Mind and body: A theory for understanding levels of musical performance - Paperback

by Jon Gorrie (Author)

Musicians around the world are constantly practicing and performing music - beginners and professionals, young and old, accomplished concert soloists and 'pop-star wannabes'. No doubt all of these musicians have received or are currently receiving guidance on their chosen instrument or instruments. This guidance could be in the form of verbal instructions from a teacher, written instructions in the form of a method book, or sensory instructions by listening to the radio or watching popular music programmes on television. All musicians share a common goal - successful music making. But, how many of these musicians have stopped to consider all of the factors that contribute towards a successful performance? Drawing on method books and practical experience, teachers commonly address the technical issues specific to each instrument, but will often stop short of providing a complete explanation of the many issues involved in musical performance. This may well be due to the fact that a holistic approach to musical performance is an extremely complex subject, containing all manner of theories, terms, and ideas that are profoundly difficult to relate in words. To make things more difficult, musicians often use empirical language to explain their ideas, often leaving the student in a state of considerable confusion. The primary aim of this thesis, then, is to present and discuss a theory that gives a clearer understanding of the major variables that affect musical performance. This thesis was submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Music in Performance, and created the foundations for the #1 best selling new release, Performing in The Zone.

Author Biography

Jon Gorrie is a professional trumpet player, brass pedagogue, composer/arranger, and conductor. He is also a performance psychology specialist and author of Performing in The Zone - Unleash your true performing potential! Originally from New Zealand, Jon was taught the art of classical trumpet playing by John (Jack) Lauderdale before being accepted as a post-graduate performance student at the Royal Academy of Music, Royal Northern College of Music, and Trinity College London. Following studies with Howard Snell at the RNCM, he returned to New Zealand and began working as a professional trumpet player in several orchestras and shows, whilst studying for and obtaining a Master of Music degree, awarded with distinction. In 2003 Jon emmigrated to Sweden for professional development studies at the Swedish National Orchestra Academy. During this time he was working as a trumpet player with both the Gothenburg Symphony and Gothenburg Opera orchestras. A move to arctic Norway in 2006 followed, where Jon worked as a trumpet player, brass pedagogue, and conductor, before returning to Sweden again in 2008. Since the release of Performing in The Zone in July 2009, Jon has coached private clients and given lectures about performance psychology. The first of these lectures took place in March 2010 at Auckland University, Waikato Universtiy, and at the HQ of the Royal New Zealand Navy Band. Jon has experienced the cultures of many different countries first hand. He is also fluent in English, Swedish, Norwegian, and has recently translated a jazz guitar compendium from Danish to English.