Practicing for Artistic Success: The Musician's Guide to Self-Empowerment [Paperback]

Burton Kaplan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2004

Music performance is an intuitive art. Music practice is a conscious managerial skill. To practice music effectively the musician must be in touch with his intuitive artistic impulses, and at the same time, stand outside the process as a coach, making an endless series of conscious managerial decisions. Most music practicers are ineffective coaches because they have never been taught explicitly the intricacies of managing their practice. "Practicing for Artistic Success: The Musician's Guide to Self-empowerment" is dedicated to describing both the strategies that achieve consistent gymnastic control efficiently and the strategies that facilitate musical expression and communication. It presents an easy-to-learn system to all musicians who are ready to reduce frustration and bring greater meaning and joy into their practice space.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Practicing for Artistic Success" helps musicians build a technique that is synchronous with the ways our minds and bodies work. -- International Musician, March, 2005

About the Author

Burton Kaplan is Director of Magic Mountain Music Farm in upper New York State where for 20 years he has conducted Practice Marathon Retreats for musicians. He is Professor of Violin and Viola at The Manhattan School of Music and New York University and Director of Performance Power, an organization dedicated to teaching a system for harnessing and integrating the powers of mind, body, and spirit in the practice room and on the stage. In these capacities, he has influenced the growth of several thousand pre-professional and professional musicians.

Product Details

• Paperback: 105 pages
• Publisher: Perception Development Techniques (October 2004)
• ISBN-10: 0918316057
• ISBN-13: 978-0918316059
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #560,794 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what I needed, August 7, 2008

By 

Aage J. Barlund "AJB" (Bergen, Norway) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Practicing for Artistic Success: The Musician's Guide to Self-Empowerment (Paperback)

I have studied music for years, and only recently started to produce the outcomes I have desired. When I stumbled upon this book while minding my teachers two cats I knew I had found the secret ingredient missing in my practice routine. I knew I could improve my planning, but I didn't know how. This book puts it right in front of you in easy to follow techniques. Also, the ideas on expectations are great. Just keep improving, one step at the time, and success will eventually follow. The way he puts it is, again, easy to understand and follow. "Better is perfect, and PERFECT is irrelevant!" If you ever want to make the most out of your practicing buck, this book is a must!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential in every music student's library, November 23, 2008

By 

David (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Practicing for Artistic Success: The Musician's Guide to Self-Empowerment (Paperback)

As a long-time music teacher and professional musician, my own experience confirms the dismay I see on the faces of students confronting the task of practicing. This book is, to say the least, extremely helpful in clarifying the practice process. More to the point, it is inspiring, insightful, and, I believe, essential to students of all levels. Wanting to learn music brings us together, but understanding and communicating how to do it is a gift from a Mr. Kaplan.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, March 19, 2008

By 

Annie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Practicing for Artistic Success: The Musician's Guide to Self-Empowerment (Paperback)

This book is great for those musicians that need more encouragement, that also need a guideline on how to practice efficiently, and who want to learn how to prepare themselves to become successful musicians.