BY LIDIA MARINA SPERLING
The guides that every musician needs — and nobody gave them in the conservatory.
Two books addressing everything conservatories leave out: performance anxiety, career direction, creative blocks, burnout, and the joy of a fulfilling life in music. Both available on Amazon.
TWO BOOKS BY LIDIA MARINA SPERLING
FIRST BOOK • 2019
A Practical Guide for Reaching Your Fullest Potential in Performance, Career and Life
For musicians struggling with stage fright, inefficient practice, career uncertainty, creative blocks, or burnout. Seven chapters, two proprietary quizzes, and dozens of practical exercises.
Stage fright
Deliberate practice
Career direction
Creative block
Audition preparation
Paperback US$ 18.76 · Kindle US$ 9.90
SECOND BOOK • 2023
Seven Steps for Wellbeing and Joy in Your Life
A Must-Have Guide for Musicians and Other Professional Artists
For musicians who have given everything to their art and are ready to give something back to themselves. Endorsed by 8 professionals across 5 continents. Deeper focus on the inner life.
Wellbeing
Imposter Syndrome
Perfectionism
Burnout
Authentic life
Paperback US$ 17.00 · Kindle US$ 9.95
FIRST EDITION 2019
Coaching for Musicians
A Practical Guide for Reaching Your Fullest Potential in Performance, Career and Life
The first coaching guide written specifically for professional musicians. Seven chapters, two proprietary quizzes, and dozens of practical exercises — addressing everything from stage fright and deliberate practice to career direction and burnout.
PAPERBACK
KINDLE
US$ 18.76
US$ 9.90
WHAT THE BOOK COVERS — 7 CHAPTERS
I
Performance Anxiety — understanding anxiety before, during, and after a performance, and how to use your emotions rather than fighting them.
II
Technical Preparation — deliberate practice, mental practice, memorization, solving difficult passages, and self-recording.
III
Mental Preparation — motivation, goal-setting, and specific preparation for concerts, exams, competitions, and orchestra auditions.
IV
Relaxation Techniques — breathing exercises, visualization, the Favourite Image technique, meditation, yoga, and BODYBALANCE.
V
Performance and Evaluation — stage presence, the days before a performance, success, failure, rejection, and constructive vs. destructive feedback.
VI
Creative Blocks — injuries, burnout, procrastination, perfectionism, the plateau, and unhealthy work environments.
VII
Career Opportunities — discovering your talents, freelancing, promotional materials, networking, and building a concrete action plan.
ENDORSED BY
DR. SUZANNA HLINKA — PIANIST AND FORMER ACADEMIC LECTURER, AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MUSIC, SYDNEY
"A must-read for all aspiring and professional musicians who seek to enrich their overall well-being. An engaging read — an invaluable contribution to the music world. It was time somebody wrote it!"
WALTER HILGERS — CONDUCTOR AND PROFESSOR, FRANZ LISZT UNIVERSITY OF MUSIC, WEINMAR, GERMANY
"An absolute must for anyone on stage professionally. The first practical coaching guide for musicians — refers to the most important aspects of performance, career, and life. I can only recommend reading and studying it."
ADELINA OPREAN — VIOLINIST AND PROFESSOR OF VIOLIN, ACADEMY OF MUSIC, BASEL, SWITZERLAND
"A practical guide of great value, useful and necessary for understanding the complex process of musicians' training. An in-depth study of all aspects of performance and interpretation."
GOTTFRIED RABL — PIANIST AND CONDUCTOR, VIENNA, AUSTRIA
"One of those invaluable books musicians should have on their bookshelves — beginners and professionals alike. The practical advice opens up unexpected possibilities of self-assessment. A must-have!"
WHAT'S INSIDE
What's inside Coaching for Musicians — and what nobody in your conservatory ever taught you:
Seven chapters. Two proprietary quizzes. Dozens of practical exercises. Here is a small sample of what you'll discover:
1.
The proprietary quiz in Chapter I — 20 questions that reveal exactly how thoughts and emotions influence your performance, scored separately for audience-directed and self-directed anxiety. Most musicians score very differently from what they expected.
2.
Why elite athletes feel the same anxiety as less successful ones — and the single difference that separates those who perform brilliantly under pressure. The sports psychology finding that applies directly to musicians. Page 26.
3.
The counterintuitive truth that Casals, Rubinstein, Pavarotti, Horowitz, and Bocelli all confirmed: stage fright does not decrease with experience. What actually changes — and how to use it to your advantage.
4.
How Horowitz shook so hard during the first measure of a 1980 Lincoln Center concert that a witness said it sounded like Stockhausen — and then played the best Scarlatti sonata they had ever heard. What happened between measure one and the end.
5.
The deliberate practice finding from Anders Ericsson: the best violinists at the Berlin Music Academy practiced the same hours as the second group. The difference had nothing to do with hours — Chapter II.
6.
Why deliberate practice cannot exceed three to five hours per day — and what happens to your progress if you exceed it, no matter how motivated you are. The ceiling most musicians never know exists.
7.
The mental practice technique that activates the same muscular movements as physical practice. The brain gives muscles the same impulse as during a real performance. Used correctly before a concert, your subconscious cannot distinguish it from reality. Chapter II, page 47.
8.
The precise moment to begin recording your repertoire before a performance — not the day before (too late), not too early (misleading). The specific window that gives you the most actionable information. Page 63.
9.
Post-performance anxiety: the experience almost nobody talks about. Why the music keeps replaying in your mind, why insomnia persists, and why some musicians feel ashamed by the compliments they receive.
10.
The Favourite Image technique: a momentary relaxation method usable on the day of a concert or right before stepping on stage. Takes two to three minutes. Uses all five senses. Chapter IV, page 113.
11.
What superficial breathing does to the brain in high-stress moments — and the precise two-step exercise that interrupts it. Four to six seconds per step. Can be done standing in the wings. Page 109.
12.
The ICSOM study: 76 percent of orchestral musicians have experienced a serious injury during their career. The ten early warning signs most musicians miss until it is too late.
13.
How to recognise constructive versus destructive feedback — and the five specific characteristics that help you know when to take advice seriously and when to set it aside. Page 146.
14.
What the plateau actually feels like from the inside — and four specific ways to break through it that have nothing to do with practicing harder. Chapter VI, page 175.
15.
The five entrepreneurial qualities that determine whether a freelance music career succeeds or stalls — and a complete list of career combinations most musicians never consider. Chapter VII.
16.
The action plan template at the end of Chapter VII: define one goal, write every step, assign specific dates, and create the accountability structure that turns a career ambition into a real outcome.
SECOND BOOK • PUBLISHED 2023
Seven Steps for Wellbeing and Joy in Your Life
A Must-Have Guide for Musicians and Other Professional Artists
Endorsed by eight professionals across five continents — including a musicologist from the University Mozarteum in Salzburg, a music performance psychologist in Manchester, and a performance expert in San Diego. A complete roadmap for any musician who has given everything to their art and is ready to give something back to themselves.
PAPERBACK
KINDLE
US$ 17.00
US$ 9.95
WHAT THE BOOK COVERS — 7 STEPS
I
Lifelong Pressure and High Expectations — evidence, statistics on musician mental health, stress, anxiety, depression, and the first steps to take.
II
The Feeling of Vulnerability — procrastination, two types of perfectionism, stage fright, self-confidence, and Impostor Syndrome.
III
What Your Body Is Telling You — injuries, exhaustion and burnout, relaxation techniques, and physical exercises.
IV
Your Career Path — resilience, freelancing, unhealthy work environments, and goal-setting.
V
Use Your Creativity — the characteristics of creative people, discovering your qualities, and exploring new opportunities.
VI
Connect and Stay in Touch with People — social wellbeing, making space for socialising, and building your circle of acquaintances.
VII
Live an Authentic Life — your values, questioning your beliefs, finding your identity, and your contribution to the world.
ENDORSED BY
DR. BARBARA MAYER — MUSICOLOGIST, PIANIST AND COMPOSER, UNIVERSITY MOZARTEUM, SALZBURG, AUSTRIA
"A must-read for every professional artist — an illuminating journey to a fulfilling career-life harmony. Familiarises artists with the creation of an individual identity and an inspiring, charismatic personality ready to fascinate the audience."
JACOB BARNS — MUSIC PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGIST AND RESEARCH ASSOCIATE, VERVE, MANCHESTER, UK
"An insightful resource offering an honest perspective for musicians and artists. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to cultivate self-confidence and find more joy in their lives."
JUSTYNA PONULAK — MUSIC PERFORMANCE EXPERT AND FOUNDER, GROW IN FLOW PERFORMANCE PROGRAM, SAN DIEGO, USA
"An exceptional guide emphasising the crucial need for self-care and wellbeing. Will inspire and empower readers to embark on a journey towards a more vibrant and fulfilling life."
SINDI HARRISON — ACTOR AND VOICE ARTIST, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
"A must-read for young artists entering their professional careers and a thought-provoking reality check for old hands who wish they knew then what they know now."
PAOLO LEONINI — JOURNALIST AND DIRECTOR, MUSEOOGGI.IT, ROME, ITALY
"Clear, gentle and a pleasure to read. Gives you access to a wealth of useful advice: real-life examples paired with working solutions that pave you the way to real happiness."
NATSUMI MALLOY — ORGANIST, ST. THOMAS AQUINAS · PIANIST, KING'S CHAPEL, BOSTON, USA
"Tells you how to deal with performance anxiety and insecurity, and helps you understand the importance of self-acceptance. Topics I wish I knew about earlier in my career!"
NATALIA VILLANUEVA GARCIA — FEEL GOOD COACH AND FOUNDER, MAX STEINER ORCHESTRA, VIENNA, AUSTRIA
"Never before has an author dedicated a complete guide to regain the joy of making music as a professional. Lidia guides us step by step to reconnect with that fundamental spark."
IOANNA VAZELAKI — PERFORMING AND TEACHING DANCE ARTIST, LONDON, UK
"Summarises the wellbeing adversities of performing and creative arts professionals nowadays, offering theoretical ways of tackling wellbeing difficulties and sustaining a healthy work-life approach."
WHAT'S INSIDE
What's inside Seven Steps for Wellbeing and Joy — and what most musicians are too afraid to admit they need:
Eight endorsements from five continents. Seven steps. One honest, practical guide for musicians who are ready to stop pretending everything is fine.
1.
The UK study of almost 2,000 music creators: more than 70 percent experienced high anxiety and 68.5 percent reported depression — musicians are three times as likely to experience depression as the general population. Chapter I, fully cited.
2.
What 84 percent of orchestral musicians from 48 orchestras reported having — and how 76 percent said it severely affected their performance. The number most musicians never hear spoken aloud in the profession. Chapter I.
3.
The truth about chronic stress identified by Gabor Maté: stress can be hidden — sometimes only others notice it, and sometimes nobody does. What this means for musicians who pride themselves on appearing strong. Chapter I.
4.
Two types of perfectionism — and why only one is actually destructive. The distinction that lets you keep your high standards without the psychological cost that comes with the wrong kind. Chapter II.
5.
Impostor Syndrome: its own dedicated chapter. Why the feeling of not deserving your achievements is endemic in the arts — and the specific steps to address it without simply "thinking more positively." Chapter II.
6.
The self-compassion framework from researcher Kristin Neff — three components that research shows increase productivity and creativity. Why self-compassionate people aim just as high as those who are not. Chapter I.
7.
Why suppressing anger — a common survival strategy for musicians who must always appear professional — predisposes the body to specific physical conditions beyond psychological distress. The finding most musicians have never seen in a music book. Chapter I.
8.
The precise moment to begin recording your repertoire before a performance — not the day before (too late), not too early (misleading). The specific window that gives you the most actionable information. Page 63.
9.
What procrastination actually is for musicians — and why it almost never has to do with laziness. The five real causes identified in Chapter II, and a different strategy for each one.
10.
The signs of hidden depression — the version that looks, from the outside, like a happy and productive life. Why it is more common among professional artists than any other group, and why it goes unrecognised for years. Chapter I.
11.
Why freelance musicians carry financial insecurity and the difficulty of defining "success" as permanent psychological burdens — and how these contribute to depression in ways unrelated to their talent or practice hours. Chapter IV.
12.
The specific social wellbeing practices in Chapter VI — why isolation is a structural feature of the music profession and not a personal failing, and the concrete steps to build the connections a sustainable career requires.
13.
What living an authentic life means for a musician — your values, your identity, and your contribution to the world. The chapter most musicians save for later in their career, and why Lidia argues it belongs at the beginning. Chapter VII.
14.
"Find More Joy in Your Life": the closing section in every chapter — a practical exercise producing a tangible positive shift before you turn the page. Seven chapters, seven exercises, seven moments of actual joy built into the reading process itself.
15.
Why this book was written in 2023 and not earlier: what Lidia paid for years of ignoring her own anxiety and stress — and why that personal price became the foundation for everything in this guide.
BOTH BOOKS. ONE COMPLETE SYSTEM.
Read them in order. Or start with whichever challenge feels most urgent right now.
Coaching for Musicians addresses performance, technical preparation, mental preparation, and career. Seven Steps for Wellbeing and Joy goes deeper into the inner life — pressure, vulnerability, creativity, connection, and authenticity. Together they cover every dimension of a sustainable life in music.
Coaching for Musicians (2019)
Seven Steps for Wellbeing and Joy (2023)