Business and Music - Paul Tobey

In regards to breaking the tinnitus habit, I recently received an email from a reader who writes…

“I try to keep myself busy and do things that i enjoy but it seems that my mind is always locked onto the sound. Are there any tips you can give me that helps break this habit? I’m at the point where I’m truly trying to accept my tinnitus and sometimes I can and other times I can’t. I know it can’t hurt me, but I fear that I will have to suffer the rest of my life with it.”

In answer to this question, “Are there any tips you can give me that helps break this habit?” I must first say that, most definitely, it is a habit to focus on Tinnitus. In fact, I suspect you’ve gotten so used to focusing on it all the time that it’s a habit that would be incredibly hard to break. But, not impossible!

So, how do you break a bad habit?

There is only one way to do this. Add habit forming positive routines to your day that are equally habit forming. When you do this, your new habits will override your old ones.

This process is much much easier when you are fully aware of your destination. Even though life is not about the destination but about the journey, knowledge of your true destination makes it easier to focus every day on doing something that leads you to that destination. When you do this your mind will turn away from the negative tinnitus and be turned towards doing what it is you really want to do.

What do you want? I’m mean really want? ie: fame, fortune, peace, success, money, companionship etc etc…. Take some time and figure out what it is you really want and then make daily habits that lead you to that destination. Good habits. Because, good habits are just as easily formed as bad ones.

Let’s step away from tinnitus for a second and talk about another easily formed bad habit. “Lack of Exercise” which is a big problem in Western Society. You know it amazes me when I ask people at the gym, “how are you?” or “how’s it going.” Most of the time I get the response, “not bad,” or “I’ll feel better when I’m done” or “I hate the gym and I can’t get out of here fast enough.”

For those people I know that I will see them very very infrequently. Why? Because, you can’t be good at something you hate. It’s impossible. When I first started going to the gym it was hard at first but I made it into a habit. Now, everyone around me knows that from 8:15 am to 10am every Monday, Wed and Friday I’m at the gym. No one questions that. Why? Because it’s a habit and everyone respects that. As a result, it’s something I can count on to give me time away from work, from family and friends to be by myself and doing something good for my body.

That’s how to make anything a habit. Learn to love what it is you don’t necessarily like to do, because it’s good for you! And, it is leading you to the destination of healthy living.

Now, let’s take a look at life. If I have a really big goal it makes it so much easier for me to form habits that chase that goal. What is my goal? To play at Carnegie Hall! Now that’s a big goal. Will I ever get there? Who’s to say, but I believe I will. But, even if I don’t, I’ll get 5,000 percent further than if I never adopted that goal or ever learned anything about actually achieving it. And, it doesn’t matter anyway. Why? Because I’m focused on the goal and forming good habit to meet that goal that takes my mind of the negative stuff like Tinnitus.

What’s the really good news? You tinnitus will actually get better (lower in volume) by not focusing on it. Trust me, I know this works.

One final word. Avoid saying things like, “I fear that I will have to suffer the rest of my life with it.” This is the worst thing that you can do is say something like that. Why? Because you’re focusing on what you don’t want…and you’re just going to get more of it whether you like it or not.

Right now, form a new habit by putting your intention forward and adopting new phrases like…”somewhere someone has been cured from their tinnitus, tomorrow it could be me.” The universe understands what you want and what you don’t want equally. When you weight your statements on the side of what you really want you’re going to get more of it!

I noticed that you downloaded my “6 Top Ways to Reduce the Ringing” eReport. You’re only on chapter 2. Have you adopted the first 2 lessons? Can and will you make them a habit. I promise that if you make them a habit you will heal over time.

Lessons 3 through 6 are also new habits to be formed. You must do them. If you do not take the initiative because of your “fear” then there is little I can do for you. But, I have a feeling that you can and you will adopt these habits. Your sanity depends on it.

Have a most happy, joyous and tinnitus-free day!

Paul Tobey

~ ~ ~
Paul Tobey is a concert pianist, composer and touring artist who has suffered from chronic tinnitus for over 7 years who found a path to recovery without medical intervention. He is also author of “A Practical Guide to Tinnitus Free Living”. For more information visit ==> Ringing In The Ears - Help For Ringing Ears
~ ~ ~

Nearly a third of the population suffers from Tinnitus; ringing in the ears. And, of that third about 25% percent have it seriously enough to seek medical attention. So, for the millions of tinnitus patients; the ones who are suffering on a daily basis, the focus of this article is on you. I’ll be sharing with you an amazing secret which will control your tinnitus volume like nothing else out there. The catch is; it may just be the hardest thing you’ve ever had to learn. 

It’s hard because most people do not understand even what it is that’s making your ringing louder; let alone how to deal with it. You hear it talked about all the time. Many people know the symptoms of it but, the vast majority of people have no idea how to deal with it. And, believe me, it’s your worst enemy as a tinnitus patient. What is it? What’s this dreaded monster?

STRESS!
I can feel you getting stressed out just by reading it. But, by far the #1 way to reduce your tinnitus volume is; “Get rid of your stress.”

REDUCING STRESS = REDUCING VOLUME
Why is this so hard to do? Well for starters, most people have no concept of what stress is. Most people think it’s the symptoms ie: anxiety, anxiousness, being up-tight, feeling anger, resentment etc. The truth is the symptoms are not stress. And therefore, once you learn the real definition of stress, only then can you learn to rid yourself of it.

So, here’s the definition of stress…Stress is; “The amount of energy you put into resisting your situation.”It’s not the situation that’s causing you stress, it’s the energy you put into resisting the situation. So, how do you not resist it? Well, there’s really only 2 non-resistant choices you can make in any stressful situation and that is to either; a) accept it or b) remove yourself from the situation. Do you know how many people misunderstand this concept? Staying and fighting only makes the stress worse because you’re acting out of fear and your ego wants to win. You cannot win, especially at the expense of others.

So, let’s talk about tinnitus and stress. Tinnitus actually causes stress because of the constant ringing in your ears. The worse part about this is; when you’re stressed out your tinnitus volume goes up and you get more stressed right? That’s why tinnitus is such a hard thing because you’re constantly caught in a vicious loop of stress and constant ringing. That’s no way to live, is it?

How do you reduce the stress? Stop hating tinnitus. That’s a very hard concept for your to accept but the fact is hating tinnitus causes more stress because you’re resisting it. Don’t! Tinnitus is your friend. It’s here to tell you something about your life that you don’t already like. It’s here to tell you that you need to be taking better care of yourself. You need to be doing what you want to do instead of what others expect of you. Acceptance of tinnitus is the key to healing. When you accept your tinnitus you will reduce the stress and anxiety that it causes and therefore you will reduce your volume. Remember, reducing stress = reducing volume. Guaranteed!

Knowing the definition of stress will help you a lot and knowing that you need to accept tinnitus will help but, it won’t give you the weapons you need to win the battle. I can’t teach you that in one email. That’s a journey you’ll need to take over a period of time. But, there’s no better time than the “now” to start anything. When it’s 2 weeks from now it will be NOW! So, it will always be now and therefore you can only start, NOW! Are you confused now?

What I’m really trying to say is this; I know you can get a handle on this thing if you just make a clear conscious choice to learning everything you can about acceptance. If you don’t try, you’ll still be completely stressed out and going crazy with Tinnitus many years from now. You don’t really want that now do you?

~ ~ ~
Paul Tobey is a concert pianist, composer and touring artist who has suffered from chronic tinnitus for over 7 years who found a path to recovery without medical intervention. He is also author of “A Practical Guide to Tinnitus Free Living”. For more information visit ==> Ringing In The Ears - Help For Ringing Ears
~ ~ ~

Author Paul Tobey © Copyright September 2006
Duplication of this article is permitted with notification from the author.

Watch Free Downloadable Music Videos
by Piano Man Paul Tobey - NEW!

You can watch Your Free Music Clips Downloadable at http://www.paultobey.com/! Enjoy the popular Music Box Dancer composed by Frank Mills performed live with Paul Tobey at the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts! If you love the original version, you will absolutely love how Paul transforms this song into a Latin feel! Watch how this great entertainer teases his audiences and has an absolute blast performing Music Box Dancer!

TO GET YOUR FREE DOWNLOADABLE Videos Click Here

All arrangements by Paul Tobey

Live at the Sanderson Centre is available on DVD
ON SALE NOW! CA$14.97 (US$ 11.02) + shipping & handling & applicable taxes.

To order click here http://www.paultobey.com/store/home.php?cat=249

This is a beautifully filmed, edited and recorded live concert at the prestigious Sanderson Centre Theatre. Also available on CD! “(Paul Tobey) truly takes his creativity to a whole new level.” ~ Murray Charters, Brantford Expositor

Piano music is what I do.  I’ve lead many different configurations of ensembles from solo piano to piano trio to big band.  Fortunately, my recordings catalogue that piano music journey. And, for the first time, I’m going to openly talk about my career thus far.

I have a new specially boxed set called “Anthology” which catalogues my musical career since 1994. My entire body of work is now bundled into one collection wich contains 6 CD’s and one DVD! It’s package is designed to make it easy for music collector’s to store.

You’ll get all of these CDs and one DVD…

In one complete collector’s package…

Here’s the story behind each product …

Disc 1 - Orpheus

Orpheus is my first album.  It’s piano trio album featuring some of my originals and a few “favorite jazz standards” such as Stolen Moments and Mr. PC . Guest Vocalist Jeff Simons (really great blues feel) appears on Miss Otis Regrets, and Blackjack. This was the album I recorded when I was hired to open the first jazz club in the United Arab Emirates in Dubai. The album also features bassist Steve Holy (now living a contemplative life in BC), and Jim Hillman on Drums (a multi-award winning drummer from Montreal) and Pierre Cote on guitar (a ripping jazz guitar player who I think went to Nashville to play the country scene). The album was recorded at Montreal Sound Studios and engineeered by Chris Mitchell. Only 500 units printed, and probably 450 of those units are floating around in the Middle East. Only a few would even exist in North America. In fact, I don’t even have a copy. I had to ask one of my fans, Rob Roy in the US (Vermont) to send me a copy of the CD cover!)

Disc 2- Wayward CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE SEPARATELY

My second album is great insight into my talent as an emerging artist. It’s what I call the latin phase of my career. As a young pianist, I was still looking for my own voice/sound. While the media was comparing me to a “Bill Evans” or an “Oscar Peterson”, I was more influenced by Chick Corea, Michel Camillo and Chucho Valdez during the late 1990’s. Hence, this would explain why I couldn’t decide what I wanted this album to be. Because, I didn’t have my own voice quite yet, and I didn’t really know who I was.  So, I put together many different configurations from a tenet to a trio, and just explored all sorts of rhythms and medley’s. I hired some of the finest players in Canada such as

Alex Dean - Tenor
John Johnson - Alto
John MacLeod & Sandy Barter on Trumpets
Terry Promane & Rob Somerville - Trombones
Roy Patterson - Guitar
Roberto Occhipinti- Bass
Mark McLean - Drums
& Armando Borg on Percussion.

It was recorded in 1998 at Lydian Sound I think. It was produced by award winning producer and pianist Andre White. Highlights for me include Armando’s crazy percussion, and Alex’s playing is outstanding. I remember these guys the most, because they were just really cool guys.  Roy Patterson would later send me an email ragging out on me.  I’m not sure whatever became of him! I continued to hire some of these players throughout my professional career.  Of note is John McLeod’s beautiful playing and Mark McLean on drums who went on to New York to make a name for himself stateside.

The album features all of my own compositions except for “Very Early” by Bill Evans. This album was my “coming out” album with the media. It garnered great reviews , and alot of gigs! Hence, it was partially responsible for being the springboard to my touring career, which would bring me to the US, Europe and Japan.

This album was produced as a result of a recording grant I recieved from the Foundation To Assist Canadian Talent on Records & was originally distributed by Fusion III (Montreal)

Disc 3 - Street Culture

This album was recorded with myself on Piano, Mike Murley on Tenor and Jim Vivian on Bass and the masterful Terry Clarke on drums. I had recieved a small government grant from Canada Council to do this album, and could only afford to pay 4 hours of studio time (and 4 hours of salary to the musicians). Therefore, each song was played only twice, and the album was completed in 4 hours. When we walked out of there, Terry looked at me and said “That’s a Juno Award Winner”.

Well, it was nominated for a Juno that year. Mike Murley who was on Tenor was on 4 other albums nominated for jazz Juno’s the same year, and his album brought home the Juno! What are the odds? 

The critics absolutely loved this album, and it was picked up by a New York record label called Arkadia Jazz. They discovered me in “The Hague” Netherlands.  They paid handsomely for the album rights. The album was distributed in 28 countries. I see it’s actively sold on EBAY for a big price. Used copies are affordable.

This album was recorded in 2000 at Reaction Studios in Toronto and Engineered by Ormond Jobin (Ormond closed his doors early 2006 in favour of the slopes in BC!). This was the first album I had confidence to produce with my own ears. I must admit my confidence shows up in my playing. I’m very proud of this album. It just was one of those sessions where everything goes right. You can’t explain it. The energy is symbiotic, and effortless playing happens.

This product is only available in the Paul Tobey Anthology

Disc 4 - Live at the Glenn Gould Theatre

This is my first solo album. It was originally recorded with the intent that Arkadia Jazz would buy the rights and put it in their catalogue.  But after 9/11 the company didn’t release anything new. So technically, the master recording is still sitting in their vaults. When I’m super famous, they’ll probably decide to take it out and claim ownership. But I’ve never been paid for the Master and they never released it.

This album was generously funded by Ontario Council for the Arts and was recorded at CBC studio’s in Toronto on the Glenn Gould piano. It was engineered by Todd Fraracci who is a very very sensitve engineer and that means - it’s a quality piano sound. This album features some of my personal favorite piano music such as Round Midnight, Old Folks, Lush Life and In Walked Bud, and features some new originals such as Quiet Now, New Blues, Icicle Lights and a Conversation with Ibach (I own a beautiful piano - a German make called Ibach). This album was recorded in 2001 and has yet to see retail outlets. For now, it’s only available in the Anthology.

This product is only available in the Paul Tobey Anthology

Disc 5 - Live at the Sanderson Centre CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE SEPARATELY

This is just about the time I decided to divorce the jazz industry and try to re-invent myself as a performer. Until then, I was limited to jazz audiences and touring the same venues over and over again. Don’t get me wrong, I had the great priviledge of performing some amazing venues, including headlining for some major Jazz Festivals like the Montreal Jazz Festival, Canadian Embassies, and loved the touring circuit, …but the jazz industry had its limitations in terms of the music marketplace.

Truth be told, I was having a hard time making a living as a jazz performer. It must of been synchrodestiny, because I met Bruce Davidsen. Bruce is a veteran producer who worked with Frank Mills (Music Box Dancer), Haygood Hardy (The Homecoming) and the popular Anne Murray amongst other Canadian Cultural Icons. Bruce volunteered his time to produce a live concert of mine at the beautiful Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts. He mentored Nancy and I all throughout the production of the show.  It was a crash course on production.

He taught us performing techniques most artists take for granted. From when to bow, how to accept audience applause, how to time the standing Ovation to lighting, song selection and what not. This experience launched me into a whole different direction. The first time that night, I experienced a whole new performance dynamic. The theatre has a capacity of 1100 seats, and we were almost sold out! I used to have small jazz audiences, but now the market had opened up to a Piano Music audience.

The song selection featured popular piano music:

Beyond the Sea
Brubeck Medley (Take Five & Blue Rondo)
Music Box Dancer
Goldberg Variation
Here & Now (performed by the Brant County Youth Singers and Breanne Arrigo)
Hymn to Freedom (also performed by the BCYS & Breanne)
Got My Soul Hat On
I’ll Be Seeing You
Linus & Lucy
Nature Boy (performed by Lauren Roy)
Birdland (performed by the BCYS)
Thanks for the Memories (solo piano/ Encore)

The concert was professionally recorded live by Danny Greenspoon (an ex Canadian Broadcasting Corporation engineer who now operates The Audio Truck) in October 2003 in Brantford Ontario. The live recording was engineered by Firescape Recording. I had a professional film crew in that day, and the concert is also available on DVD under the title “The ReMaking of Paul Tobey”. The DVD contains some thoughts by Producer Bruce Davidsen, and some behind the scenes action. I’ll be offering some Free Music Clips Downloadble from this DVD for your viewing pleasure.

Both the CD & DVD features
Paul Tobey at Piano
Doug Romanow - Keybaords
Roy Styff - Alto & Flute
Russ Boswell - Bass
Gary Craig - Drums
Arcady Strings with Jennifer Hedican, Kenin McKay, Ian Carruthers and Lucy Anna Gaston
Breanne Arrigo
and the Brant County Youth Singers + solo of Lauren Roy

Disc 6 - Live at the Sanderson - DVD CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE SEPARATELY

Disc 7 - Christmas at the Piano CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE SEPARATELY

This was a very ambitious project for me. Why? It’s the first time I produced a CD without a Government grant. No grants, no sponsors, no financial cushion to springboard from. This was an emotional project for me. My mom was dying of Cancer, and time was running out. Both her and I shared a love for Christmas Music, and I wanted to put something together that would bring some comfort into her life during her long long stays in the hospital. I asked her in the hospital what her favorite song was and she didn’t know the name. So he hummed “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring”. I quickly went into action, booked a venue, and self-produced both the concert and the Christmas CD. She was determined to get well enough to walk into my concert. She did. To everyone’s amazement. Besides my emotional attachment to this album because of my mother, musically speaking, it’s also my favorite album. I never listen to any of my albums once it’s gone to print. But this one, I keep in my car and Nancy and I have enjoyed it all year round. Adrian my son, goes to bed to it and spins it on his cd player every night. Maybe it just all reminds us of the comfort of being loved by mom. I don’t know. It’s just really beautiful piano music.

The reviews were fantastic. I sold over 300 CD’s the night of the concert. The newspaper called it a “Frenzied Mob”. It’s still one of the best selling products online. It features 46 minutes of your favorite christmas favorites:

Island Christmas (my original)
Little Drummer Boy
Carol of the Bells
O Christmas Tree (available as a free download here)
Children’s Christmas Medley (all the kid’s favorites)
The Christmas Song
Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring
Christmas Carol Medley
Angels We Have Heard on High

This was recorded Nov. 2005 at Phase One Audio Group Studios in Toronto featuring

Paul Tobey - Piano
Henry Heilig - Bass
Steve Heathcote - Drums
Dave Simpson - Percussion
Phil Gray - Keyboards
Dong Englert - Flute/Alto

. . . . .

This Special Collector’s Anthology Contains 6 CDs and 1 DVD in a Specially Packaged Boxed Set. Includes Juno Nominated “Street Culture” and “Live at the Glenn Gould Theatre”

The Market Price is $172.00 CAD. It’s now ON Sale for ONLY $97.00 CAD (a savings of 44%).
Click Here To Purchase Before They’re All Gone!

The Special Collector’s Edition was originally manufactured as a special item for a special concert/event I performed at last fall. Only 100 were printed for an exclusive audience. I sign each one upon your request. The next collection will be different and offer a combination of films and music + interviews and other Television specials that featured myself or my music. However, I have no idea when that will go to print, or for which audience. If you would like to dedicate the collection to someone, or would like me to sign it to a specific name, just send me an email, quote your order number, and I’ll make sure I take care of that for you. Email me at info (at) paultobey.com

Enjoy your Piano Music!

Paul

Wouldn’t you agree that technology is changing so fast that it’s sometimes overwhelming just to keep up? I don’t even own an IPOD, but fans want me to offer Free Pod Casts and Streaming Audio! And then people are asking if I offer Ringtones! Yikes!

Okay, while I’m catching up to all you techies, I do have some Free Download able Music. You can get your Free Music Downloads by clicking here. I have quite a selection of music; some for Piano Music Lovers such as Frank Mills “Music Box Dancer” . Jazz fans who also appreciate piano players such “Bill Evans”, “Oscar Peterson” and “Dave Brubeck” can find my free music downloads like Dave Brubeck Take 5 and other piano favorites such as Linus & Lucy.

More answers to most popular questions:

Yes, I absolutely will offer my “free downloadable music videos” and plan to make some popular song selections available online shortly. I will make some “free music video clips downloadable” from the Live at the Sanderson DVD available which features music like Thanks for the Memories, Take 5, Beyond the Sea, Nature Boy, Birdland and more. I will create a “free music video download” page in the next 15 days, so check back soon!

No, I do not currently offer “free sheet music downloads” but think I will make that happen within the next 60 days.

Yes, I do have “free movie downloads” and “free documentaries” available by clicking here.

No, I do not offer “free piano lessons”, though I may put an addition on my blog to offer “free piano playing or composing advice”. I’m actually thinking of doing this through “podcasting”.

Yes I will post my previous works and “jazz videos” including works broadcast on Cool TV, CBC, BRAVO and more. It will take me to transfer some beta tapes. Check Back soon!

Yes, all my “piano music cds” are on sale right now! Click here to purchase.

Musically yours,
Paul
Bookmark this site Piano Music site in your favorites!
Or tell a friend about this “Music Blog”