Klarinet Archive - Posting 000815.txt from 1997/07

From: DGross1226@-----.com
Subj: Performance Anxiety in Perspective
Date: Fri, 25 Jul 1997 20:24:21 -0400

In a message dated 97-07-25 02:35:16 EDT, Mark Charette wrote:

<< I personally feel that using a drug to relax before performances isn't
necessary given the right guidance >>

Might I suggest a book, "The Inner Game of Music" by Barry Green with W.
Timothy Gallway, Anchor Press/Doubleday/Garden City, New York, 1986, ISBN
0-395-23126-1. I won't give away the plot, but Mr. Green does a fine job of
putting performance anxiety into perspective with all the other aspects of
becoming a fine performer. They've also written "The Inner Game of Tennis"
and others. Barry Green has been the principal bass with the Cincinnati
Symphony (according to the jackets notes).

IMHO, it's a great book. Give it a try.

Don Gross
La Canada, California

p.s. You'll never find a contrabass clarinet player with performance
anxiety.