How To Become A Better Musician

Posture & Body Awareness

You may be surprised that this subject is first on my list. As a musician and teacher of the Alexander Technique I see the positive results of body awareness on my students all the time.

Does your teacher question how you use yourself while playing your instrument? Would you like to improve your sound? Can you hold or touch your instrument with less tension?

It is quite possible to learn music and be aware of HOW you do it at the same time. The results on every aspect of your playing will astound you.

The Alexander Technique is an important part of many music schools and conservatoriums around the world.

Arrogance vs Confidence

Learning music is a life-long pursuit, a never-ending search for that next level of refinement and wisdom.

In my teaching career there have been many (too many) students who think that, after having learned 10 notes and a couple of tunes, they know it all. Uncool!

Arrogance in the music world comes in many forms and those who think it's the way to go usually end up on the losing side.

The way to become a better musician is to be quietly confident of your ability and treat "learning-how-to-play" as an open-ended exciting journey.

Reliability

You may get away with being unreliable if you're a hermit marooned on an island or a super-rich and famous star. But if you're trying to make a living from music, reliability is a key component to keeping that phone ringing.

Be on time, always be able to deliver the "goods" musically, pay attention to directions and remember instructions. And please don't be a chatter-box during rehearsals.

Pitch And Time

It does not matter in which musical direction you are heading, being in tune and being able to listen to and fit in with what your fellow musicians are playing, should be your most important aim.

If you can back that up with the ability to create reliable good strong time (and not just float along), you're well on the way to becoming a respected player.

There are many great tools to strengthen your sense of pitch and time, use the link below to access them.

Reading Music And Interpretation

The best way to improve your music reading skills is to just keep doing it. I managed to find a job where I got thrown in the deep end. I soon learned.

The easier reading music becomes, the more presence you'll gain to interpret (not just play) what's on the page.

It is difficult to be accepted as a professional player unless you can read a piece of music near faultlessly the first time and interpret the style at the same time.

Style

Last, but not least, you must understand the style or styles of music that you are going to play. This applies especially to rhythm section players. In todays multi-faceted music world, styles have become so varied and intricate that you really have to know what you're doing and on top of that, own the appropriate instrument(s) and accessories.

For horn and string players the task is a bit easier but it still pays huge dividends to become familiar with you're style(s) of music.

Keep listening and keep learning.

Read more on how to become a better musician, understand the circle of 5ths, guide tones, scales, intervals & chords at: http://www.eartraining-online.com/

For more detail on posture & body awareness, please visit:
http://alexandertechnique-music.blogspot.com/2010/12/understanding-basic-mechanics-of-body.html

View the original article here