“Only after I have become familiar with the style and character of the work can I start shaping an interpretation.” —Yo-Yo Ma The Musician’s Way, p. 24 On a primary level, musical interpretation conveys fluctuations in emotional intensity. And one of the best ways to...
“When you don’t transmit irritation from mechanical breakdowns, an audience finds them interesting and even amusing.” –The Musician’s Way, p. 195 Thorough preparation underpins every successful performance. But even when we’re fully geared up...
“Memorable concerts don’t merely deliver what’s expected; they also take audiences beyond what they can envision.” –The Musician’s Way, p. 211 Although we musicians devote years to refining our artistic and technical abilities, few of us study the...
“When I finally saw how I looked, I realized that I was distracting the audience from the music.” -Alfred Brendel, pianist The Musician’s Way, p. 171 Imagine standing backstage prior to your entrance at the start of a concert: as the house lights dim, the...
“Public performance is a potent truth serum.” -William Westney, pianist The Musician’s Way , p. 201 In my post, “The 3 Roots of Performance Anxiety,” I explain how stage nerves arise due to personal, task-related and situational factors. This article...
“Without inclusive preparation, musicians can’t be cool in high-stakes situations” –The Musician’s Way, p. 148 Performance anxiety stifles the ambitions of countless musicians. Yet the path to becoming a fearless performer is open to any musician who chooses to...
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