Madeline Bruser: author of "The Art of Practicing", Pianist, Educator

I’m so honoured that Madeline Bruser has agreed to be featured as a guest on this series. When I first read her book The Art of Practicing more than 20 years ago, it helped to transform my experience as a performer and teacher, and on many aspects of my life. Although Madeline’s teaching is aimed primarily at classical pianists and other musicians, I find that much of what she talks about will resonate for everybody trying to get in touch with their emotions, their connection to beauty and meaning, and their experience of being in their bodies. If you happen to be listening to this when it first is released, you should check out Madeline’s free interactive workshop on May 11 at 1pm Eastern. Her website is: https://artofpracticing.com/
Like all my episodes, this is also a video, and the transcript is also linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/madeline-bruser
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If the topics we address in this conversation are of interest to you, you’ll be interested that many of these important issues have come up with past guests and upcoming guests.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:00) why Madeline wrote the book “The Art of Practicing”, Menahem Pressler, meditation
(09:58) Body and Sound Awareness Technique
(13:14) change from performer to teacher, big realizations, founding The Art of Practicing
(19:48) intro to Madeline’s performance of Chopin Fantaisie Impromptu
(20:33) Chopin Fantaise Impromptu
(25:59) Rhythmic grouping, Stephen Burns, Kirk Ferguson
(32:04) colour in harmony and tonal nuances
(34:02) story of tape recorder, listening to ourselves and being vulnerable
(39:14) parallels with actors and musicians, Performing Beyond Fear exercise
(43:43) lineage
(46:23) perfectionism
(50:17) Madeline demonstrates common problems for pianists
(58:04) dealing with injuries, mindfulness
(01:01:25) dealing with stress, teaching online
(01:06:56) journaling
(01:08:58) student-centered teaching, “Freedom to Learn” Carl Rogers
(01:12:51) stage fright and beta blockers
(01:15:06) dealing with stressful or traumatic history
(01:20:42) teaching constructively with kindness, and teacher training
(01:24:00) dealing with feelings of overwhelm, orchestra playing
(01:28:37) pianists and ensemble experience
(01:31:51) upcoming workshops Mindfulness for Pianists, Freeing Your Energy for Performance