The Inner Game of Music Explore the basic principles of 'natural learning' and shows how you can apply them to reach a new level of musical application and performance. Books Personal Development The Inner Game of Music ISBN: 1447291727 The Inner Game of Music By Barry Green and W. Timothy Gallway RRP: £9.49 Pan MacMillan Personal Development (1) Purchase Review Share Tweet LinkedIn Pin The Inner Game of Music is the battle that all musicians have to fight against elusive opponents such as nervousness, self-doubt and fear of failure. Using the world-famous Inner Game principles, developed by bestselling author Timothy Gallwey, acclaimed musician Barry Green explains the basic principles of 'natural learning' and shows how you can apply them to reach a new level of musical application and performance. In precise, easy to understand language, Green and Gallwey explain how natural skills - such as awareness, trust and willpower - can be nurtured and enhanced. Through a series of tailored exercises The Inner Game of Music demonstrates the ways in which musicians can achieve exact intonations, artistic phrasing and improved technique. There are also chapters on ensemble playing, improvisation, composition and creativity, as well as listening skills - an essential part of the Inner Game. Following a methodology with a proven track record for generations of aspiring and professional musicians, The Inner Game of Music is invaluable to anyone seriously interested in music, and is guaranteed to deliver positive results whether you are a student, teacher, performer, or simply an appreciative listener. Emmanuel de Haller From Performance to Expression: Exploring the Inner Game of Music Having greatly appreciated The Inner Game of Tennis, I approached The Inner Game of Music with curiosity. While sharing the same foundations, the two books differ significantly in scope and emphasis. One of the enduring strengths of The Inner Game of Tennis is its elegance and simplicity. Timothy Gallwey presents the core concepts of awareness, trust, and the reduction of internal interference in a remarkably concise format. It remains one of the most accessible introductions to what many NLP practitioners would recognise as state management, attentional focus, and the distinction between conscious control and natural learning. The Inner Game of Music builds on these foundations but explores them in a broader context. Music involves not only technical skill and performance, but also creativity, interpretation, emotional expression, and artistic identity. As a result, Barry Green develops the Inner Game model in greater depth and with a wider range of practical applications. The book is richly illustrated with examples drawn from musical practice, including notation, repertoire, and performance situations. Consequently, some familiarity with music is beneficial. Readers without a musical background may find certain examples less accessible than those in Gallwey's original tennis-based work. Nevertheless, the underlying principles extend far beyond music. Green demonstrates how performance is influenced not only by technical competence but also by attention, self-talk, fear, trust, and the relationship between conscious intention and natural ability. These themes will be familiar to coaches, trainers, and NLP practitioners alike. What makes this book particularly valuable is its exploration of domains where creativity and emotion play a central role. While The Inner Game of Tennis focuses primarily on performance, The Inner Game of Music expands the discussion to include artistic expression and personal development. In doing so, it offers a richer perspective on how individuals can learn, perform, and create at their best. For musicians, this book is far more than highly recommended. For NLP practitioners and coaches, it provides an insightful extension of Gallwey's original work and a valuable reminder that the most significant obstacles to excellence are often internal rather than external. Leave a review You must be logged in to leave a review. Login or register to leave a review
