Ellison is a fantastic writer, he penned a couple of memorable Star Trek and Outer Limit episodes, as well.
koji
Off-topic, I know, but what you said here koji, is wonderfull:
What musical advice would you give to young pianists today?If I may somewhat paraphrase a statement made by a movie director that really struck me:
“There is no one path, no one-size-fits-all method to follow. It’s not like becoming a dentist, going to dental school for ‘x’ amount of years, and then going into that line of work. The music ‘business’ is based on a lot of intangible things, like instinct, talent, effort, persistence, and a belief in yourself. So the real answer is what works for me, I promise you will not work for you, and what worked for the other guy isn’t going to work for you either. You have to find your own path to follow, you have to create your own path to follow, which is why it’s so scary for people, and why they’re so uncertain about approaching a career. A music ‘career’ is not necessarily something you earn with your diploma from a conservatory or university, a career is built (unless you’re fortunate enough to have a wealthy backer) upon an endless chain of fluky circumstances generated by your efforts and your persistence. Luck has a lot to do with it, but you manufacture your own luck by working very hard for it. There is no getting there in three easy lessons, such a thing simply doesn’t exist, but you can get there—eventually. If you believe in it, even though people will try to talk you out of it, and try to convince you it’s not possible. It just depends on how hard you are willing to believe in it, how much you’re willing to work for it, and what you’re willing to invest in it in terms of your effort, belief and your time. Above all, try to enjoy the process, rather than the ultimate goal.”
Topic: 'I have no mouth and I must scream'. -Harlan Ellison