“We should welcome applause whenever it comes.” –Emanuel Ax, pianist The Musician’s Way, p. 183 Should audiences at classical concerts only applaud according to strict rules of etiquette? I’d say no. Listeners should applaud when they feel like it. Nonetheless,...
“The better you use yourself, the better you will play.” –Pedro de Alcantara The Musician’s Way, p. 257 Music making may be the most integrated of all human activities. It’s no exaggeration to say that either playing instruments or singing requires us to coordinate...
We professional musicians love to share music with others. Whether we perform in concert halls, nightclubs, informal gatherings, or recording studios, our hard work is most rewarded when we connect with listeners. The majority of students, though, spend little time in...
Suppose that you’re preparing to play or sing in public. How do you bridge the gulf between personal practice and public performance? I’ve observed that many rising musicians underperform because they omit a crucial element from their preparatory routines: practice...
Envision standing at a stage door, seconds before your entrance at a solo or small-group concert. The hall darkens; the audience quiets. A stagehand whispers: “Ready?” Let’s stop here and give this scenario a closer look. The backstage scene probably resembles a...
