I believe in our life as musicians there is nothing casual, everything comes at the exact place and time. In my search for a truthful and motivated performance, I came across a book called: The Inner game of music by Barry Green. Probably most of you have heard of it and even read it. But for those who haven't - this is a guide of improving the musical performance through a powerful 'inner method'�- one which excludes aims and silences our ego, enhances our musical awareness and trust in order to let go and explore our true unique potential. The book is based on The Inner game of tennis by Timothy Gallwey, which was born out of his search for the answer to why he lost a match point at National Junior Tennis Championship. Since then the Inner game has become a standard text for understanding the nature of mental interference in the varied arenas of sport, art and even business.

Months after I read the The Inner Game of Music by cellist Barry Green, which I sincerely recommend, I came across one article by the same author called From Good to Great from his series The Mastery of Music, 10 Pathways of true artistry. Mind you, he wrote it 20 years after The Inner game of music bestseller. Obviously there was something special he realized in these 20 years, which caught my attention as well.

The article starts with an account of his challenge as a teacher in one of his workshops. He was tutoring a singer who appeared to be fluent in technique, concentration as well as The Inner game methods. But there was something major missing in her performance. Why was the singer lacking that prevented her from being brilliant and great?

The answer to this obsessive question led Barry to interview some 120 famous classical and pop musicians. And still it really came when he was watching the news on TV written at the beginning of this article.

The principal bassist of Cincinnati Symphony goes on to determine 10 pathways of true artistry amongst which are COURAGE, CONCENTRATION, CREATIVITY, HUMILITY, COMMUNICATION, INSPIRATION. But for him these are not an aim, they are just a direction of exploration of the soul, the beginning of a long, long journey, which is as long as is the abyss of human spirit. How amazing is this journey of exploration of our musical artistry without aim and restrictions! He concludes: 'The joy is in the journey'�!

Let's take a moment for meditation ' how many times our desires as musicians, our disappointments and even big success distracts us form our unique inner potential, bubbling with life to be explored? Do we not sometimes take music as means of achieving our goals as people, unsatisfied by our reality and things in our personal lives? If these earthly desires gave way to the search of who we are deep down in our souls, we would realise that our 'musical personality'� is more connected to what we are as people than we ever thought.

Whatever change or transformation happens in our lives, will it affect or musical life? My answer is definitely YES. More than we can ever see and understand things are connected between our personal and musical life to join again in our precious spirit. Does it mean then that a great musician is a great person too? What is the element that joins the two together? The answer is LOVE. If we don't love nature, our family, God, our neighbour, ourselves, what can we offer as musicians?

Here comes the answer to Barry's question about the girl's insufficiency as musician. She was a good singer according to the norm but was lacking understanding of life, she first has to live to the full and develop her 'life skills'� in order to understand the laws that govern her soul and her mind.

I would like to add to that a lovely quote by the author of The Inner Game of Music:

'Interesting. You spend your entire life chasing one kind of rainbow ' learning an instrument, getting a degree, getting a job, getting a recording contract and gigs after gigs. And yet when it is all over and done, you are remembered more for your smile, your ability to communicate to your audience and to get people to work together, your creativity and courage.

In conclusion I would say, as performers and singers we receive guiding from our vocal teachers, conductors, accompanists, language coaches, drama tutors but the only real teacher remains real life and its lessons. The only true guide to great musicianship is our true inner self ' in itself a gateway to people's memory.

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