The Musicians Way Blog
by Gerald Klickstein. Become a Successful Musician
Clear Goals, Clear Process
Music practice strategies that produce rapid improvement!
Countering Perfectionism
“You must play for the love of music. Perfect technique is not as important as making music from the heart.” –Mstislav Rostropovich
Heeding the Signs of Injury
“I ignored all my body’s warning signals in the name of ‘dedication’ to what I was doing.” –Christine Harrison, violinist
The Beauty in Basics
“Even the greatest virtuosos practice the fundamentals, because they are the basis of all playing.” –Wynton Marsalis
2-to-1 Breathing
2-to-1 breathing restores calmness, quells nervousness, and kindles creativity.
Let’s Hear it for Applause
“We should welcome applause whenever it comes.” –Emanuel Ax, pianist
The Total Warm-Up
“Like sensuous opening ceremonies, warm-ups prepare the body, mind, and spirit for making music.”
Musicians and Beta-Blockers
Are beta-blocking drugs safe, effective and appropriate for nervous musicians?
Ready, Set, Create!
“In order to be creative you have to know how to prepare to be creative.” -Twyla Tharp
Celebrating the Chopin Bicentennial
The 200th anniversary of the birth of Frédéric Chopin spawned unprecedented access to his music as well as scholarship about his life.