I found this advice on Boingboing.net a few days ago. I felt it was great advice worth sharing, and I am “grading” all my students by this standard this week.
Over at Orange Crate Art, Michael Leddy quotes this terrific advice from graphic designer Milton Glaser on avoiding toxic people:
“There is a test to determine whether someone is toxic or nourishing in your relationship with them. Here is the test: You have spent some time with this person, either you have a drink or go for dinner or you go to a ball game. It doesn’t matter very much but at the end of that time you observe whether you are more energised or less energised. Whether you are tired or whether you are exhilarated. If you are more tired then you have been poisoned. If you have more energy you have been nourished.”
About the Author
Brittany Frompovich is a well-respected bassist, vocalist, songwriter and music educator. She has performed regularly in the Mid-Atlantic region for 20 years. Brittany is actively exploring chord melody bass, developing original songs and arrangements of covers. She graduated Cum Laude from Bloomsburg University in 1995 with a Bachelors degree in Music. She relocated to Virginia in 1997, where she began an active music career that blended teaching, writing, subbing, and gigging. Since then, Brittany has run a wide ranging gamut of musical styles, including classic rock, contemporary rock, original Celtic rock, classical, folk, singer-songwriter, R&B, traditional Celtic and Civil War music, funk, Latin, fusion, and big band jazz. She has been published in several prominent trade magazines and Internet journals. In June 1993, Songwriter's Monthly printed her article on creating a pop-filter for use in the home studio. In 1997, Bassics Magazine (Vol. VI No. 2) and Bass Frontiers On-line featured her interview with double bassist Edgar Meyer. In addition to being an accomplished electric and double bassist, Brittany is a capable guitarist, vocalist, and percussionist. She is also an exceptional, dedicated, and progressive music educator. Her teaching practice focuses on helping students become better human beings and helping students learn to express themselves through music. She is highly regarded and sought after for her work as a music educator. Ms. Frompovich is passionate about music and the bass, and she is always advancing her creative journey as a musician and as an educator.
by Ed Pearlman — Wed May 6, 2009 @ 9:41 pm
You can also apply the same test to an organization, an activity, a job, or even your practicing! When I leave certain rehearsals, I feel extremely energized. When I practice as outlined in "The Perfect Wrong Note" I feel energized. After singing the Verdi Requiem with Muti I felt like I could start at the very beginning and do it again!
Other times, a day job, a gig, a group of musicians are draining. Fire them, too!
by Klaus Georg — Thu May 7, 2009 @ 1:55 pm