Musical Excellence

Reviews / Votes

a fascinating new book published by OUP. This is a collection of essays, edited by Aaron Williamon, about strategies and techniques designed to enhance performance. Some of the contributions are tough going but are rewarding. Performers at all levels will be interested (and probably helped) by the revelation of scientifically grounded ways of enabling them to achieve their potential artistically. Those who achieve greater control over their mental and physical state can often surpass their own expections. Musicians will be specially interested by the chapters on ways of avoiding the chronic pain and discomfort that seem to be inseparable from playing most instruments. Poor posture, bad practice technique and stress account for most of these ills ... Music teachers should study this unusual - probably unique - book. Musical performance is a strenuous and demanding life, but ways of lessening the physical strain can only be welcomed and absorbed. Sunday Telegraph A certain mystique has perhaps surrounded high-level musical achievement and this book dispels ambiguity, offering ideas that can direct all musicians to their best efforts. Individual practice strategies, memorizing, sight reading, improvisation and effective rehearsing are all addressed. Physical and mental fitness, pre-performance routines through selected relaxation and visualization techniques, the impact of drugs, expressivity, are appraised in the context of occupational stress ... These studies clearly show that applied research can and does facilitate the musician's quest for excellence and will continue to do so. Gone is the concept of the lofty musician in his gilded cage, guided by mysterious powers. In our quest towards lofty ideals we need first to understand the physicality and the psychology of what constitutes a musician. This pragmatic book guides us towards that goal. To appear in future issue of Stringendo or the Australian Music Teacher