General overview
The Flow Music Method applies research emanating from Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi’s flow theory (1975), flow and sport, sports psychology and neuroscience to maximise the positive feelings made possible through playing music. Flow can be described as the feelings that result from being fully engaged in an activity so that all that matters is the experience itself. Feelings such as joy, fulfilment and satisfaction result and anxiety, boredom and frustration melt away. People describe these times as being the best in their lives, the ‘stand-out’ moments.
Eve Newsome’s unique Flow Music Method shows how every musician can learn to intentionally and consciously set up the circumstances to promote flow feelings. It provides practical information based around kinaesthetic, sensory and exploratory goal-setting. There are 12 FLOW TIPS that show musicians how to preserve the balance of challenge and skills by setting realistic, task-focussed goals that stretch their skills just a little. Specific flow techniques are provided to provide a positive and motivating focus for warm-ups, practising repertoire, pre-performance and performance contexts. All techniques can be individualised to suit the circumstances of each individual musician.
Eve Newsome's Flow Music Method
The Flow Music Method has been developed and taught by Eve Newsome since 2002 in private music studio teaching, lectures and various institutional contexts. It has included lectures and lessons for professional musicians, teachers and students at the University of Melbourne, Monash University, Victorian College of the Arts, Canberra School of Music, ANU, Australian Youth Orchestra programs, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Sibelius Academy, Finland, Royal Conservatoire, Den Haag, International Double Reed Society, Australasian Double Reed Society, New Zealand Double Reed Society. Anecdotal feedback from teaching has been very positive, particularly in the areas of physical relaxation, expressive performance quality and the reduction of anxiety. Professional musicians and music students have reported that the Flow Music Method has enabled them to express themselves with ease and to remain more relaxed and refreshed than usual.
Flow warm-up: to be used before every practice, rehearsal and performance
- Focus on the touch sensation with the instrument
- Focus on the quality of relaxation
- Focus on the quality of the sound
Flow with Repertoire: to be used in repertoire practice
- Development of explorative problem-solving using the Flow warm-up principles and improvisation around the repertoire. Numerous supplementary flow enhancing techniques are included.
Flow in Performance: to be used in performance
- Application of the flow warm-up principles and flow enhancing techniques in a range of performance contexts.