The Mastery of Music: Ten Pathways to True Artistry

By Barry Green

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0767911571
• ISBN13: 9780767911573
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Superb and inspiring book for music students and professionals

Barry Green's "The Mastery of Music" is a very well written and inspiring book. I have been teaching and performing as a violist for over 35 years and found Barry's book full of simple teaching ideas and ways to raise one's own performing to a higher artistic level. His earlier book, "The Inner Game of Music" is likewise chockfull of easy to apply teaching and playing ideas. Soon to be published in Feb. is his new book about creativity and bringing music to life. I highly recommend "The Mastery of Music" to all! Nancy Kredel, Fairfax, VA

Helpful for Musicians at all levels

I am an not a professional musician but I found the information in this book very helpful for me. I will keep it in my personal library to review from time to time through out the rest of my life. It is very inspiring and practical.

An Amazing Book

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.

Inspiring, insightful

A tremendous resource for both musicians and for those who want to understand what makes a musical artist 'great'. Well organized, clearly written, but never superficial or simplistic. Inspired me to purchase Green's other book, Inner Game of Music.

Wow !! A MUST Read for the musician and non-musician alike

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 !