The April 2014 edition of The Musician’s Way Newsletter has landed in subscribers’ inboxes and is being shared across the Web. This new issue brings together 20 articles and resources geared to performers, educators, students and music lovers alike....
“With a commitment on your calendar, your practice becomes targeted toward an exhilarating purpose.” -The Musician’s Way, p. 108 Some musicians relish daily practice; others struggle to work consistently. Whatever our relationship with practice might be,...
“Every performance is different. That’s the beauty of it.” -Van Morrison The Musician’s Way, p. 153 To reach the heart of performance, let’s start by deciphering what a performance is. Consider this: When we play or sing for someone else, we’re performing; and...
“The performers who connect from the stage establish emotional relationships with their audiences.” -The Musician’s Way, p. 188 What endows a performance with the power to stir listeners’ hearts? At a minimum, a spellbinding concert melds first-rate...
“When I play, I make love – it is the same thing.” -Arthur Rubinstein, pianist The Musician’s Way, p. 207 If you’ve read much about performing, then you’ve probably run into the terms “peak performance,” “flow,” and “being in the zone.” Those synonymous...
“Keen self-listening is central to musical excellence.” -The Musician’s Way, p. 16 Without the ability to hear ourselves precisely, we can’t perform to professional standards nor solve problems in practice. Fortunately, today’s digital recorders empower us...
“When we generate positive emotions, we ignite creativity.” The February 2014 issue of The Musician’s Way Newsletter coalesces more than 20 resources for performers, educators, and arts administrators. You’ll find articles about boosting creativity, enhancing...
“Audiences want to hear music, not monologues.” –The Musician’s Way, p. 177 One of the most effective ways for us to connect with audiences is to speak engagingly yet briefly about the music we perform. Problem is, lots of musicians neglect to prepare the...
“If there’s a central tenet of showmanship, it’s this: Project; don’t reflect.” –The Musician’s Way, p. 179 Showmanship – or show-womanship – doesn’t equate with flamboyance; it comes from being who you are, but more so....