WorkshopLive interview with Susan Mazer
Started: Age 8 in 1971
Styles: Folk/rock, fingerstyle/blues
Instruments: Guitar, piano, vocals
Education: BA Music, Hartt College of Music and Grad Work in Theory Pedagogy
When did you start to play? I started to play around age 8. My babysitter brought over her guitar and I was hooked. She let me borrow it and I slept with it for weeks. She taught me "Go Tell Aunt Roadie” and I played it until my fingers bled. I remember that I was big at that time. I thought it was great to see a woman playing an instrument rather than just singing.
When did you start to notice that your playing was different from everyone else's? When did you find your voice as a player? In junior high school the kids used to gather around me when I was playing the guitar. My friend and I had a little duo. We wrote a song for our fathers, and found ourselves playing and singing it on a local TV show "AM Philadelphia”. The entire school watched us on TV. From that point on I knew that music was the thing that brought me the most joy in life. I don't think I found my voice as a player until after college. I tried so many different styles and finally found my own when there wasn't anyone leading me in different directions.
How do you keep your playing fresh? My students help to keep my playing fresh. They come in wanting to learn so many different artists and styles that I find myself exposed to new things.
What do you do when you get stuck? When I get stuck on a piece and I just can't seem to play it correctly, I walk away for a while. When I come back with a clear head I can usually work through it.
What do you still find hard to do? The best thing you can do is to play with people who are better than you are. I still have to fight the urge to be intimidated and run away. Instead, I try to be sponge and learn from them.
How often are you surprised by your playing, or what you're listening to, or music in general? I'm usually very critical of myself when I'm playing. Sometimes I'm surprised when I listen back to a recording of myself. It's hard not to judge yourself. Every once in a while I'll listen back and think, "Did I play that?”
Do you have a regular practice regimen? Do you have a practice "tool-kit" - metronome, tuner, recorder, etc.? I don't have a regular practice schedule. If I practice when I feel like it, rather than when I've scheduled it, I'm a lot more productive. I always leave my guitar out of the case on a stand. That way five or ten minutes here or there add up and I find myself with a lot of additional practice time. I'm lucky to have a music room in my home. I have all of my music, a tape recorder, a music stand and accessories around me. I'm also lucky to have a big window to look out of. Instead of being distracting, I find it inspirational.
Is there a piece of gear you just can't live without? My father bought me a Martin guitar when I was 13 years old. That D35 and a thumb pick are my favorite things.
Are there one or two core ideas that are central to your teaching that you make sure every student learns? I always put cheese sauce on their broccoli. I try to give them all of the music and information that they have to learn, along with all the information and music that they want to learn. You have to be flexible. I also try to remember back to what it was like not to know the concept that I'm teaching. Start from square one and don't take anything for granted.
Do you find yourself returning to listen to the artists who inspired you when you first started to play? Who are they? Yes and no. I still listen to Chet Atkins, Bonnie Raitt, John Fahey, Johnny Winter, etc. I still listen to singer/songwriters, but more current artists rather than the ones from the 70's.
Does your playing change when you switch instruments? Yes. You are just pulled to play different things with different instruments in your hands.
How often, when you're playing, do you find those moments of pure music, when your head is clear, your fingers are working, there are no distractions, and it's just you and the music? Those moments come a lot when I play with my duo partner. It feels like everything just clicks together and the perfect sound comes out. I don't know how often they come, but when they do, you remember why you chose this career. How many people can get a natural high from their work? Not too many.
What music would you suggest for your students? Guy Van Duser is a fantastic fingerstyle player. Check him out. Also listen to Patti Griffin. Although she's becoming a fairly well known singer/songwriter, I think everyone should own "Living With Ghosts”.
What are you listening to these days? Do you search out music that's new and unfamiliar to you? I'm always listening to new things, although I should be more adventurous in what I buy! I think I have CD's of Tom Waits, Cassandra Wilson, Patti Griffin and Lenny Breau/Chet Atkins in my car right now. Nothing too new.
Do you have a musical wish list - other instruments to learn, people to play with, artists or styles to explore? I'd love to learn to play pedal steel guitar. Along with that I'd like to better my slide playing. I'd also like to play the cello someday.
What make a great teacher? Being articulate, caring, flexible, and patient.
How do you learn best? I learn best with visual and auditory examples. I like my music written out, but I also like the teacher to explain it verbally and show me on the instrument. Then I prefer to take it home and really hash through it alone.
visit Susan at www.susanmazermusic.com
