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Practicing And Performing Music

There is a perception that performing and practicing music
are two very different activities. I think that the
relationship between performing and practicing is deeply
intertwined and at a certain level the distinction between
the two virtually disappears.

At some point in a musical career, performing itself
becomes the greater learning experience. Greatly
significant aspect of performing is the tremendous energy
that is experienced during a live performance in front of
a receptive audience.

The true purpose of developing mechanical and musical
ability becomes evident and the focus of practice sessions
is changed. At that point, ironically enough, performing
itself becomes the true learning experience because a
tremendous energy is experienced during a live performance
in front of a receptive audience. The energy of the
audience, as perceived or felt by the performer, pushes
him to new heights of artistic achievement and practicing
becomes preparation to concentrate and enhance that
experience; this marks the beginning of the transition
from musician to artist.

The artist will find new ways of practicing to bring live
performances closer to the pure ecstasy of musical
expression in all ways. Bringing diverse disciplines such
as psychology and other artistic disciplines such as
theater and dance will enable the artist-musician to
achieve greater control of the instrument and maximize the
overall performance itself.

This is the true transformation from musician to artist,
by developing personal, unique and creative ways of
expression. As these progresses, the artist will realize
great improvement in concentration, ease of performance
and greater synchronicity of body, mind and what
professional musicians like to call "soul".

As practice is transformed into a more fulfilling and
rewarding experience is reached an important step towards
scaling the heights of artistic achievement. As music is
something that the artist enjoys, practice is, in effect,
playing music and should always be enjoyed for its own sake.

Article written by Foggerty.