Category: the art of performance
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[videos] Music and community
![[videos] Music and community](https://alysehokamp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/screenshot-2025-07-04-at-7.01.59e280afam.jpg)
Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about how music creates a community. A music event gives people a reason to come together. Tastes for particular musical styles and artists create communities. Individual communities share specific music as part of their collective experience. The musicians themselves are a community, but I feel like they often limit…
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6 complaints about classical music
I love classical music, but sometimes the culture surrounding it makes me cringe. 1. Stiff performance manner and conventions -We don’t have to be so black and fancy all the time.-We can interact with the audience before, during, and after the show.-We don’t have to play in a nice, quiet space.-We don’t have to use…
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How to get better at performing
We practice our instruments, a lot. We know we can play, but once we get on stage, something changes. It’s no longer practicing, it’s performing. Performing is a distinct skill. The goal is not to simply recreate what happened in the practice room (“I swear it was better when I was practicing!”). We should think…
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In defense of taking a break
I am always pooped after a gig. Like, I need to go home now and sleep. I know some people are hyped up and buzzing afterwards, but not me! I am physically, mentally, and emotionally drained. I feel happy and creatively satisfied, but also exhausted. As an early bird, I’m up by 5AM every morning,…
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7 things you need to book a new musical act
The musician’s catch 22: How do you book a gig before you’ve had a gig? How can you prove that your musical act is “real?” Shift your thinking to a sales approach. Before you hold a product in your hands, how do you know you want to buy it? Essentially, you buy into the packaging…
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The one thing that makes you successful as a musician
Success in music = artistic collaboration. You must be a good… no, outstanding artistic collaborator. Investing in your artistic relationships isn’t a quick fix for anything. Building and maintaining relationships in general isn’t quick, and won’t result in immediate cash or status. But- it will make you feel successful. There is nothing more rewarding than…