Description
Book SynopsisFor musicians to attain the level of peak performance that they know is within their reach, they need to do more than spend time in the practice room. The most accomplished and healthiest musicians lead a balanced and satisfying life in which they place equal emphasis on three areas of musicianship: physical technique (body); analysis and knowledge (mind); and musicianship and creativity (soul). By integrating all of the parts of this triangle, you can learn to communicate creatively and with seeming effortlessness during performance. Organized into four main parts, this book first explores the mind-body connection and then separately discusses the mind, body, and soul of musicians, scholars, performers, and teachers of all voices and instruments. By delving into research literature in both sport psychology and music, you will learn to use mental rehearsal and imagery away from your instrument and deliberate practice at your instrument. You will also learn such relaxation techniques
Trade ReviewWith its multifaceted and holistic approach, McAllister's book is a welcome contribution to the field of music performance and pedagogy. Informative, practical and comprehensive in her approach, the author successfully weaves together the relationship between mind and body in patience and performance. ... The lists of resources are outstanding. ... The many strengths of this substantial text include its broad scope, generous discussions of supporting research, student self-assessments and emphasis on patience techniques away from the instrument. Because of its leading-edge approach to interpretation of the body and mind, it will be a welcome addition to the library of any musician or teacher. * American Music Teacher *
Musicians have become increasingly aware of the importance of physical and mental health and their connection to comfortable and communicative performance. In her comprehensive volume, The Balanced Musician, McAllister has gathered diverse topics on mind-body interaction in one comprehensive package of discussions, exercises, and questions to ponder. Each subject in this invaluable resource is extensively researched, with citations abounding. Nothing is left without a full definition or a reason for inclusion. . . .The author’s background and areas of expertise have led her to deftly target three types of musicians. Students will read the book from cover to cover, working diligently through each exercise, completing all assignments, and hearing and feeling significant changes in their ease of performance. Teachers will use it as a resource, picking and choosing chapters that pertain to specific areas of need, appreciating its influence both on their students and on their own performances. Professional musicians will re-evaluate their performance processes and discover helpful exercises to enhance their skills. This volume is a must-have for the performing musician. * Clavier Companion *
This book shows how the mind responds under pressure and uses anxiety to advantage. Basing much of her research on sports psychology, the author identifies the problems of nerves, tension, self-doubt and other limiting thinking patterns. Things as diverse as a solid grounding in theory and musical analysis, diet, sleep and exercise can help us become ‘profoundly thoughtful musicians’. Just about everything there is to know about the demands of performing is covered, with aids for reflections, extra reading and suggestions for teachers included. A balanced musician ‘manages to be both relaxed and dynamic during performance but also maintains a healthy balance in all areas of life’. This book is a must for every teacher and student who wants to get the best out of performing. * Stringendo *
A significant and major contribution to the literature on mind and body awareness in music performance! With The Balanced Musician, Lesley McAllister offers a comprehensive, logical, and highly informative book that should take its place as the major work to date in this area. It should serve well piano teachers, instrument and voice faculty, general music instructors, college and university music majors, and professional performers–in fact, anyone seeking a healthy approach, mentally and physically, in his or her performance area. The scope of the volume is a remarkably comprehensive, with sections on the mind-body connection, performance psychology, sport psychology, cognitive strategies in performance, mental characteristics of peak performers, mind-to-muscle relaxation techniques, and much more. Musicians are hungry for this information, and McAllister delivers. Inviting and engaging to read, The Balanced Musician is a major contribution! -- Jane Magrath
Dr. Lesley Sisterhen McAllister has created an exciting sourcebook of information vital for every musician who strives to understand the crucial connection of the mind and the body in musical preparation and performance. In The Balanced Musician, she not only explores theories behind this important mind/body connection but provides the musician reader with valuable and practical practice techniques and advice for achieving such a balanced approach to learning and to performing. This book is an invaluable addition to every teacher’s bookshelf, as well! -- Nancy Weems, Professor of Piano, University of Houston
Musicians have acknowledged the importance of understanding the body/mind connection in staying healthy and its vital role in being able to enjoy a lifetime of effortless and joyful music-making. More recently, musicians are recognizing that focusing on the “whole” person is crucial to realizing their musical potential and helping their students maximize their innate abilities as performers. This remarkably comprehensive book introduces readers to up-to-date mind and body topics, strategies and resources, which range from audiation to yoga, the hemispheres of the brain to the Yerkes-Dodson Law. In The Balanced Musician, McAlister offers priceless insights into what today’s musicians need to build successful performing skills and enable them to fully achieve their aspirations. It is a significant addition to the pedagogical literature and deserves a prominent place in every musicians’ and music school’s library. -- Gail Berenson, Professor of Piano, Ohio University, Athens
Table of ContentsIntroduction How to Use this Book Part One: The Mind-Body Connection Chapter One: The Performer’s Challenges Chapter Two: Sport Psychology Chapter Three: The Connection Between Mind and Body Chapter Four: “Performance Anxiety” Part Two: The Mind Chapter Five: Cognitive Strategies Chapter Six: Mental Characteristics of Peak Performers Chapter Seven: Mind-to-Muscle Relaxation Techniques Chapter Eight: Imagery Chapter Nine: Mental Rehearsal Part Three: The Body Chapter Ten: Muscle-to-Mind Relaxation Techniques Chapter Eleven: Stretching Chapter Twelve: The Balanced Musician Appendix 1: Self-Evaluation Form for Video Recording Appendix 2: Anxiety Preview Questionnaire Appendix 3: Imagery Scripts
