuing to master the musical practices that breathe life into the practice. In case you don’t know, Santería is a religion that … Continue reading “Artist Spotlight: Pedrito Martínez”

n8monti March 5, 2019November 29, 2019American, Experience, Gratitude, Immigration, Italian, Personal, Shoveling, Snow, Stories

Gratitude

Ten inches of snow fell last night in Massachusetts, so this morning was filled with the buzz of snowblowers. The morning after a storm always feel like a communal activity as each town works together to clear space for people and their cars to continue with their lives as usual. I suppose there’s a reason it’s called “The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.” Currently I am living in Arlington, MA with my Grandfather. It is the house that my Mom grew up … Continue reading “Gratitude”

n8monti March 3, 2019November 29, 2019Cambridge, Choy la Fut, Chronic, Daily, Growth, Improvement, Kung Fu, Pain, Personal, Tai Chi, Training, Wu Dao

Kung Fu is Every Day

Saturday mornings are my time. I get out of bed at 8:00 am and douse my body with water. First hot, then cold. I brush my teeth, change into my training uniform, eat some dried fruit and nuts and I am out the door. From there I am off to Cambridge for three hours of kung fu and tai chi. Because of a severe performance-related repetitive stress injury I sustained in 2015, I have been dealing with chronic pain, stiffness, … Continue reading “Kung Fu is Every Day”

n8monti March 2, 2019November 29, 2019Aha, Arts, Connect, Education, Growth, Month, Music, Personal, Reflection, Writing

Writing Month

Hello world! This month I am going to be writing daily blog posts. I am going to focus on sharing content that excites me and has an educational focus. There will probably be some introspective moments too. I want to become a resource for performers, arts educators, arts administrators, arts consumers and hobbyists, and anyone else who wants to learn and engage. Here’s what I have been thinking about today: Recently I have been working as a guitar educator at … Continue reading “Writing Month”