Eloise Ristad deals here with complex problems which torment and cripple so many of our most creative and talented people, and she does so with compassion, wisdom, and wit. The problem of stage fright, for instance, is a suffering of epidemic proportions in our society, and involves modalities of thought and projections that rob spontaneity and enthusiasm in artistic performance.

Those interested in creative education have long felt that an entirely new, holistic and nurturing process of allowing individuals to discover and express themselves is needed if our educational system is to avoid the neuroses and creative blocks of the past generation. This book illuminates through its conversational style the destructive inhibitions, fears, and guilt experienced by all of us as we fail to break through to creativity. This story is told to me day after day in conservatories and college campuses around the world. Indeed I felt at times that she was telling of my own most petty and debilitating fears.

But what is important, A Soprano on Her Head supplies answers and methods for overcoming these universal psychological blocks--methods that have not only been proven in her own studio, but which trace back through history to the oldest and wisest systems of understanding the integration of mind and body. The work bears scrutiny both scientifically and holistically.

This is a wonderful book. Read it. You are not alone.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 15 reviews)

Creative musical thinking

A Soprano on Her Head was an enlightening and fun book to read. I've lent it out to my students as well with recommendations to read a chapter or two at a time.

The examples are vivid and easy to try at home. I enjoyed this creative look at how our bodies can work for us and against us when we're making music.
October 24, 2008

This book is a must for any aspiring musician.

This book is very helpful to anyone wanting to learn any skill better, even though it is geared mostly to piano it applies to anything well. The concept of trusting yourself is intriguing, yet when I really thought about it and put it to the test, it really works. Great book and a must for any aspiring musician. I highly recommend this book. It is very enlightening.
October 18, 2008

Get from the library

The book starts out really interesting with helpful ideas and tips for all performers, but soon becomes a self proclaiming space for Ristad. It has some redeeming qualities, but I wouldn't buy it.
January 27, 2008

A Must Read for Every Performer

This is an amazing book - a must-read for every performer and teacher. I own this book and my copy is falling apart because I read it so much. Very inspirational and insightful. I can't say enough good things about it.
January 02, 2008

A Beautiful Book

I bought this book because of the wonderful things everyone was saying about it. I am a music major, and being one, I have had many struggles. When you want to study music, no one doubts that you love it. A person has to become it. The struggle of learning the right techniques and harder and harder music is enough to make anyone forget why they loved music in the first place. This book is helping me to let the music flow, and use all of this knowledge that I have learned in college. I beleive that any one who has struggled with themsleves and their music should read this book. It is a beautiful part of any library, and should be read by any and all who come across it.
August 22, 2007

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