THE CLASSICAL

MUSICIAN TODAY
_etting and _eeping the Jareer _ou ant
by
BARRY ALEXANDER & COSMO BUONO
CONTENTS
PART ONE |_he rtist nside
This section of the book will help you explore ideas you might not have considered about building a
career as a professional classical musician, while getting you to ask yourself some soul-searching
questions about who you areand who you think you areas an artist.
CHAPTER ONE | At Its Best... 15
There is one major truth associated with every successful classical musician. The sooner you apply it,
the better your chances for a great career.
CHAPTER TWO | Choosing the Right Teacher 23
The responsibility for teaching is not a one-way street, and good teachers need good students to be
their most effective. This chapter will help you find out how to hold up your end of the bargain.
CHAPTER THREE | The Educated Musician 31
So many people think having a great career is only about performing well. They never consider
factors that not only make them better musicians, but better artists. In this chapter you will learn
how to be both at the same time.












































CHAPTER FOUR | Toward a Philosophy of Auditioning 38
What if there was a way for you to come out of every audition having done your absolute best?
Believe it or not, there is.
CHAPTER FIVE | Toward a Philosophy of Performance 54
Once you get on that stage, there is only one question you need ask yourself in order to stay
totally focused. Hint: its not Does the audience like me?
PART TWO |_he rtist _utside
The chapters in this section teach you how to understand yourself as a commodity
something that is marketed, packaged, and sold over and over again to millions of people
throughout the world, in the name of having a career. It is the one game every musician has
to play, and weve given you rules to make sure you come out a winner.
CHAPTER SIX | YouThe Product 64
The more you think of yourself as a product, the better youll be able to market yourself.
CHAPTER SEVEN | Understanding Yourself as an Artist 73
Heres how to get a sense of your own artistry, and to make sure you never need to base who you are
on what other people say about you.
CHAPTER EIGHT | You at Your Best 77
How to do your absolute best every time you walk onstage.
CHAPTER NINE | You at Your Worst 83
Imagine your worst performance nightmare. Now imagine its actually happening. Dont worry.
Theres a way to fix anything.
CHAPTER TEN | Nerves, What Nerves? 92
Is it an audience or a firing squad? Ways never to be nervous again.











































PART THREE | _ou s a _usiness
Everything youve read up until now was designed to get you ready to be a professional
musician. Now we show you how to build a business.
CHAPTER ELEVEN | Corporate Affairs 105
You are in business to market your talent, performance skills, and a winning personality. You are
your own corporation. Heres how to keep the customers coming back for more.
CHAPTER TWELVE | Things You May Not Want to Hear, but
Really Need to Know 110
The world is full of all kinds of harsh realities, and classical music is no different.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN | On Getting Control of Your Own
Career 124
Find out how to get control of your own career, before it takes control of you.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN | On Taking Control of Your Own
Career 131
Do you know how great artists truly become successful? Do you know who is responsible for their
success? The answer may surprise you.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN | Technique 140
Everything you need to know about taking what you learn in the classroom and using it to create
awe-inspiring performances.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN | Its Nice to Be Nice 153
Being a gifted musician does not mean just giving great performances. In fact, if you want sold out
houses you must understand one very important fact.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN | Learning to Say Please and Thank
You 170
Parents sometimes say to children Whats the magic word? when referring to these. Theyre not
just magic when youre a child.










































CHAPTER EIGHTEEN | Gratitude 176
One simple fact which will keep you encouraged, no matter how frustrated and annoyed you get.
CHAPTER NINETEEN| Looking Good on Paper 188
Youre making contacts, sending press kits, and networking for all youre worth. Just remember one
thing: you have to be just as good as everything that has your name on itand vice versa.
CHAPTER TWENTY | Looking Good on the Web 206
Whether you like it or not, every time someone logs on to your site, or you send an email, its like
youre being interviewed. Heres how to get the job every time.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE | Looking Good. Period. 225
On the other side of the door are people who want to see you. Read this chapter to find out how to
make them want to hear you.
PART FOUR | _ow _oure eady
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO | The Fire Within 241
How to remain motivated, how to stay on course, and how to know every single day what youre made
of as an artist and a person. Factors beyond your control? There are fewer of them now than there
may ever be.
PART FIVE | hapter omments 245

2011, Alexander & Buono International. All rights reserved.