The Inner Game of Music

[Zed]

I'm reading this again (2nd time), wondered if anyone else had and if they use any of the techniques?

[Wendy Anthony]

I read this book more than 2 years ago ... I don't remember any details, except that it really helped me to loosen up & get in touch with the music, while I'm playing (&/or listening) ... also helped me to trust and #be more comfortable in my ability to play my mandolin in public settings, without getting so nervous/serious about it, or judgemental of my abilities compared with so many other (& there always will be) better players ...

The Inner Game of Music by Barry Green with Timothy Gallwey

These are the notes I'd made to myself to remember what the book was about:

Uses ideas from the original Inner Game self-help books for sports ... Covers the psychological aspects of playing & performing music by learning how to reduce the #mental interference that inhibits our full expression of our musical potential. Based on learning info about 3 basics: Performance, Experience & Learning; and 3 Skills: Awareness, Will & Trust.

Zeek ... what techniques are you finding useful?

Keepin' tuned ...
Wendy Anthony

[Zed]

I've recently become very interested in what happens to my brain when I get on stage. Practicing alone or even with my band there is a certain "zone" I enter into that has always been madingly absent on stage.

The "Inner Game" book has really given me a good framework for looking at this. Right now i'm focused mainly on the "Awareness" techniques, listening to what is actually happening rather than allowing your thoughts to run rampant in 99 different directions. I'm also trying to identify the main cause of my "interference" so it can be dealt with.

I decided to dig into this book again after several years after a little excercise i did one night at practice. We were having a good night, everyone was "on", the music was flowing and we were all enjoying ourselves. Right after one particularly good tune i stopped and immediately asked everyone what they were thinking about during that song. Where were your thoughts? 2 of the guys said they were thinking mostly of thier technique... what they were playing during sections of the song. Myself and the guitar player, however, both said we were listening to the band nearly as if we were out in the audience. We were taking in the music the band was putting out and mostly just enjoying it, rather than _trying_ to make it happen. This was the key for me and a big light bulb went on over my head. I had never actually identified specifically where my mind was during a song. I have since applied this awareness to other playing situations and found it very helpful.

We're all working on relaxing more, having a good time, and not sweating the details. It's amazing how much better you play in this mode.

[WJF]

You might also want to try "Effortless Mastery" by Kenny Werner. Great book with lots of valuable insights. ... Available at Amazon, Aebersold's site and probably dozens of other places too.

Happy Reading!

[glauber]

Second Kenny's book. It comes with a funny CD too!

Also check out his Web site.