
Mastering the Art of Performance
A Primer for Musicians
Stewart Gordon(Author)
Oxford University Press Inc
Published on 12. January 2006
Book
Hardback
224 pages
978-0-19-517743-5 (ISBN)
Description
In Mastering the Art of Performance: A Primer for Musicians, Stewart Gordon offers seasoned advice to musicians intent on meeting the challenges of performance. Through real-life examples and pre-performance exercises, this accessible manual gives musicians and other performers practical insights into every aspect of performance. While other books merely identify and describe the problems associated with performance, this book offers detailed suggestions
for solving them. First, Gordon tackles the critical planning and preparatory stages, helping performers to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. The book's easy-to-follow exercises address the
self-doubt and anxiety many musicians contend with, helping them to analyze why they perform, set goals and assess the level of energy needed to achieve them, and develop a performance philosophy. The book also offers techniques that will help musicians deal with some of the classic pitfalls of performance preparation, including repetition and drill, changing bad habits, and developing memory. For the performance itself, Gordon's insights help musicians with pacing and managing
stage fright. For the aftermath, Gordon arms performers with strategies for dealing with criticism and conducting a constructive self-evaluation, equipping them to face the challenges of a lifetime
of performances, including career plateaus and burnout. Gordon draws from more than forty years of experience in front of audiences to offer readers invaluable tips and personal reflections. While aimed primarily at musicians, the book will be useful to anyone facing the pressures of performance, such as actors, dancers, and even public speakers.
for solving them. First, Gordon tackles the critical planning and preparatory stages, helping performers to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. The book's easy-to-follow exercises address the
self-doubt and anxiety many musicians contend with, helping them to analyze why they perform, set goals and assess the level of energy needed to achieve them, and develop a performance philosophy. The book also offers techniques that will help musicians deal with some of the classic pitfalls of performance preparation, including repetition and drill, changing bad habits, and developing memory. For the performance itself, Gordon's insights help musicians with pacing and managing
stage fright. For the aftermath, Gordon arms performers with strategies for dealing with criticism and conducting a constructive self-evaluation, equipping them to face the challenges of a lifetime
of performances, including career plateaus and burnout. Gordon draws from more than forty years of experience in front of audiences to offer readers invaluable tips and personal reflections. While aimed primarily at musicians, the book will be useful to anyone facing the pressures of performance, such as actors, dancers, and even public speakers.
Reviews / Votes
It is the best book I have read on the topic and is full of wisdom and insights ... The book is a very effective and informative work manual and would be an ideal text for students at tertiary institutions. * Andrew Lorenz, AUSTA National Journal Reviews * This is profound writing at its very best. * Andrew Lorenz, AUSTA Stringendo * It is a useful, in depth guide for musicians, beautifully presented in both hardback and paperback, that deserves space on the book shelves of all those involved in instrumental teaching and learning. * Tania Lisboa, B.J Music Ed., vol 2/13 2008 *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
511 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-517743-5 (9780195177435)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
01/2010
Oxford University Press Inc
€42.60
Shipment within 15-20 days

E-Book
12/2005
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€18.49
Available for download

E-Book
12/2005
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€18.49
Available for download
Person
Stewart Gordon has enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a pianist, teacher, editor, composer, and author. His books and video tapes are widely used in university classrooms. His new edition of the thirty-two Beethoven piano sonatas is attracting wide attention for its scholarly research. He is currently a Professor of Keyboard Studies at the Thornton School of Music of the University of Southern California.
Author
Prof. of Keyboard StudiesProf. of Keyboard Studies, Thornton Sc hool of Music of the University of Southern California
Content
Prelude: Defining Performance
1: Assessing Yourself, the Performer, Achieving a Positive Mindset Toward Performance
2: Why We Perform: Forging a Performance Philosophy
3: Physical Support for Performance
4: Conceptualizing and Scheduling Goals
5: Keeping Preparation Fresh and Focused
6: Dealing with Repetition and Drill
7: Techniques to Develop Secure Memorization
8: Insuring Quality
9: Self-Regard at the Time of Performance
10: Managing Stage Fright
11: Dynamics during Performance
12: Evaluation after Performance
13: Performance and Human Interaction
14: The Career Challenge
15: Physical Challenge and Performance
16: Performance Careers in Retrospect
Postlude: Performance and Your Spiritual Life
Selected Bibliography
Index
1: Assessing Yourself, the Performer, Achieving a Positive Mindset Toward Performance
2: Why We Perform: Forging a Performance Philosophy
3: Physical Support for Performance
4: Conceptualizing and Scheduling Goals
5: Keeping Preparation Fresh and Focused
6: Dealing with Repetition and Drill
7: Techniques to Develop Secure Memorization
8: Insuring Quality
9: Self-Regard at the Time of Performance
10: Managing Stage Fright
11: Dynamics during Performance
12: Evaluation after Performance
13: Performance and Human Interaction
14: The Career Challenge
15: Physical Challenge and Performance
16: Performance Careers in Retrospect
Postlude: Performance and Your Spiritual Life
Selected Bibliography
Index