“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...
“You take control of yourself, your material, and the situation, and then listeners place themselves willingly in your hands.” –The Musician’s Way, p. 179 Performing arts reach their zenith in the magical interaction between artist and audience. It’s crucial,...
“Audiences differ as much as individuals do.” –The Musician’s Way, p. 209 For musicians, career sustainability hinges on audience development. When we continually attract new listeners, our revenues grow, and we gain the freedom to fully devote ourselves to our art....
“Well-crafted program notes help captivate audiences.” –The Musician’s Way, p. 209 As soon as listeners enter performance spaces, we musicians have opportunities to enhance their concert experience. All too often, though, audiences are greeted by printed programs that...
“As you perform, radiate the character of a composition.” –The Musician’s Way, p. 189 I’ve attended thousands of classical concerts, and despite my love of the music, I have to admit that fewer than 10% of those concerts were wholly or mostly enjoyable....
