Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 623
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Hey guys...
Last week I stumbled onto a website (www.soloperformer.com) which has several pages on many topics of being a solo performer...info that is just valuable for any performer, really. Good tips on handling situations, stagepresence, etc. Some stuff is obvious, some not, but I never tire of good advice about music performing.
The site is run by a solo guitarist, Steve Rapson. On there, he also has his book available "The art of the solo performer". I bought it, and it arrived yesterday. I gobbled the whole thing up in one sitting... 165 pages of easy reading. It's written in question/answer form, and answers 100 questions like "what makes a solo performer effective? to What are the elements of a good act? to advice on open mics/networking/websites/promoters/managers & agents/handling critics & hecklers/blanking out on stage, etc. Very personable writing, including humor.
Also last week I picked up (in barnes & noble) the new book by Barry Green (author of "the inner game of music") called "The Mastery of Music-Ten Pathways to True Artistry". In it he tries to define the qualities that make the greats great, with the intention of applying those qualities to your own musicianship. I've only begun this book, and it's a deeper read...maybe a little more on the spiritual/psychological side that some might like. So far it seems great-I love this kind of stuff.
Just thought I'd pass the word on these resources.
Have a great weekend,
Johnny |
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