Page 27 - How to Shine on Stage

Kohut (1992) writes that an individual needs to set reasonable per-
formance standards for themselves prior to performing. These should be
consistent with their current level of ability and motivation. The ultimate
factor in progression and achievement is the level of internal motivation.
It is therefore the educator’s primary task to find efficient ways to moti-
vate individuals who are lacking in this respect.
Outi Immonen et al. (2012) define successful musical performance
as a combination of:
1. optimal cognitive readiness 25
2. optimal emotional readiness
3. optimal technical skills and abilities
The foundations of all three types of readiness are built on optimal
physiological readiness and on optimal mental structures.
Sarah Sinnamon (2020) lists the ten steps that are crucial to achiev-
ing a top-quality musical performance: Musical Performance Success
1. accepting the challenge
2. automation of skills and of memorization
3. mental training
4. imagery and visualization techniques
5. positive self-talk
6. dedicated focus and absorption
7. developing a pre-performance routine
8. experiencing positive and negative emotions
9. internal motivation
10. capacity to risk and let go
Hoffding (2015) takes a step further and links expert performance
to the level of consciousness. He states that optimal performance, which
enables the individual to experience an optimal performance state that
both generates inner enjoyment and results in external success, occurs in
a state of higher consciousness. This idea of his is further developed by
Gallagher (2020) in the concept of mindfulness in performance as a key
predictor of successful musical performance.

1.3.4 Musical Performance Success Criteria
Success criteria can be divided into external and internal (Kohut, 1992).
External criteria include various competition awards, good exam marks,