“Playing is never difficult; it is either easy, or it is impossible.”
-Kato Havas, violinist
The Musician’s Way, p. 21

We all love how it feels to play or sing with ease.

That sense of freedom we enjoy when physical tension melts away and mental focus expands.

Here are 7 ways to instill easeful habits in practice and on stage.

Whether you’re an instrumentalist or a singer, these habits help empower you to unleash your musical potential.

Seven Tips to Play or Sing with Ease

1. Lengthen and Release

Allow your neck and spine to lengthen as you release unneeded muscular tension in your shoulders, jaw, and throughout your body.

2. Minimize Pressure

Employ a light touch, and aim for a sense of buoyancy in your limbs.

3. Learn Deeply

Establish profound clarity in practice so that you can be accurate with little effort.

4. Feel Ahead

Conceive of each upcoming phrase before you execute it – hear and feel ahead.

5. Commit

Bring a fearless conviction to every musical gesture.

6. Be Generous

On stage, give wholeheartedly to your audience and to the emotions in the music.

7. Trust

As you perform, trust in your preparation and your ability to grow as an artist. Not every performance will be problem-free, but every moment that we have to make music is a moment to treasure.

“Not every performance will be problem-free, but every moment that we have to make music is a moment to treasure.” -Gerald Klickstein

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See The Musician’s Way for comprehensive practice and performance strategies that empower musicians of all levels to master repertoire and be confident on stage.

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Awareness, Focus, Concentration
Balanced Shoulders, Open Heart
The Centered Performer
Feeling Ahead
Sitting Tall
The Total Warm-Up

© 2015 Gerald Klickstein
Image © violetblue, licensed from Shutterstock