Release the Butterfly

Release the Butterfly is a guide to the soul of music or any learning pursuit, at the same time philosophical and practical, an Art of War for learning and communication. Bob Diefendorf uses hilarious and moving examples from his life as a pianist and teacher to tell an exhilarating story of change and growth. Written simply, but with startling originality, it is destined to become a classic statement on how to never give up on any student, including yourself.

The author gives examples in his own life and studio and ties them in with Eastern philosophy, Native shamanism, Christian spirituality, a solid European musical background and his own thinking to come up with a unique educational approach.

Written simply and clearly, it has forty-four chapters, averaging about four pages each. The chapters are succinct and build to their points quickly. The book can be read at a stretch, for maximum impact, or dipped into, for delightful and useful thoughts on how to remove barriers in communication and learning.