The books and CDs of Michael Gustorff have been sold in the Benelux, Germany, Ireland, England, Norway, Sweden, Finland, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Rumania, Serbia, Latvia, Russia, Israel, Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, India, Taiwan, Korea and China.

Book 1

‘Practising without Problems - Mental Training for (Jazz)musicians’

80 pages, writtten in ‘easy’ English, € 14,80

Preface - Who is this Book for - How to Use this Book - Mental Preparation - Dealing with New Information - Getting Started -Practice Plans - While Practising - Practising Technique - Practising Jazz/Improvisation - Problems and Solutions -Teaching and being Taught - On Stage - Finally - Contemplation Collection - Appendix - Recommended Books - Acknowledgements - About the Author.

Illustrations by Mona Sabine Meis - Design by Han Halewijn

Printed by HP Nacke KG - Wuppertal, Germany.

The book can be ordered on this website.

Reviews and Comments:

'Practising Without Problems – Mental Training For (Jazz)Musicians'

Good book!

Lee Konitz, saxophone player

Michael Gustorff has organized the basics of practicing in a highly organized and simple presentation.

Dave Liebman, saxophone player

It’s a fresh and honest approach to how we (as musicians, teachers and students) can deal with practicing. The ideas are easy to assimilate.

John Taylor, piano player

The best book on the subject that offers advice on developing an efficient practicing mentality is Michael Gustorff’s ‘Practising Without Problems’.

Hal Galper, piano player

Receiving this book was well worth any extra fees!

Patrick C. Dorian, Associate Professor of Music East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

Highly recommended. A true learning experience!

Reviewed by: Lee Prosser, www.jazzreview.com

Thanks for writing such a wise & useful book. I look forward to using these ideas in my own practice as well as my students practice.

Alan Kaplan, trombone player

The book arrived and is helping already.

Jim Meehan, guitar player

A powerful side effect of the book is that every time I pick it up I get no further than a couple of paragraphs before I have to pick up my guitar and get to work!

Mike Bibby, guitar player

I really enjoyed reading your book and I will use it in my lessons at the conservatory in The Hague.

Niels Tausk, trumpet & bass player, teacher, coach

I want to thank you a lot for this book. It feels like a wonderful present!

Kerstin Koerte, mallet player

Your book was with me almost every day during the last two years. It was good, very good for me!

Giampiero Girolamo, piano player

I ordered your book again. I gave it to somebody and it never came back to me. This is what happens to good books.

Albert van Veenendaal, piano player, composer

It’s great fun reading your book

Stephan Braun, jazz celloplayer

Hey Michael, I put your books on the students reading list. I still like them very much.

Albert van Veenendaal, piano player, composer, teacher conservatory Utrecht

Book 2

‘Creativity & Everyday Life – A Mental Guide (Not Only) For Artists & Musicians’

56 pages, written in ‘easy’ English, €14,00

Illustrations by Mona Sabine Meis -
Design by Han Halewijn

Printed by HP Nacke KG - Wuppertal, Germany.

Introduction - Who is this book for? - Before we start - The Power of our Brain - Changing Something-Changing Ourselves - Learning - The Art of Healthy Repetition - Useful Memory - Some extra Tips - Energy - Focus - Long Term Planning - Attitude - The Power of Doubt - Short Term Action - Step by Step - Daily Routine - Weekly Routine - The Way We Work - The I-Company - Image - Problems, our (best) Friends - Internal Teachers - External Teachers - Mental Traps and Tips - Balance - The Realization of your Personality - Goodbye (Un)Happiness - What's your Contribution? - Finally - Appendix - Recommended Books - Acknowledgements - The Author - The Musician - The Program.

The book can be ordered on this website.

Reviews and Comments:

‘Creativity & Everyday Life – A Mental Guide (Not Only) For Artists & Musicians’

“Creativity & Everyday Life” is both clear and succinct. It provides concrete directions and advice; it asks questions and puts you to work. I can thoroughly recommend this “signpost” to not only students of creative subjects but also graduate artists.

Willem Hillenius, Director ArtEZ Institute of the Arts

It's an excellent book for young folks starting out!

Dave Liebman, Artistic Director IASJ (International Association of Schools of Jazz)

I read your books and want to thank you for putting so much natural wisdom into words.

Marcela Simons, student Codarts Rotterdam

I finished your book on the same day I got it. Great subject! 'Big issues' presented in manageable portions. Congratulations with your second book.

Ineke van Doorn, singer, teacher, author of the book 'Professioneel Zingen'

I just took a look at the book. It feels good!

Henk Haverhoek, bass player

I really like your new book, it's simple and clear. I hope that it will sell well! You deserve it!

Francesc Capella, piano player, teacher at the Esmuc, Barcelona

What a good book, Michael! I just started reading and I really like it. It’s very close to the way I work with my students.

Hartog Eysman, singer/songwriter

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed reading your books. I'm a 2nd year Jazz singing student at the ArtEZ Conservatory in Zwolle, and unfortunately I missed your workshops last month. After hearing so many positive reactions from my fellow students after your first day, I decided to buy your books to read about the stuff you talked about in the workshops (you might remember me, interrupting your class to buy the books). I've read them now, and as I said I just wanted to let you know that you reached another student with your stories. I also bumped into many of the problems you described, and I'm sure that your way of thinking will help me solve the problems in my best way.

Joep van Weert, singer

Hey Michael, I put your books on the students reading list. I still like them very much.

Albert van Veenendaal, piano player, composer, teacher conservatory Utrecht

CDs

‘The GUST - Gusting Out’

CD 2 - Gusting Out

- 5 originals somewhere between jazz & pop music

‘The GUST - A Gust Of Music’

- 10 originals somewhere between jazz & pop music

Here are some excerpts:

The CDs can be ordered here.

Reviews and Comments:

Interesting....very special.

Wim Stoppelenburg, composer

Beautiful CD... sounds very 'up-to-date'.

Heiner Gulich, saxophone player

Beautiful music, well produced... never boring. Congratulations!

Onno Kelk, guitar player

The compositions and arrangements are all beautiful. The sound is great. Your violin sound and your playing are superb, ‘very personal’ and I know I repeat myself - outstanding.

Andre Enthöfer, saxophonist/composer

Congratulations, sounds great!

Michiel Braam, piano player/composer

Beautiful CD. Some of the tunes and improvisations are outstanding.... would like to take a lesson from you.... I would like to order the next CD in advance. Ok?

Cor Mutser, guitar player

It’s good to listen to you again. Your songs are beautiful, never too long and your violin sound is very personal and ‘honest’.

Jasper LeClerq, jazz violin player/zapp4

I like the compositions, and the way the whole CD is built musically. There’s a good flow, nice sounds, overall freshness! So I’ll keep on listening ....

Tuuli Suominen, singer/songwriter/piano & jazz violin player

Fantastic, solid and straight .... in the way emotional players like to play and hear music. No stylistic barriers!

Stephan Schertler, www.schertler.com

An exciting combination of instruments and styles .... interesting compositions. The sound is wonderful. Congratulations!

Peter Huiying, guitar player

Something special. The music goes straight to the heart when you listen carefully.

Ella Hueting, head ArtEZ conservatory

A very good and successful adventure. Well produced! Beautiful!

Henk Bloemers, piano player

I listened to your CD several times and it’s growing every time. Every tune has its own atmosphere.

Hazel Leach, composer

Here is a list of other CDs Michael Gustorff plays on.