As a student of an orchestral instrument, one of the cornerstones of your performing world should be positive role models – individual musicians, ensembles, as well as people outside of your performing sphere – for instance, how would you like to be able to perform in an audition with the same in-The-Zone calm, confidence, and control as Barack Obama?
Often, especialy from younger students, I hear and read that so and so is the *best* trumpet player in the world, such and such is the *best* orchestra – as if a musician and group of musicians could be rated on a scale from 1 to 10.
I believe that this is an unfortunate miscalibration by many younger students, stemming perhaps from a competition-driven dog-eat-dog society or educational institution.
As I mentioned, positive role models are important, but the younger student needs to understand that music and musical performance is subjective, and that there is an immense difference between a person being the ‘best’ at something, and a person’s intepretation ‘appealing’ the most.
I’ll try to give a concrete example. On July the 6th, 1912, Don Lippincott was the fastest man on the planet, running 100 metres in 10.6 seconds. This is not subject to interpretation, rather, it is a concrete fact. On August the 16th, 2009, Usain Bolt was the fastest man on the planet, with his time for the 100 metres recorded at 9.58 seconds. The medium for determining who was the best, or fastest, is fixed – that is, time.
Using trumpet players as an example, there is no medium or method for categotically proving that one trumpet player is the ‘best in the world’. Even if official high/low note, loud/soft, or speed-playing competitions were to exist, these elements in themselves have nothing to do with music – and a trumpet player is first and foremost a musician. Yes, musical competitions do of course exist, and all things being equal, an excellent performer will come away with the 1st prize. However, at the highest levels, it is often a case of subjectivity which determines a ‘winner’ from a ‘runner-up’. In other words, perhaps a different judging panel would have chosen a different ‘winning competitor’.
So, philosophical discussion aside, the message to young musicians is this:
Listen. Listen to many performers – performers of your instrument, performers of other instruments. Listen to many orchestras. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic, NY Phil etc etc – not one of these orchestras is the ‘best’ – but they are all excelent and all worth listening to. You may have your favourite – and that’s ok – but please avoid the trap of saying ‘such and such’ or ‘so and so’ is “the best”.
Now, with that in mind, my next post is of the Berlin Philharmonic performing a few minutes from Strauss’ Alpine Symphony. For a R.Strauss style and sound I prefer the Berlin Phil, but that’s just me
“Just another day at the office…How to get better results in auditons and other high-pressure performing situations” will be published in 4 parts in Conn-Selmer’s Keynotes Magazine.
Performing in The Zone by Jon Gorrie is a book to help ease and manipulate performance anxiety. It follows the lineage of Mental Toughness, The Inner Game of Music, and other books in the genre. I was impressed how he incorporated information from this rich history but still wrote a unique and very practical book. He refers and quotes such texts but doesn’t just reiterate their contents.
The book is divided into four sections:
The Theory – background information on performance anxiety
The Techniques – 20 tools to assist you
The Program – a 12 week mental ‘weight-training’ course
Digging Deeper – further sources and information
This is not just a book but a workbook, a true workbook. It has questions to answer, goals to set, journals to write and more with clear and easy directions for everything. The book really involves the reader which is an absolute necessity for authentic and lasting change.
The 20 techniques represented are quite diverse and although they may not all appeal to everyone there is bound to be many useful ideas for each person.
One of my favorite things about this book is how skills are presented with simple ‘baby steps’. He walks you through the actions with a simple and natural progression. He doesn’t make it feel like a dreaded task or assignment but rather something to look forward to in order to improve your performances and performance abilities. For example, rather than just telling the reader to visualize, he takes you step by step through the process. This adds concrete meaning and makes this important technique more user friendly and applicable.
Performing in the Zone is sectioned nicely with each page divided into easily understood and straightforward chunks or sections. This makes dense topics very palatable. He uses analogies which are always unique and appropriate yet meaningful for the reader.
Gorrie incorporates original algebraic formulas, extending and evolving those from other books. These are not just a re-iteration but a re-thinking and advancement of the material.
For example, The Inner Game of Music presents this:
P = p – i
or
Performance equals Potential minus Interference.
Gorrie posits:
RLP = (c + p – e) + a
or
Resulting Level of Performance equals Cognitive Attributes plus Physical Attributes minus External Interference plus Performance Arousal.
The techniques given are explained well and steps are given to build up to the ideal goals. Rather than just being a ‘do this’ step, he explains how to get there in simple and short explanations. This makes his concepts easier to understand and implement. Quizzes are given at the end of sections to reinforce the information.
Even his more existential, philosophical and eastern texts are well grounded, explained, and related to our western thought patterns. When Gorrie presents familiar concepts, he does so in a refreshing, simple, and useful manner. He understands that not all techniques work for everyone and presents many options for the reader.
He relates The Zone techniques to real life experiences and how to practice and use them in everyday life situations.
Gorrie includes a wonderful and extensive bibliography, references, and resources for future study.
The 12 week program is a well designed mental weight training regiment. It does require the reader / participant to set aside 30-180 minutes a day. However, if you are serious about making change then making the time is not an option. You can’t improve at something without putting forth the effort and these mental workouts are no exception. Fortunately, Gorrie has laid out the plan very systematically with clear directions.
What if the program doesn’t work or isn’t as effective as one hopes? Welcome to Part 4 of Performing in the Zone.
This is a great section with information on physical and mental well-being. He takes a very holistic approach to assist the reader in their wellness and success in achieving ‘the zone’.
Topics include diet and exercise as well as the Alexander technique of body mechanics.
This is one of those book I feel everyone should read. Books like Getting Things Done by David Allen and Alexander Techniques are manuals for living and this book is another one to help people live and prosper.
I look forward to reading and using this book over and over again as its pages and information has staying power as well as new meaning with each read.
Although Gorrie recommends this book for performers and those in the spotlight I feel it can benefit anyone looking to make a positive change in their life.
I really like this audition clip of 4tune on X-Factor.
Watch, and *listen* closely. You can hear that the guys are just a little nervous and cautious in the opening phrases, but after they sing the word “time”, they ‘live’ the song, live in ‘the now’, and give a great performance!
You have to LOVE this performance! It really is a FANTASTIC example of performing in The Zone! During this performance, for all of these musicians – especially the lead-singer/organist/flutist – nothing else exists in the entire universe except ‘the now’ and having a great time putting on an amazing show!
When I was researching Laughing Yoga, or Hasya Yoga as it is known in India, I came across this fantastic site, Laughter Yoga International.
Laughing Yoga might look weird, but don’t knock it ’til you try it!
This Indian health regime has scientifically proven health benefits, including stress reduction, relaxtion of muscles, regulation of blood pressure, and a cleansing of the respiratory system. All good effects for helping you to perform in The Zone!
