How sharing your truth is the only way for the classical musician
Often times here at The Musician's Mindset, I encourage classical musicians in the power and importance of the work you do. In my heart of hearts, I believe that music allows access to the deepest parts of people, gives voice to the pieces of us that words can’t touch, and causes us to contend with the sometimes dark and painful aspects of our humanity.
I also preach that every single musician’s voice matters; each artist has a lived experience that, when authentically shared on the stage, will touch the audience and cause reflection, connection, and understanding.
I recently experienced the premiere of Flutronix's piece Black Being and it has now settled into a permanent corner of my heart where it will forever reside. As a white woman, it was wildly uncomfortable while simultaneously expanding my empathy and understanding of the black woman’s experience in this country. There were moments of transcendent beauty where I felt the strength and power of these women in every nerve ending in my body. And other moments where I had to force myself to receive the truth of our nation’s story and not protect myself from the violence and pain. This piece elevated my consciousness and made me a more compassionate human on this planet.
How does music do that? What do players need to tap into within themselves to create with such power?
My answer? AUTHENTICITY.
When artists create from a place of truth and vulnerability, the result is exquisite. Classical musicians are not machines whose job is to execute perfect orchestral excerpts or flawless sound production. While that may be part of the job at times, your calling is creation.
Your calling is to crack open your heart and share your truth with the community gathered in a concert hall.
There is only one YOU. The eyes with which you view beauty and pain with, the voice that shouts protests and whispers “I love you”, the hands that touch the keys of your instrument and stroke your baby’s cheek, the heart that was broken when he died and also rises up to love again. It is all only you. It is all that you are called to pour forth on stage.
My encouragement for you today is to treasure yourself. Honor your story. Hold yourself with wonder.
And BE BRAVE. We need to hear what you have to say.
Next Steps and Additional Resources
Here at The Musician's Mindset, we have some incredible resources for developing and implementing mindset practices that will transform how you perform on stage.
First, check out our Personalized Mindset Tools Quiz to discover the mindset strategies perfect for YOU!
Schedule your FREE 30 Minute Call with Katie. It’s free. It’s my pleasure. And it’s the first step to releasing stage fright once and for all.
Katie Frisco
Founder of The Musician's Mindset
Katie is dedicated to helping musicians overcome stage fright and believe in their own unique artistic voice. She believes live classical music is a powerful antidote for the division, pain, and loneliness pervasive in the culture and strives to support all artists to confidently share their work with the world. She lives in Cincinnati with her husband, three kiddos, a dog, a snake, and a goldfish named Orca.