Performance  & Interpretation

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The Inner Game of Music (Hardcover) by Barry Green By L. Ku "pgroups" Former principal bassist of the Cincinnati Symphony, Barry Green has created what has to be one of the most important books on musical psychology ever written. As a young clarinetist myself, I've found this read to help me change from one who frets over my auditions and solos to becoming a confident musician in front of others. Green begins by discussing what makes up a good performance. He invented the formula P = p - i, where P is the level of the performance, p is the potential of the performer, and i is the level of mental interference during the performance.  He explains how to decrease the amount of i in order to bring the level of P as close as possible to p. Green then digs further into his ideas by introducing to two "selves". Quoted, "Self 1 is our interference. It contains our concepts about how things should be, our judgments and associations. It is particularly fond of the words 'should' and 'should not' and often sees things in terms of what 'could have been. Self 2 is the vast reservoir of potential within each one of us. It contains our natural talents and abilities, and is a virtually unlimited resource that we can tap and develope. Left to its own devices it performs with gracefulness and ease."  Green goes own to give advice and excercises on how to ignore the interference of self 1 during performance and how to let self 2 work uninterupted. Over the next chapters, Green goes into more technical and complicated details, while teaching us the powers of awareness, will, and trust. These three chapters are loaded with useful excercises, and most of them have the least do with music, at least directly. But they all tie in somewhere.  Green also writes of 'Letting Go', a chapter all about how to 'become' the music while playing, rather than looking at it from a technical aspect. Later, there's a particularly good chapter on how to, not perform but, listen to music. It explains why sometimes we don't feel moved by the music, and then gives relevant solutions to enjoying the performance.  Green chooses to end the book by not recapping all the techniques he have taught, but instead by writting several chapters on realizing how big a gift music is, and how to appreciate it to the fullest extent. Reading this book is a potentially life changing experience. I urge all of you to give it a try...even if you are already a capable performer.  .

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The Art of Practicing: A Guide to Making Music from the Heart (Paperback) by Madeline Bruser  From Library Journal In an attempt to address the basic aspects of practicing and interpreting, this book includes both the physical and the spiritual. Instructions are given for stretching exercises to relax and flex the body and for meditation to prepare the mind, often addressing both physical and interpretive problems through a combination of both approaches. The bulk of the instructions are for pianists; here the author feels confident and speaks in her own voice. For other instruments and voice she relies, unquestioningly, on the opinions of others. The format is straightforward instruction combined with the somewhat stilted Socratic question-and-answer approach. For larger collections. Timothy J. McGee, Univ. of Toronto Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Review "Madeline Bruser has put together a valuable and insightful look at the art of practicing. If more people read this this book, perhaps we might see an increase in the number of inspired and joyful music makers who, rather than viewing practice as a punitive activity, regard it as the supreme opportunity to explore their own creativity." American Music Teacher "An essential and brilliant book. Madeline Bruser gives us insight, wisdom, and tremendous practicality." --Don Campbell, author of The Mozart Effect "I've often thought of practice as playing--in the stretching, somersault, skipping, serenely special sense of the word--and The Art of Practicing reaffirms that. It gently and joyfully reminds us of the beautiful reasons we love music and become musicians in the first place." --Richard Stoltzman, clarinetist "The attitude and approach presented in this book ring true and can inspire us to open up to music with stimulated imagination and inquisitiveness and to play from the heart every time we sit down to play. I recommend this book and its ideas very highly." --Peter Serkin, pianist "An excellent sourcebook for musicians...logical, well thought-out, and clearly written, as well as medically tenable...thoughtful, sensitive, and very practical." --Alice G. Brandfonbrenner, M.D., founding director Medical Program for Performing Artists, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, editor, Medical Problems of Performing Artists "This is a book to read and read again, whether you are a performing musician or a serious listener." The Washington Times "Give this book to any musician you love and to any person who loves what music does for them and for the world. " --Richard Stoltzman, clarinetist "Luminous and inspiring. " --Paula Robison, flutist -- Review  .

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Effortless Mastery: Liberating the Master Musician Within (Paperback) by Kenny Werner Product Description   -   Paperback book and CD set Effortless Mastery: Liberating the Master Musician Within is a book for any musician who finds themselves having reached a plateau in their development. Werner, a masterful jazz pianist in his own right, uses his own life story and experiences to explore the barriers to creativity and mastery of music, and in the process reveals that "Mastery is available to everyone," providing practical, detailed ways to move towards greater confidence and proficiency in any endeavor.  While Werner is a musician, the concepts presented are for every profession or life-style where there is a need for free-flowing, effortless thinking. Book also includes an audio CD of meditations narrated by Kenny to help the musician reach a place of relaxed focus. From the Publisher  This is a great book for any musician, and it has literally changed the way people all over the globe think about their lives and their music. Kenny's candid confession of frustrations regarding his own early development really reveal how *everyone* struggles to reach a place of mastery, no matter what facade of confidence they present publicly.  It is an inspiring book that seems to immediately connect with musicians, who say to us over and over, "I've always felt there was something holding me back, and now I know how to let go and move forward!" The accompanying CD of meditations will be helpful for those wishing to investigate further the practical techniques Kenny discusses in the book.  .

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The Mastery of Music: Ten Pathways to True Artistry (Paperback) by Barry Green From Publishers Weekly In his follow-up to The Inner Game of Music, which sought to teach musicians how to overcome mental barriers to inspired playing, bassist Green defines ten qualities that offer a "pathway to true artistry": communication, courage, discipline, fun, passion, tolerance, concentration, confidence, ego/humility and creativity.  "When you develop these qualities to a high level," he says, "you have achieved mastery not only of your instrument and your concentration, but of who you are and how you present yourself to others." Each "path" receives its own chapter of inspirational anecdotes and advice, and each is exemplified by a certain instrument or type of musician.  For example, French horn and percussion, instruments that "just get one chance" and have "nowhere to hide," illustrate the importance of courage; violas, who sit literally and musically between violins and cellos, represent tolerance; and duos, chamber groups and conductors symbolize the value of communication.  Dozens of respected musicians, from Leonard Bernstein to members of the Harlem Boys Choir, share anecdotes about coping with stress, prioritizing, self-acceptance, preparation, concentration, focus and other life-skills. Along with general, inspirational advice for living and playing well, the book also makes valuable specific recommendations (e.g., the benefits of practicing slowly, establishing personal boundaries, visualization exercises, etc.).  While the book's gimmick may seem overworked at first, the author is so knowledgeable and sincere that his volume should appeal to musicians and music lovers of all stripes.  In his newest book, Barry Green has provided the glorious counterpoint of musical discovery, mentorship, and visionary styles of learning from some of the greatest performers of our time.  The Mastery of Music fills us with inspiration, vision, and potential for better listening, enjoyment, and nourishment.? Don Campbell, musician and author of The Mozart Effect  .

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