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“You
must learn to practice the way you climb a mountain. If
you enjoy the pleasure of each step without continually
thinking of how far away the summit is, you will get there
and you will have enjoyed the hike as well.”
From
Practicing for Artistic Success
Click
on the above cover
to see a larger view.
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For
19 years, Burton Kaplan has conducted Practice Marathon
Retreats for musicians at Magic Mountain Music Farm in upper
New York State. Practicing for Artistic Success
is a systematization of the information accumulated in those
workshops. It enables any musician who is ready to change
to take a giant step forward in practice effectiveness.
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Musicians
Praise for
Practicing for Artistic Success
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| “Burton
Kaplan’s nuanced ideas are articulated with generosity
and keen insight into the layers of skill that are essential
to effective, systematic performance conditioning. With
a clarity of presentation and an abundance of solutions
to complex practicing challenges, this is an essential
book for every musician’s library.” |
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--Amy
Frost Baumgarten, Principal Cello,
Washington National Opera Orchestra
Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra
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| “To
the best of my knowledge, Burton Kaplan is the most
expert pedagogue of musical performance in the country.
His approach enables the player to build a technique
that is synchronous with human nature, with the ways
our bodies really work; it allows for the possibility
of uncovering great artistic expression while working
alone. My own coaching and teaching have benefited
immeasurably from his strategies.” |
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--Scott
Anderson, Principal Clarinet
Honolulu Symphony
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| “Burton
Kaplan has produced a guide that goes beyond previous
thought about the psychology of practicing. It fairly
compels the reader to put the book down and get to work!
I look forward to the day when this enjoyable, inspiring
text is required reading for student and teacher alike.” |
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--
Manny Laureano, Principal Trumpet
the Minnesota Orchestra
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| "Practicing
for Artistic Success: The Musician’s Guide to Self-Empowerment
covers the body, mind, and spirit of music making, exposing
many common practice habits as inefficient at best and
often counter productive. This book offers a wealth
of better advice on ways to achieve our performance
goals. It will become a must-have item in every
performing musician's library, whether student, teacher,
or professional. All my students will be required to
use it as a guide to higher levels of achievement and
satisfaction." |
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--Toby
Hanks, Chair, Brass Department
Manhattan School of Music
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| "Burton
Kaplan's principles are so clear and so universally
applicable, I wonder that I never thought this way myself!
His discoveries, which apparently have never before
been so thoughtfully analyzed or so thoroughly presented,
save loads of time and eliminate so much agony!"
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--Cullan
Bryant, Internatonally Renowned
Collaborative Pianist
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Music
performance is an intuitive art. Music practice is a conscious
managerial skill. To practice music effectively the musician
must be in touch with his intuitive artistic impulses, and
at the same time, stand outside the process as a coach,
making an endless series of conscious managerial decisions.
Most music practicers are ineffective coaches because they
have never been taught explicitly the intricacies of managing
their practice. Practicing for Artistic Success: The Musician's
Guide to Self-Empowerment is dedicated to describing both
the strategies that achieve consistent gymnastic control
efficiently and the strategies that facilitate musical expression
and communication. It presents an easy-to-learn system to
all musicians who are ready to reduce frustration and bring
greater meaning and joy into their practice space.
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