Passionate Practice: The Musician's Guide to Learning, Memorizing, and Performing

by Margret Elson

"Relax your shoulders." "Let go of tension." "Look at the music." "Don’t look at the music." Look at the keyboard." "Don’t look at the keyboard." "Listen to the music." "Don’t think, just play." Every music student has heard such suggestions, and they all hold some truth. But the challenge how? This book is a gentle, progressive guide in exactly how to relax, focus, listen, and feel the music and how to harness them to work together, automatically and simultaneously. Its innovative approach combines special relaxing and behavior modification exercises that foster concentration, focus, security and passion in performance. The book, user-friendly, comprehensive, and filled with witty illustrations, can also be used as a key tool for psychotherapists working to help clients detoxify trauma, especially that associated with performing issues.

Genres: Music

108 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2002

Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I am not convinced of hypnotherapy and have no desire to delve into those waters, many of the other underlying concepts Elson presents have great value. It reminded me poignantly of Lamaze childbirth techniques--the power of focus, positive thinking, and preparation. There is much to be gained from considering her teaching here, especially if you teach aspiring performers.

[Evan Dower · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book isn't quite what I had hoped for, though it might be what many people wanted. I'm sick of rote memorization and want to play music more playfully, with creativity and improvisation, even composing some things. This book is not about that. It's about dealing with anxiety while practicing and performing through the use of relaxation and visualization techniques.

[Carika Smit · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear guide for every musician who always practices and wonders why practice is not paying off as it is suppose to. A real 'light bulb' went on for me while reading this book and it has been very helpful. I would definitely recommend it!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book- comes the closest to describing my personal approach to practice than any other book like this I've read.

[Phoebe]

Combines mindfulness meditation with music. I'd like to look at this one again.