The Mastery of Music: Ten Pathways to True Artistry [Paperback]

Barry Green (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 10, 2005

The Inner Game of Music, the breakout hit that became a standard primer in the music world, has taught thousands of musicians—professionals and amateurs alike—how to overcome self-consciousness and stage fright and to recapture a youthful, almost effortless capacity to learn. Now, in his follow-up book, The Mastery of Music, Barry Green turns his expert hand to the artistic qualities that make an extraordinary musician. Culling advice from dozens of interviews with legends including Joshua Bell, Dave Brubeck, Jeffrey Kahane, Bobby McFerrin, Christopher Parkening, Doc Severinsen, Frederica von Stade, the Harlem Boys Choir, and the Turtle Island String Quartet, he reveals that it’s not enough to have a cerebral and emotional connection to the notes. Green hows how musical excellence, exhibited by true virtuosos, requires a mastery of ten unique qualities of the soul and the human spirit, such as confidence, passion, discipline, creativity, and relaxed concentration, and he discusses specific ways in which all musicians, composers, and conductors can take their skills to higher levels. He carefully incorporates all instruments and techniques in his rejuvenating discussions, inspiring the stifled student to have fun again and the over-rehearsed performer to rediscover the joy of passionate expression. Essential reading for every musician, The Mastery of Music strikes a beautiful new chord.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In his follow-up to The Inner Game of Music, which sought to teach musicians how to overcome mental barriers to inspired playing, bassist Green defines ten qualities that offer a "pathway to true artistry": communication, courage, discipline, fun, passion, tolerance, concentration, confidence, ego/humility and creativity. "When you develop these qualities to a high level," he says, "you have achieved mastery not only of your instrument and your concentration, but of who you are and how you present yourself to others." Each "path" receives its own chapter of inspirational anecdotes and advice, and each is exemplified by a certain instrument or type of musician. For example, French horn and percussion, instruments that "just get one chance" and have "nowhere to hide," illustrate the importance of courage; violas, who sit literally and musically between violins and cellos, represent tolerance; and duos, chamber groups and conductors symbolize the value of communication. Dozens of respected musicians, from Leonard Bernstein to members of the Harlem Boys Choir, share anecdotes about coping with stress, prioritizing, self-acceptance, preparation, concentration, focus and other life-skills. Along with general, inspirational advice for living and playing well, the book also makes valuable specific recommendations (e.g., the benefits of practicing slowly, establishing personal boundaries, visualization exercises, etc.). While the book's gimmick may seem overworked at first, the author is so knowledgeable and sincere that his volume should appeal to musicians and music lovers of all stripes.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“In his newest book, Barry Green has provided the glorious counterpoint of musical discovery, mentorship, and visionary styles of learning from some of the greatest
performers of our time. The Mastery of Music fills us with inspiration, vision, and potential for better listening, enjoyment, and nourishment.”
Don Campbell, musician and author of The Mozart Effect

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (May 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767911571
• ISBN-13: 978-0767911573
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #100,035 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Diary of a Musician, May 11, 2006

By 

OpenMind (Ann Arbor, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mastery of Music: Ten Pathways to True Artistry (Paperback)

Green has taken a diary kind of style to expose the inner workings of great musicians to the readers. It is fraught with quotations of great musicians he's interviewed and the "inside" details of soloists and orchestra musicians alike. However, although it's fascinating and funny at times, it lacks the public appeal that he might've intended it to have. He chose to expound on facts and details that he's familiar and au fait with but chose not to further research on topics or ideas he's covered that he probably knows not much about. Because of that, the tone of the book is very personal and you'd feel like reading his own diary in which he touches on his upbringing and personal experience and also musicians he has come to know very well. But when it mentions something that is outside of his own personal zone, you can tell it's inserted just for the sake of completeness. This book is recommended for musicians who have attained a certain level of maturity and are interested in knowing what other great musicians have to say and enjoy splashes of Green's personal view of the world of music.

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow !! A MUST Read for the musician and non-musician alike, June 22, 2003

By 

"the_big_z" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mastery of Music: Ten Pathways to True Artistry (Hardcover)

This book is fantastic!!!!

Regardless of if you were one of the millions to read The Inner Game of Music you should drop everything and pick up this book.

As a non-musician music lover, this book gave me a rare and interesting look about what inspires and motivates the greats of our time. It is just amazing to hear Dave Brubeck talk about creativity or what Joshua Bell thinks about as he plays the violin. This book lets you inside the minds of these greats and lets you catch a glance at their genius and then allows you to be inspired by their inspirations. This book not only lets you peak "behind the curtain" of the musical legends but takes you in to their living rooms, childhoods and thoughts !

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Book, August 13, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Mastery of Music: Ten Pathways to True Artistry (Hardcover)

This book is a wonderful book that any reader would love. I'm 12 and I loved it. The author keeps you interested throughout the whole book and it's very educational. The way this book is laid out is really cool. He devotes one chapter to discipline, one to passion, one to fun, one to concentration, etc. and then in that chapter tells you how to acquire that trait in your playing.

As it says in the introduction, you'll find yourself highlighting paragraphs you liked or found interesting as you go along, and you'll find phrases like that on almost every page.

I really really loved this book and I think if you're interested in classical music you should definitely get this book.