Ask Dave How to Music

Feeling challenged in your ability to focus? Wondering how to find balance in your musical endeavors? In this episode, we explore how to find the balance between deep work, distraction, and real life. I’m Dave Goodrich, a performing singer/songwriter/producer, and personal music coach. My life is an adventure in song and sound, and I am excited to share what I collect along the way. From the begin...

Ready for a reframe or a new perspective? Wondering how to get unstuck from negativity? In this episode, we explore how to use positive framing and the Primacy Effect to move beyond negativity and nonproductive patterns in our music lives. I’m Dave Goodrich, a performing singer/songwriter/producer, and personal music coach. My life is an adventure in song and sound, and I am excited to share what...

Wondering about what creates a musician? Curious about how to create environments where musicians want to keep becoming musicians? In this episode, we explore the concept of “Educational Blue Zones”—schools that nurture the development of musicians and other creatives, fostering lifelong relationships with creativity. We discuss the educational environments that lay strong foundations for pursuing...

Ready to dive into the mystery of songwriting? Seeking a melody, a lyric, a rhythm that brings a song to life? In this episode, we explore the ways songs come to us and contemplate humanity’s reasons for making music. We’ll talk about how some well-known songwriters often approach the art of songwriting, and I will offer up some of the ways songs have revealed themselves to me over the years. I’m...

Looking to add more stillness to your music life? Searching for tools to gain focus, increase creativity, and enhance musical performance? In this episode, we explore the benefits of adding a meditation practice to your musical toolkit. We discuss some of the types of meditation methods available, the potential rewards of engaging in meditative practices, and ways to adapt your practice to your sp...

Wondering what great artists understand about their audiences? Ready for a new perspective on how to relate to your audience? In this episode, we explore the nuances and paradoxes that great artists understand regarding captivating and sustaining their audiences. We discuss the types of connective experiences that audience members are seeking. I’m Dave Goodrich, a performing singer/songwriter/prod...

Wondering about the best place for you to thrive as a musician? Seeking a location that supports longevity in your music career? In this episode, we explore the concept of “Music Blue Zones”—places where musicians thrive on a holistic level. We look at: the psychology of place music scene architecture artistic sustainability nervous system health identity-based creativity competition vs. inspirati...

Wondering what it takes to build a great local music scene? Seeking more balance, connection, and community in your music life? Join me for a special extended episode featuring songwriter, performer, community builder, and longtime music scene catalyst Sean Michael Dargan. Sean and I first crossed paths years ago in the Fredericksburg, VA, music community near the University of Mary Washington—a s...

Wanting to work with others to create something from a new perspective? Wondering what to look for in a potential collaborator? In this episode, we explore the expansive qualities of successful music collaborations and take a look at how to be a better collaborator. We also discuss how to approach a new collaboration: what to look for in a potential collaborator and what conversations to have befo...

Feeling uncertainty in your musical life? Wondering how to create a foundation that grounds you as you pursue your musical aspirations? In this episode, we explore the paradoxical power of embracing certainty as you jump into the uncertainty of the great unknown with commitment and conviction. I’m Dave Goodrich, a performing singer/songwriter/producer, and personal music coach. My life is an adven...

Need a break from your heavy music schedule? Ready for a reset and a little time to refresh? In this episode, we explore the importance of making regular restorative resets as part of a disciplined music lifestyle. We look at the benefits of spending time in nature and the influences of nature on music creation throughout history. I’m Dave Goodrich, a performing singer/songwriter/producer, and per...

Does maintaining discipline within your musical practice feel challenging? Looking for a new perspective to relieve the grind of repetition and still move ahead in your music career? In this episode, we explore the power of transforming the routine heaviness that can accompany a disciplined practice schedule into a continuing act of deep devotion that invites a sense of freedom into your life and...

Are your music industry relationships not taking you where you want to go? Ready to reel in the right relationships to enrich your career in ways you never thought possible? In this episode, we explore the power of investing in the right relationships and the importance of knowing when to sever the wrong ones. I’m Dave Goodrich, a performing singer/songwriter/producer, and personal music coach. My...

Ready to create the ultimate immersive experience for your fans? What world do you want to build to contain that experience? In this episode, we explore the concept of world building and the benefits of creating a container for connecting deeply with fans—your own musical playground. I’m Dave Goodrich, a performing singer/songwriter/producer, and personal music coach. My life is an adventure in so...

Ambivalent about AI? Wondering about its impact on the future of music and how it might affect your music career? In this episode, we take a brief look at a little bit of the history of how musical advances were received in the past as we contemplate the effects of the expanding influence of AI on the current music landscape. When it comes to using AI in your music career, are you in or out? Or so...

Wishing you could become famous? But not sure if you want to follow what appears to be the cliché way to stardom? In this episode, we focus on the concept of becoming visible in the music world in a meaningful way and having the kind of fame that emanates from alignment with your core self. I’m Dave Goodrich, a performing singer/songwriter/producer, and personal music coach. My life is an adventur...

Wondering how to make your music life bigger? Wanting to reach new peaks that allow you to experience the music world from a higher perspective? In this episode, we focus on expanding our mindset to be bigger, braver, and bolder in order to summit our music mountains and create our musical utopia. I’m Dave Goodrich, a performing singer/songwriter/producer, and personal music coach. My life is an a...

Wondering how your identity defines your music career? Are you looking to move beyond the limits of your current self-image to lay the foundation for greater success and fulfillment? In this episode—Part 3 of a three-part series on Money, Music & Meaning —we focus on the concepts of identity and self-image and how they relate to music and money, and explore their importance in creating a found...

Feeling confused about how to create a sustainable music career? Unsure how to start building a foundation for a career that matters and supports you? In this episode—Part 2 of a three-part series on Money, Music & Meaning —we focus on designing 5 sustainable layers to build into the structure of your “music career portfolio.” I’m Dave Goodrich, a performing singer/songwriter/producer, and per...

Feeling conflicted regarding the role of money in your musical lifestyle? Is your music income not booming in tune with current music industry headlines? In this episode—Part 1 of a three-part series on Money, Music & Meaning —we explore the relationship between music and money. We discover perspectives on how to approach your musical lifestyle and lay the foundations for clarifying your under...

Feeling limited in your musical life even though your achievements are lauded and you are applauded? Are you being called to adventure into a new realm with your music, someplace that feels free and alive? In this episode, we explore the leap from musical excellence into your unique brand of musical genius. I’m Dave Goodrich, a performing singer/songwriter/producer, and personal music coach. My li...

Feeling challenged by time? Ready for a new perspective for approaching your next recording or creative project? In this episode, we take a look at the concept of using time as our creative partner, an ally that deserves our respect and offers immense value in return. I’m Dave Goodrich, a performing singer/songwriter/producer, and personal music coach. My life is an adventure in song and sound, an...

Feeling like your creativity has gone quiet? Wondering how to go forward in your musical life? In this episode, we explore how to navigate creative ebbs and flows to foster growth. We’ll discover the perspectives, mindsets, and tools that will help you turn your creative winters into creative wonders. I’m Dave Goodrich, a performing singer/songwriter/producer, and personal music coach. My life is...

Wondering what it would feel like to wake up inside your extraordinary life? Ready to embrace your future self, activate your heroic identity, and bend reality? In this episode, we explore what it takes to master your musical life. We’ll discover the body and mind states that will help you access your inner master. I’m Dave Goodrich, a performing singer/songwriter/producer, and personal music coac...

Are you struggling with what appears to be self-sabotage? Are you ready to move wholeheartedly into the successful musical life you dream of living? In this episode, we explore the importance of recognizing that what often looks like laziness, lack of discipline, or self-sabotage can actually be a form of self-protection. Through stories and examples, we will identify what can cause us to self-des...