The Musician's Way Blog

“If things get rocky, stay positive and engaged,
and give your audience the best possible experience.”
–The Musician’s Way, p. 189

Recall the last time that you were distracted during a performance: How did you cope? Continue Reading

“I will cast this spell: I know I can open this door and show you something unforgettable and transforming, and I’m determined to take myself there
and to take you with me.”
–Jeffrey Kahane, pianist (The Musician’s Way, p. 177)

When was the last time that you cast a spell from the stage?

If it’s been a while, take heart: I’ve found that nearly all musicians can learn to deliver spellbinding performances, but they first need to build up their stage power.

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“The key to harnessing on-stage energy
is to use it for music-making purposes”
–The Musician’s Way, p. 186

Let’s say that you’re walking on stage at a performance or an audition: Your heart’s beating a bit fast and your hands feel cool; maybe your mouth turns dry.

Are you eager to launch into your program or are you worried that things could go wrong? Continue Reading

“When you project a centered presence from the stage,
your audience becomes attentive and relaxed.”
–The Musician’s Way, p. 180

To make our best music, we performers need to be mentally, physically, and emotionally in sync. In a word: centered.

Then, assuming that we’ve learned our material deeply, we can trust in our preparation and connect with our audiences.

In fact, centered musicians often captivate their listeners from the moment they step on stage because their powerful demeanor generates an expectant energy. Continue Reading

“Masterful performers exhibit ease in all that they do on stage.”
–The Musician’s Way, p. 21

There’s no better way for us musicians to make our audiences receptive than to project ease and enjoyment from the stage.

What’s more, by embodying ease, we help dispel any nerves.

To transmit ease, though, we have to not only master our material and be fluent with stage deportment but also draw on the following inner skills.

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“The better you use yourself, the better you will play.”
–Pedro de Alcantara, Alexander technique teacher (The Musician’s Way, p. 257)

Music making may be the most integrated of all human activities. It’s no exaggeration to say that singing or playing requires us to coordinate everything that we are – our bodies, minds, and spirits.

Often, though, the rigors of practice and performance cause us to use ourselves in ways that are less than optimal. Continue Reading

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 performance situations. By and large, they make music in practice rooms.

So, are music students typically acquiring the skills of expert performers? Continue Reading

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 performances.

Here are 3 ways that instrumentalists and singers can practice performing and become masterful on stage.

All of these concepts are expanded on in Part II of The Musician’s Way. Continue Reading