Chapter 1 - Me --- An autobiographical slide presentation of my life and artistic/philosophical evolution. From the earliest memories, there seemed to be a cohesive link between the musical arts and Eastern philosophical approach to life. The evolution and development of both, although independent, became interdependent as time went by. Only after this retrospective examination, did I realize that they were one in the same discipline/approach. Chapter 2 - Art --- Discussion of the myriad manifestations, applications, and implications of the many aspects of art. Reading the dictionary definition of the word 'art' will give you a sense of the truly eclectic nature of this three letter word. When you start looking, you will be awestruct by the degree to which art is a part of everything you do from the time you open your eyes upon waking until the time you close them. Even into your dreams, art helps shape your individual reality. Aware or unaware, we are all patrons of art. Chapter 3 - Suspension of Judgement --- Explores the adverse affects of engaging in any form of learning or development while holding on to preconceptions regarding your abilities of lack thereof. Pathways and blockages must be cleared in order to learn just about anything, but the first step in this process is acknowledging and subsequently accepting that a blockage may exist. Not an easy task. Chapter 4 - How We Learn --- A glimpse into a few of the many processes operating behind the learning process. Humans are in the unique position of being able to think about thinking and learn about learning; dogs chasing their tails. Many of the learning processes are operating beneath our conscious awareness. Some evolve and are developed as we participate in the process. Information gathering mechanisisms are constantantly engaged in the process of accumulating, sorting, assessing, and utilizing what they gather. Different types of learning using various modalities (auditory, visual, kinesthetic), different types of learners (right-brain, left-brain), all used in different ways and different combinations. But there seems to be an artistic aspect to the way we humans orchestrate and eventually perform what we learn. Chapter 5 - "I'll never be able to do that." --- If you've ever felt this way when you tried something, this chapter is for you. The main thing that seems to impede people from doing just about anything is the feeling of being initially overwhelmed at the outset of a new activity or learning endeavor. Allowing yourself to learn seems to be one of the most difficult things to accomplish. The arts can teach this valuable skill since, requiring incrimental development, the feeling of being overwhlemed diminishes once one realizes that any skill or task, no matter its scale or scope, can be broken down into, and worked on as, smaller parts. Chapter 6 - 70/30 --- An examination of the principles, applications, and virtues of balance. My life-long study of Eastern Philosohpy provided the template for a functional approach to balance. Many recognize the Yin/Yang Symbol, but, from my experience, few understand its implications, and moreover, its applications. The concept of the balance, interplay, and interdependence between what seem to be opposites can shed light on an achievable, functional approach to balance. Are they really opposties, or are they simply two side of the same coin? Does sound frame silence, or does silence frame sound? Chapter 7 - The Teacher's Eye --- Tricks of the trade for any teacher and/or student. It really isn't magic. It's simply honing your observational skills on several levels, and being able to see not only as a teacher, but also as a student. But the primary thing I've seen from teaching and learning music and/or any of the other arts is that it offers a form of complete learning. It's not about simply learning facts, figures, and concepts and then regurgitating them onto a test, only to forget them after the test is taken. The arts require that you take those facts, figures, and concepts and 'do something' with them. This not only demonstrates a complete understanding of the material studied, but also develops the ability to use knowledge creatively. Do our students/children deserve anything less that an optimal/complete education? Can we as a society afford to slash the arts from our schools? Look around, the answer is painfully obvious. Chapter 8 - Why Bother? --- Is it really worth it? It takes work to pursue an artistic approach to life, and the rewards are not always easy to understand or grasp. Anyone with any exposeure to the arts knows the impact that that exposure has had. Often times, it defies description. But I feel that the arts, in any of its many forms, is programed into our DNA, and there exists in us all an instinctive need to partake of and patricipate in art. This participation is a lesson in the acceptance of personal responsibility; invaluable for our youth. The medium doesn't matter; accomplishment is relative; the path is as difficult as you choose it to be; there is nowhere to get; the pursuit is the reward. 'Why bother' is your queston to answer. WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING... Mark has worked with me for twenty-five years. On guitar and piano he never misses a beat, and doesn't miss a beat with this great work of art. Jay Black : "The Voice" of Jay Black and the Americans ----------------------------------------------------------- I am a free-lance commercial musician, as well as an owner of a Music Production Company. People like me spend our lives running around, working in multiple locations for multiple employers. To say my stress-filled life is a rat race would be an understatement. I'm fortunate enough to work with Mark Reinhart a number of times each year, and was happy to read his work. What started as reading a book by a colleague turned into learning a great deal about how to lessen daily stress. Since implementing some of Mark's ideas/philosophies, I have reduced my stress and anxiety, allowing me to be more productive and relaxed. This is a "must read!" Phil Granger: President: The Granger Group Music Director : Jay Black and the Americans ----------------------------------------------------------- This is a great book and should grace the libraries of all the special people. Larry C. Eshelman: EMT - Instructor/Field Training Officer, Founder/Director of the Classical Chinese Internal Arts Institute, Fourth Generation Yang Jian Hou Medium Frame Taijiquan Lineage Holder, Master of Chinese Internal Arts/ Master Qigong Healer, One of the few Masters of Emei Mountain Vibrating Palm Method. ----------------------------------------------------------- Mark manages to capture the magic of music interwoven with the discipline and philosophy of martial arts, and even feng shui. This is a must read for every martial artist who has an interest in music, and every musician exploring all realms of expression. LuAnn Cibik : Master Teacher of Interior AlignmentTM ----------------------------------------------------------- Stress, however grandiose or miniscule, has become an unflinching factor in nearly everyone's daily lives. The manner in which we choose to approach this good, bad, or indifferent entity is directly linked to our very health and wellbeing, as well as affecting the friends and loved ones surrounding us. Mr. Reinhart introduces a new vista of self-healing by incorporating the love of music and the arts with a balance of discipline, inner strength and unfailing humor. As a customer relations specialist with a major communications company, high-level stress dictates my entire eight-hour workday. This book has enabled me to understand, accept, and welcome life's everyday foibles and frailties as an opportunity for growth rather than hindrance. Everyone who has raised a family, fretted over a work deadline, sighed at the length of a grocery line checkout, stalled out in a five o'clock traffic jam, or simply dragged oneself out of a warm bed to face the world will find humor, comfort and themselves in these profound pages. I recommend it as required reading for all, and am truly thankful that Mr. Reinhart has allowed us to share his personal and professional wisdom. I anxiously await his next offering. Nancy L. Miller Verizon Customer Relations/Presidential Appeals ----------------------------------------------------------- Inspiring Tune Up... is an inspiring read! The style is personal and effective, you feel as though you are sitting across the table having coffee with the author while he tells his story. Adding art, health, and balance to our lives is certainly and important message for our times. The blend of Eastern philosophy, teacher/student relationships, and the importance of artistic involvement in al our lives, make this book a "must read"! It got me back to practicing the piano! Brenda Florida, CRB Managing Partenr, Associate Broker Century 21 Alliance ----------------------------------------------------------- We have all been consumed, to one degree or another, by the desire for material things. We came to believe that our possessions were an indication of self-worth. Many adults are now learning that the ability to improve and expand has been compromised. Mark's approach to improving your life through the arts and ancient Eastern philosophy is brilliant and well-timed.  It provides us with the tools needed to return to the basics and regain our focus as to what really is important.  We can all identify with some part of the book. There is no escaping.  This is a must read for everyone! Leona Howard, Illinois
Cover design by Anthony Simms - Lefthand Creations	The Cover design, brought to life by Anthony Simms at Left Hand Creations, has a musical and humanistic meaning. The two staves, when viewed together, are referred to as the 'Grand Staff.' The upper five lines and four spaces are used for notes in the higher, or upper register, and is referred to as the Treble Clef. The lower five lines and four spaces are used for notes in the lower register, and is referred to as the Bass Clef. The 'middle C' (the note on the line between the two staves), not only acts as the middle of the piano, but also joins the Treble and Bass Clefs. My cover design was shown to me early on in the process of writing this book. The concept of upper and lower are the same as in the musical connotation, but instead of the Treble Clef symbol I have used the Chinese character for 'heaven' in the upper staff and the Chinese character for 'earth' in substitution for the Bass Clef symbol in the lower staff. The 'middle C' note represents humankind and contains in it aspects of both heaven (Yang) and earth (Yin). Man/Woman (Yang/Yin) connects, and is the conduit of heaven and earth.