What type of practice makes a musician perfect? What sort of child is most likely to succeed on a musical instrument? What practice strategies yield the fastest improvement in skills such as sight-reading; memorization; and intonation? Scientific and psychological research can offer answers to these and other questions that musicians face every day. In The Science and Psychology of Music Performance; Richard Parncutt and Gary McPherson assemble relevant current research findings and make them accessible to musicians and music educators. This book describes new approaches to teaching music; learning music; and making music at all educational and skill levels.Each chapter represents the collaboration between a music researcher (usually a music psychologist) and a performer or music educator. This combination of expertise results in excellent practical advice. Readers will learn; for example; that they are in the majority (57%) if they experience rapid heartbeat before performances; the chapter devoted to performance anxiety will help them decide whether beta-blocker medication; hypnotherapy; or the Alexander Technique of relaxation might alleviate their stage fright. Another chapter outlines a step-by-step method for introducing children to musical notation; firmly based on research in cognitive development. Altogether; the 21 chapters cover the personal; environmental; and acoustical influences that shape the learning and performance of music.
#608108 in eBooks 2013-09-11 2013-09-11File Name: B00495XQR6
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Not just another "actor self-help" book!!!By Becky P.Its easy to become quickly overwhelmed as an actor trying to learn about the business of acting. There are endless amounts of books. classes. and resources - all which claim to lead an actor to the path of fame and success. What I found boldly refreshing about Brad Lemacks book. The New Business of Acting. is that no such promise is made. In fact. the book stresses its the actors job to do the work. research. and persevere in order to have a successful career as an actor. In his book Lemack lays out the foundation and facts about the skills needed for an actor to be successful based on his own successful career and experiences.This book equipped me with a greater understanding of how important it is to have an exceptional headshot and how to apply the tools in marketing myself as an actor in the prominently digital world we live in. Furthermore Lemacks perspective on the landscape of casting and the chapter on Emotional. Physical. and Fiscal Fitness was perfectly eye opening! The information I took away from this book has helped me move confidently towards the new business of acting.Im so grateful for Lemacks fresh and candid interpretation on the business and value each tool Ive learned to improve the outcome of my choices. This book - with its excessive amounts of highlighting. underlining. and dog-eared pages Ive created - will continue to be a guide I will carry with me throughout my thrilling journey of creating my footprint as a performer in the entertainment industry.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Essential read for anyone hoping to work in entertainment!By Gemma SI bought this book while I was in Los Angeles doing an internship in the entertainment industry. I had little knowledge of the industry before I got there and I cant Imagine trying to keep up without this book! Regardless of what part of the industry you work in. this book is a useful tool for anyone starting out. This book taught me about the roles of agents. managers. casting directors. producers. publicists. and obviously. actors.Definitely a must read!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A MUST READ FOR ANYONE CONSIDERING ACTING AS A LEGITIMATE CAREER PATHBy Timothy TaylorTake it from a person who had always loved acting. but felt lost when it came to pursuing it. Brads textbook put me on track and laid the steps and pathways out before me for what it takes to be a successful working actor in this town. The book is honest and brings your career dream down to earth. for better or for worse.
