The Bulletproof Musician

By Noa Kageyama

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Episodes: 324

Description

Ever wonder why you can practice for hours, sound great in the practice room, and still be frustratingly hit or miss on stage? Join performance psychologist and Juilliard alumnus/faculty Noa Kageyama, and explore research-based “practice hacks” for beating anxiety, practicing more effectively, and playing up to your full abilities when it matters most.

Episode Date
How Much of an Effect Does Hydration Have on Practice & Performance?
Apr 28, 2024
Feel Like You’re Getting Worse? Here’s Why That May Not Just Be Your Imagination.
Apr 21, 2024
An Unconventional Way to Enhance Your Focus in the Practice Room
Apr 14, 2024
Frank Almond: On Work, Fun, and the Importance of Both in Dealing with Adversity
Apr 07, 2024
How the Wrong Kind of Praise Could Increase a Student’s Feelings of Shame
Mar 31, 2024
Can We Learn Faster by Thinking Less?
Mar 24, 2024
To Play More Accurately, Change Your Focus?
Mar 17, 2024
Why Good Ensemble Playing May Require More Than Just Your Ears
Mar 10, 2024
A Gentle Way to Help Kids (or Adults) Build Performance Confidence?
Mar 03, 2024
A Simple Strategy for Reducing Worries and Practicing With More Focus
Feb 25, 2024
Why the Wrong Kind of Praise Could Heighten a Student's Fear of Failure
Feb 18, 2024
Do You Have a Bias Against Creative Students (Without Realizing It)?
Feb 11, 2024
Steven Tenenbom: On Rhythm, Phrasing, and the Life Within Each Note
Feb 04, 2024
Can Good Luck Charms and Superstitious Rituals Enhance Performance?
Jan 21, 2024
A Simple Technique to Prevent Choking (Which Sounds Like it Couldn’t Possibly Work)
Jan 14, 2024
WOOP: A Better Way to Set Goals?
Jan 07, 2024
How Important Is It to Write Down Your Goals?
Dec 31, 2023
How Important Is “Perfect Practice” When Learning Something New?
Dec 24, 2023
Why It's Important to Identify (and Use) Your "Signature Strengths"
Dec 17, 2023
Jason Shafer: On Healthier Practicing & Strengths-Based Performing
Dec 10, 2023
A Mindset Shift That Can Help You Respond to Setbacks With Even Better Performances
Dec 03, 2023
Reduce Burnout With a Simple Three-Step Exercise
Nov 26, 2023
The Best Way to Breathe for Reducing Stress?
Nov 19, 2023
The Best Thing to Listen to Backstage for Reducing Anxiety?
Nov 12, 2023
Benjamin Kamins: On Self-Judgment, Slow Practice, and Reed-Making
Nov 05, 2023
Why Lowering Standards Can Sometimes Promote Better Learning
Oct 29, 2023
“Brain Fatigue” and the Best Thing to Do on Practice Breaks
Oct 22, 2023
Why Reflection Should Be Part of Your Daily Practice Routine
Oct 15, 2023
How to Practice for More Consistent Performances
Oct 08, 2023
Christine Carter & Ellen Hendriksen: On the Perils of “Perfect Practice”
Oct 01, 2023
Are Today’s Musicians More “Clone-Like?"
Sep 24, 2023
Why Practicing Too Much Could Actually Increase Errors
Sep 17, 2023
How Consistent Do Pre-Performance Routines Need to Be?
Sep 10, 2023
The Surprising Truth about Learning Styles
Sep 03, 2023
Difficulty Staying Focused While Practicing? Why “Airplane Mode” May Not Be Enough
Aug 20, 2023
A Hack to Boost Your Practice Efficiency
Aug 13, 2023
On Building an Audience in 2023: Ken Kubota & Morgan Davison
Aug 06, 2023
When Is the Best Time to Start Memorizing a New Piece?
Jul 30, 2023
The "Lazy" Person’s Guide to Mastering Self-Control
Jul 23, 2023
Two Things Experts Do Differently When Practicing
Jul 16, 2023
On Building an Audience in 2023: Sumina Studer & Drew Forde
Jul 09, 2023
How to Make Practicing Feel Less Like a Chore
Jul 02, 2023
Self-Compassion: Does It Help or Hurt Performance?
Jun 25, 2023
Why Singing Could Enhance Your Daily Practice
Jun 18, 2023
For More Effective Practice, Try…Longer…Pauses
Jun 11, 2023
George Waddell: On the Hidden Consequences of Music Competitions
Jun 04, 2023
How to Make Mental Practice Even More Effective
May 28, 2023
The Superiority of Intentionally Imperfect Practice?
May 21, 2023
Menahem Pressler: On Following Your Heart
May 14, 2023
How to Find the Perfect Strings for You and Your Instrument
May 07, 2023
How to Learn Better From Failures (And Successes Too)
Apr 30, 2023
“Productive Failure”: Why Early Floundering Leads to Better Learning
Apr 23, 2023
Why Improvisation Should Be Part of Every Young Musician's Training
Apr 16, 2023
Two Ways to Simulate Performance Pressure (and Which Works Best)
Apr 09, 2023
​Aaron Williamon: On Becoming a Better, Happier, and Healthier Musician
Apr 02, 2023
How Intentional Errors Could Accelerate Learning
Mar 26, 2023
How to Stay in a More Positive Headspace Before Performances
Mar 19, 2023
Get Unstuck in the Practice Room With a “Creative Pause”
Mar 11, 2023
Hans Jørgen Jensen: On Practicing With the Mind, Not Just the Fingers
Mar 05, 2023
How to Give Students Critical Feedback Without Crushing Their Confidence
Feb 26, 2023
How to Minimize Intrusive Thoughts When You’re Practicing
Feb 19, 2023
Boost Learning and Performance With Naps, Not Coffee!
Feb 12, 2023
Robert Duke: On the Value of Errors, and How Learning Really Works
Feb 05, 2023
19 Things That Great Teachers Do
Jan 29, 2023
How the ‘Gift’ Reframe Could Enhance Performance
Jan 22, 2023
How to Nail Shifts and Big Leaps More Consistently
Jan 15, 2023
How to Keep Anxiety From Spiraling, on Stage and Off
Jan 08, 2023
The Best Type of Goals for More Success in the Year Ahead
Jan 01, 2023
A Clever Practice Hack to Make Practicing More Enjoyable
Dec 25, 2022
The Problem With Intense Laser-Like Focus in the Practice Room
Dec 18, 2022
Why a Little Self-Doubt Before Performing Could Be a Good Thing
Dec 11, 2022
Jennifer Montone: On the Unspoken Mental and Emotional Aspects of Being a Musician
Dec 04, 2022
Why Telling Yourself to “Calm Down” Backstage May Be Counterproductive
Nov 27, 2022
Why Trying to "Think Positive" All the Time Could Make You Feel Worse
Nov 13, 2022
Kim Laskowski: On Developing a Beautiful Expressive Sound and Teaching Yourself How to Learn
Nov 06, 2022
How Important is Listening to Recordings, Really?
Oct 30, 2022
The Practice Strategy That Could “Bulletproof” Your Memory Under PressureThe Practice Strategy That Could “Bulletproof” Your Memory Under Pressure
Oct 23, 2022
A Better Way to Do Mental Practice
Oct 16, 2022
The Problem With Time and Repetition-Based Practice Goals (And What to Do Instead)
Oct 09, 2022
When is the Optimal Time to Start Doing Performance Practice?
Oct 02, 2022
What Is More Effective for Learning - Praise or Criticism?
Sep 25, 2022
Is It Possible to Increase Your “Immunity” to Nerves? The Research Suggests Yes - And Here’s How to Do It.
Sep 18, 2022
Wish You Could Memorize Better? Why a Little Bit of "Verbalization" Might Be the Missing Ingredient.
Sep 11, 2022
David Juncos & Elvire de Paiva e Pona: On ACT and a New Approach to Overcoming Performance Anxiety
Sep 04, 2022
Optimizing Practice: 2 Things That the Best Performers Do & 1 Thing That the Best “Improvers” Do
Aug 28, 2022
Why Ear Training Might Matter More Than You Think
Aug 21, 2022
Two Helpful Things to Think About on Stage, Right Before You Start Playing
Aug 14, 2022
If You Have Difficulty Staying Focused While Practicing, Could Clutter Be a Factor?
Aug 07, 2022
Memory Reconsolidation: A Way to Dump Your Negative Audition and Performance Baggage?
Jul 31, 2022
Three Ways to Teach Students How to Play More Expressively (Is There a “Best” Way?)
Jul 24, 2022
How Making Mistakes Can Accelerate Learning
Jul 17, 2022
The Two Most Efficient (and Two Least Efficient) Memorization Strategies
Jul 10, 2022
Brian Alegant: On the Difference Between MUSIC Theory and Music THEORY
Jul 03, 2022
Why Your Playing (or Singing) Tends to Become Less Musically Expressive on Stage
Jun 26, 2022
Do the Best Performers Also Provide the Best Advice?
Jun 19, 2022
Why Thinking Out Loud Could Help You Become a More Efficient Practicer
Jun 12, 2022
Peter Keller: On Becoming More Skilled Ensemble Musicians with Insights from Cognitive Science
Jun 05, 2022
An “Awkward” Way to Increase Motivation and Make More Progress Towards Your Goals
May 29, 2022
How to Clear Your Mind of Worries Before a Big Performance (revisited)
May 22, 2022
Evidence That Performing From Memory May Be More Challenging for Pianists Than Others (What?!)
May 15, 2022
Do You Struggle With Unreliable Memory on Stage? Perhaps Your Memorization Strategy is Missing This Key ingredient...
May 08, 2022
Keith Underwood (Part 2): On Breathing and the Problem With Thinking of Air as the Solution to Everything.
May 01, 2022
Keith Underwood (Part 1): On the Art of Imitation, and How to Glean Transformative Insights From Great Musicians to Level Up Your Playing.
Apr 24, 2022
How Mental Imagery Can Help You Become a Better (Or More "Psychic") Chamber Music Partner
Apr 17, 2022
How Does One Learn to Play More Musically?
Apr 10, 2022
Do We Really Sound as Terrible on Stage as We Sometimes Think We Do?
Apr 03, 2022
"Quiet Eye": A Technique to Enhance Performance When You're Nervous
Mar 27, 2022
Prone to Procrastinating? Why the Way You Set Deadlines Could Make Things Worse, Not Better.
Mar 20, 2022
Having a Bad Practice Day? Turn It Into a Good One With This 3-Step Self-Coaching Technique.
Mar 12, 2022
Adina Mornell: On Learning How to Practice in Such a Way That Performing Can Be Something We Enjoy, Rather Than Fear
Mar 06, 2022
How to Get Your Brain to Do More Learning BETWEEN Practice Sessions
Feb 27, 2022
How to Get Yourself to Practice When You Don't Feel Like It
Feb 20, 2022
Why You Get Sucked Down the YouTube Rabbit Hole When Practicing (And How to Prevent This Without Having to Break Up With YouTube)
Feb 13, 2022
Joshua Weilerstein: On a Conductor’s Journey, and Why It Might Be Awesome if Every Musician Spent a Day in a Conductor’s Shoes
Feb 06, 2022
Research-Tested Practice Strategies That Will Help You Learn New Pieces Faster
Jan 30, 2022
How the Things You Say to Your Students Can Change the Positivity (Or Negativity) of Their Inner Voice
Jan 23, 2022
Does Perfectionism Really “Kill” Creativity? If So, What’s the Alternative?
Jan 16, 2022
A Practice Strategy That Could Potentially Be Twice as Effective as Regular Practice?
Jan 09, 2022
How to Be a Little More Awesome in 2022? Try These Top Tips and Insights From 2021.
Jan 02, 2022
Why Practicing Practicing from an Early Age is So Important
Dec 26, 2021
Two Approaches to Memorization - One of Which Can Leave You Lost and Stranded if You Rely on It Too Much!
Dec 19, 2021
Not Sure How to Do Mental Practice? Here's a 7-Point "How-To" Guide
Dec 12, 2021
Kristian Steenstrup: On Singing, Solfège, and Cultivating a More Efficient Approach to Learning New Music.
Dec 05, 2021
Struggling to Get a Tricky Passage up to Tempo? Why Slow, Accurate Practice May Actually Be the Problem.
Nov 28, 2021
Evidence That Too Much Consistency in Practice Could Potentially Hinder the Learning Process (What?!)
Nov 21, 2021
Why Too-Short Practice Breaks Could Undermine Your Learning
Nov 14, 2021
Vivian Hornik Weilerstein: On Listening, Leading, and Learning How to Be More in Sync With Your Music-Making Partners.
Nov 07, 2021
How Do Experts Get Even Better? 5 Lessons From the Practice of Expert vs. Intermediate Athletes.
Oct 31, 2021
What to Do When Everyone Thinks You're Great - But You Feel Like a Failure
Oct 24, 2021
If We Want to Maximize Learning, is It Better to Focus on Our Failures? Or Our Successes?
Oct 17, 2021
Evidence That Listening to a Recording Could Accelerate the Learning Process for New Repertoire
Oct 10, 2021
Merry Peckham: On Rehearsing, Performing, and Growing as a Musician (And Person!) in Chamber Music
Oct 03, 2021
A 5-Step Strategy for Enhanced Motor Skill Learning (Especially if You're an Older Learner!)
Sep 26, 2021
Having Difficulty Turning Off the Worries? Here Are the Strategies That Research Suggests May Work Best.
Sep 19, 2021
Feeling a Bit Down and Unmotivated? This Motivation Hack Might Help You Get More Done and Perk Up a Bit.
Sep 12, 2021
Daniel Matsukawa: On Cultivating a Great Sound, and Three Components of Becoming a Better Practicer
Sep 05, 2021
Difficulty Getting to Sleep? Try “Serial Diverse Imaging” - a Crafty Way to Trick Your Brain Into Going to Sleep.
Aug 29, 2021
Wish You Could Be Less Stressed on Concert Days? Try This Unexpected Activity, Used by an Olympic Gold Medalist (and Grandmothers Everywhere 🙂)
Aug 22, 2021
Adequate Learning Vs Overlearning: How Many Repetitions Is Enough?
Aug 15, 2021
Two Things Experts Do Differently Than Non-Experts When Practicing
Aug 08, 2021
Ann Bergeron: On Facilitating a More Positive Learning Experience, More Effective Skill Acquisition, and More Creative Artists
Aug 01, 2021
A Simple Practice Scheduling Hack That Couldn’t Possibly Be as Effective as It Seems
Jul 25, 2021
Why Thought Stopping Doesn’t Work (And the Paradoxical Strategy That Might Work Better)
Jul 18, 2021
Evidence That You Should Probably Be Taking Practice "Micro-Breaks," if You Want to Maximize Learning.
Jul 11, 2021
Natasha Brofsky and Roger Tapping: On Learning New Repertoire and Getting to Know a Composer’s Unique Language
Jul 04, 2021
Can’t Stop Worrying About an Upcoming Performance? Here’s Why Practicing More Might Not Be the Answer.
Jun 27, 2021
What’s the Best Type of Feedback to Provide, if the Goal Is to Increase Students’ Intrinsic Motivation?
Jun 20, 2021
Forget White Noise. There May Be a Better Type of Noise That Could Potentially Enhance Memory While You Sleep.
Jun 13, 2021
Lori Schiff: On Adapting to Remote Instruction, and Learning to Teach Alexander Technique Online
Jun 06, 2021
Which Is Better - A Verbal Pep Talk or a Visualization Pep Talk?
May 30, 2021
A Test of Three Practice Schedules, and the One That Works Best (Especially for Older Learners)
May 23, 2021
Need to Work on Shifting or Leaps From One Note to Another? Here’s How Mental Practice Could Help.
May 16, 2021
The Kantor Family: On Being Effective Music Parents to Musical Children
May 02, 2021
Finals Coming Up Soon? Here’s Why You Shouldn't Just Read and Review Your Notes.
Apr 25, 2021
Is “Perfect” Practice as Essential a Thing As We Tend to Assume It Is?
Apr 18, 2021
Having Difficulty Moving Past a Particularly Distressing Audition or Performance? “Just Think Positive” May Not Be the Best Strategy...
Apr 11, 2021
Does the “Memory Palace” Strategy Really Work? And Is It Something Musicians Could Use?
Apr 04, 2021
Evidence That Most of Us Are Terrible at Knowing When to End Conversations
Mar 28, 2021
“Zoom Fatigue” - Why It Happens, and a Couple Things You Can Do About It
Mar 21, 2021
A Simple Writing Exercise That Could Help You Perform More Confidently
Mar 14, 2021
Astrid Schween: On Cultivating Routines, Curiosity, and 800 Different Spiccatos
Mar 07, 2021
How NOT to Support a Student Who Is Struggling (and What TO Do as Well)
Feb 28, 2021
Want Your Students to Be More Engaged, Take More Risks, and Get Better Grades in Class? Here’s Why Your Mindset Matters.
Feb 21, 2021
Specific Times When Smart Goals Can Be Counterproductive (and What Strategy to Use Instead)
Feb 14, 2021
Kris Chesky: On Hearing Health, Earplugs, and How the Best Strategy for Protecting Young Musicians’ Ears Might Help Them Become Better Musicians Too
Feb 07, 2021
Does a Musician’s Physical Movements and Gestures Affect How Musical We Think They Are?
Jan 31, 2021
How to Cultivate Better Rhythm and Avoid Clipping Notes (and Rests) Short
Jan 24, 2021
For Better Rhythm and Timing, Count With Your Body Too, Not Just Your Mind
Jan 17, 2021
Stressed and Having Difficulty Getting Out of a Negative Thought Spiral? Here's How (and Why) Mother Nature May Be Able to Help
Jan 10, 2021
Make Practicing in 2021 a Little More Effective With These Top Tips From 2020
Jan 03, 2021
A Better Way to Present Ourselves on Social Media? A Simple Adjustment for Improved Mood and Greater Well-Being.
Dec 27, 2020
Regular Bragging vs. Humblebragging: Which Works Better?
Dec 20, 2020
Need a Break? Here’s a Simple Way to Boost Your Mood and Feel More Refreshed After a Long Week of Practice.
Dec 13, 2020
David Leisner: On Overcoming Focal Dystonia and Learning to Play With Ease
Dec 06, 2020
Toby Appel: On Learning to Trust Yourself
Nov 22, 2020
How Effective Is Mental Practice for Memorizing New Pieces?
Nov 15, 2020
Stressed, Anxious, and Feeling a Little Burned Out? Here’s How an “Awe Walk” Could Help.
Nov 08, 2020
Bob Fisher: On What It Takes to Become Great at Something and Set Multiple World Records (at Age 50+)
Nov 01, 2020
Having Long-Term Goals Is Important, but Research Suggests That We Should Enjoy the Little Things Too
Oct 25, 2020
Have a Tendency to Play “Too Safe” Under Pressure? Here’s a Daily Habit That Could Help You Play More Fearlessly on Stage.
Oct 18, 2020
A Counterintuitive Way to Build Confidence, a Tiny Bit Each Day
Oct 11, 2020
Jason Sulliman: On Why Fast, At-Tempo Practice Can Be More Efficient and Effective Than Slow Practice
Oct 04, 2020
How Using Social Media Apps Before Practicing Could Sabotage Practice Quality (and Performance) Over Time
Sep 27, 2020
What Does the Research Say About Having a Couple Drinks Before Performing?
Sep 20, 2020
8 Things Top Practicers Do Differently
Sep 13, 2020
Minna Chung: On the Mysteries of Intonation and a Few Things We Can Do to Play Better in Tune
Sep 06, 2020
How Many of Our Mistakes Do Audiences (and Other Musicians) Actually Notice?
Aug 30, 2020
Handling Conflicts in Ensembles: A Few Things We May Be Able to Learn From the Research on Marital Satisfaction...?
Aug 23, 2020
Is This Really a Significant Factor in How We Choose Our Teachers and Mentors?
Aug 16, 2020
Why It May Be Useful to Laugh a Bit More in the Months Ahead
Aug 09, 2020
Stephen Hough: On the Question “Is Memorizing Music Really All That Important?”
Aug 02, 2020
How to Keep the Critic in Your Head From Wrecking Your Practice Session
Jul 26, 2020
Why the Progress You Make in the Practice Room Seems to Disappear Overnight - PART 2
Jul 19, 2020
An Email Hack That Could Increase the Likelihood of Getting a Reply (and Possibly Make the World a Slightly Better Place for Everyone Too)
Jul 12, 2020
Jason Haaheim: On “Deliberate Lessons” and How to Become a Better Teacher to Yourself
Jul 05, 2020
3 Questions to Ask Yourself That Could Boost the Effectiveness of Your Next Practice Session
Jun 28, 2020
Having Difficulty Motivating Yourself to Practice? Research Suggests That Copycatting a Friend Could Help.
Jun 21, 2020
Evidence That You're Probably Not Great at Performing and Critiquing Your Performance at the Same Time
Jun 14, 2020
Christian Howes: On Overcoming Improvisation Anxiety, Making Technical Practice More Creatively Satisfying, and Becoming a Better Friend to Yourself
Jun 07, 2020
How the Things You Think about Backstage Could Carry over into Your Performance
May 31, 2020
How to Talk to Yourself When You’re Having a Bad Practice Day (or Week)
May 24, 2020
Having Difficulty Believing in Yourself? Here’s a Confidence-Building Technique That Doesn’t Feel Like You're Lying to Yourself.
May 17, 2020
Struggling with Practice Apathy? You Might Be Neglecting “Psychological Rest”
May 10, 2020
Howard Nelson & Pamela Frank: On Recovering from Injury, the Importance of Being Non-Judgmental, and Practicing with 1000% Expression
May 03, 2020
Sarah Lewis: On Thinking Useful Thoughts, Gratitude, and the Challenge of Juggling Auditions and a 3-Month Old
Apr 26, 2020
Amanda Blaikie: On Believing in Yourself, Letting Go of Attachments, and Giving Yourself Permission to Be Kind to Yourself
Apr 22, 2020
Caroline Coade: On Being Flexible and "Practicing to Bulletproof”
Apr 19, 2020
A Mental Time Travel Technique That Could Reduce Anxiety and Enhance Performance
Apr 12, 2020
Molly Gebrian: On Efficient, Effective, and Reliable Memorization Strategies for Musicians
Apr 05, 2020
Nicole Newman: On Using Yoga to Develop Sustained Focused Attention, and Practice Getting into the Zone
Mar 29, 2020
Tim Topham: On How to Maximize Your Effectiveness When Teaching Lessons Online
Mar 22, 2020
Targeted Memory Reactivation: A Hack to Improve Learning During Sleep?
Mar 15, 2020
Lynne Aspnes: On Breathing, Singing, and the Value of Cultivating a Diverse Range of Musical Influences
Mar 08, 2020
What Does Science Say About the Notion That We Don't Utilize Our Full Potential?
Mar 01, 2020
Fact or Myth: Does Thinking “Don’t Miss” Really Make Us More Likely to Mess Up?
Feb 23, 2020
How to Get Better at Detecting Errors - Especially If They’re Hiding in Plain Sight
Feb 16, 2020
The Mindsets That Make It Easier (and Harder) to Bounce Back from Mistakes Mid-Performance
Feb 09, 2020
Jennifer Johnson: On Learning to Play More Effortlessly, Through a Better Understanding of the True Design of Your Body
Feb 02, 2020
Is Videotaping Yourself Worth the Time and Trouble? And If Yes, How So? (Part 2 of 2)
Jan 26, 2020
Is Videotaping Yourself Worth the Time and Trouble? And If Yes, How So? (Part 1 of 2)
Jan 19, 2020
Mental Practice Not Working for You? This Might Be the Reason Why…
Jan 12, 2020
Nathan Hughes: On Being Honest in the Practice Room, and Learning How to Balance Being Analytical and Being Expressive
Jan 05, 2020
Structured Vs. Free Practice: Why You Probably Shouldn’t Just Be “Winging It” in the Practice Room
Dec 22, 2019
How Do Fear, Anxiety, and Other Negative Emotions Affect the Learning Process?
Dec 15, 2019
Musical Charades: Should This Be Part of Your Regular Practice Routine?
Dec 07, 2019
Erik Ralske: On Developing a Stronger Internal Pulse, and the Paradoxical Benefits of Giving Yourself Permission to Miss Notes
Dec 01, 2019
How Long Does It REALLY Take to Form a New Habit?
Nov 24, 2019
Phonetography: Does This Enhance or Diminish Our Enjoyment of an Experience?
Nov 17, 2019
The Misinterpreted-Effort Hypothesis, and Why We Often Practice Less Effectively than We Could
Nov 10, 2019
Mike Block: On Discovering Your Musical Identity, “Exploratory” Practice, and Taking Creative Risks
Nov 03, 2019
Why Highly “Representative” Practice Is so Important (Except When It Isn’t)
Oct 27, 2019
Change This One Word to Get More Useful Feedback From Peers and Colleagues
Oct 20, 2019
Can Young Students Be Taught to Engage in Deliberate Practice Too?
Oct 13, 2019
Angela Beeching: On the Keys to Developing a Career That’s Totally “You”
Oct 06, 2019
Quirky Pre-Performance Rituals: Do They Really Work?
Sep 29, 2019
Get into a Better Pre-Audition Headspace with a "Heroic" Playlist
Sep 22, 2019
Why the “Task Completion Bias” Could Give You the Illusion of Productive Practice, but Make You Less Productive in the Long-Term
Sep 15, 2019
A Simple Technique That Could Help You Give Better Advice to Your Students
Sep 08, 2019
Claire Stefani: On Chinrests, Shoulder Rests, and How the Right Setup Can Facilitate More Effortless, Tension-free Playing
Sep 01, 2019
How to Use Positive “Trigger Words” for More Expressive Performances
Aug 25, 2019
The “Gesturing Effect": A Way to Learn New Skills More Quickly?
Aug 18, 2019
How Many of Our Worries Actually Come True?
Aug 11, 2019
Blaise Dejardin: On Emotion, Technique, and the Kind of Practice That Facilitates Consistently Beautiful Performances
Aug 04, 2019
Your “Stress Mindset,” and How This Could Make Stress Work For or Against You
Jul 28, 2019
Why Day-of-Performance Butterflies May Actually Be a Good Thing
Jul 21, 2019
"Action Observation," And How to Get More out of Your Mental Imagery Practice
Jul 14, 2019
Tom Hooten: On Being Curious, and Elevating Learning and Growth Above Ego
Jul 07, 2019
How to "Reset" Your Body Clock and Shift Your Peak Performance Window (& Thrive in AM Rehearsals)
Jun 30, 2019
Are Coffee Naps Legit?
Jun 23, 2019
The Role of Self-Compassion in Overcoming Setbacks and Cultivating Mental Toughness
Jun 16, 2019
Conflicted Between Two Different Choices? Here’s a “Random” Way to Accelerate the Decision-Making Process.
Jun 09, 2019
Uri Vardi: On the Way Unconscious Habits Shape Our Playing, and How Feldenkrais Can Help Us Unlock More of Our Potential
Jun 02, 2019
Self-Monitoring, and How “Happy Face” May Have Been a More Potent Practice Strategy than I Realized…
May 26, 2019
Three Different Types of Practice Strategies - Which One Works Best?
May 19, 2019
A Way to Amplify (or Weaken) the Effect of Self-Talk on Performance
May 12, 2019
Menahem Pressler: On Following Your Heart
May 05, 2019
A Goal-Setting Tweak That Could Be the Difference Between an OK Performance and a Great Performance?
Apr 28, 2019
How Exaggerating Technical Errors Could Improve Your Technique
Apr 21, 2019
Should Phones and Laptops Be Banned in the Classroom? Or Is This Just Much Ado about Nothing?
Apr 14, 2019
Margo Drakos: On Creating a Safety Net and Taking a Chance on Yourself
Apr 07, 2019
Why Learning the Wrong Way to Play Could Enhance Performance (and Confidence Too)
Mar 31, 2019
The Potential Upside of Having a "Rival"
Mar 24, 2019
How to Keep Your Cool Backstage Before Auditions and Performances
Mar 17, 2019
8 Strategies for Breaking Out of a Performance Slump
Mar 10, 2019
Catherine Cho: On Developing Great Rhythm (and Why Old-School Metronomes Are the Way to Go)
Mar 03, 2019
The Performance Post-Mortem: A Review Process to Bounce Back Better and Faster
Feb 24, 2019
A Visualization Hack to Get More Out of Your Mental Practice
Feb 17, 2019
A Mental Tweak to Reduce the Gap Between Your Best Playing and What Happens Under Pressure
Feb 10, 2019
David Kim: On Letting Go and Being Yourself
Feb 03, 2019
A Scientific Rationale for Keeping Photos of Friends and Family in Your Case
Jan 27, 2019
Get Into "The Zone" More Frequently with This Subtle Mental Adjustment
Jan 20, 2019
A Comparison of Two Types of Anti-Choking Strategies
Jan 13, 2019
Lori Schiff: On How Alexander Technique Can Enhance Learning and Performance Under Pressure
Jan 06, 2019
How Perfect Does Your Intonation Have to Be?
Dec 30, 2018
Does Focusing on Musical Expressiveness in Performance Come at the Expense of Technical Precision?
Dec 23, 2018
A Mental Shift That Could Help You Produce a More Beautiful Sound on Stage
Dec 16, 2018
Can’t Shut Off Your Brain and Get to Sleep? This 5-min Exercise Could Help.
Dec 09, 2018
Mark Kosower: On Learning Music, Slow Practice, and the Kind of Focus That's Associated With His Best Performances
Dec 02, 2018
A "Backwards" Strategy for Cultivating More Passion about Music You're Not in Love With
Nov 25, 2018
Should You Be Using a Metronome When You Do Mental Practice?
Nov 18, 2018
Why Worrying about Shaky Bow Just Makes Things Worse (and What You Could Focus on Instead)
Nov 11, 2018
Jason Haaheim: On Practice, Talent, Motivation, and Playing the "Long Game"
Nov 04, 2018
How to Minimize Jet Lag and Perform Your Best When Crossing Multiple Time Zones
Oct 28, 2018
Do Other People Really Learn As Quickly As It Seems Like They Do?
Oct 21, 2018
2 Ways to Shrink the “Intention-Behavior Gap,” Improve Your Follow-through, and Get Things Done
Oct 14, 2018
Jay Larranaga: On Becoming the Best Version of Yourself That You Can Be
Oct 07, 2018
Why an “Improvisational Mindset” Could Be Vital to Reducing Performance Anxiety and Increasing Audience Engagement
Sep 30, 2018
How a Post-Practice Workout Could Help Boost Learning and Retention
Sep 23, 2018
Do Classical Musicians Get More Nervous Than Non-Classical Musicians? (And If so, Why?)
Sep 16, 2018
8 Strategies Musicians Use to Create Their Own Unique Interpretation of a Piece
Sep 09, 2018
Nathan Cole and Akiko Tarumoto: On Practice, Lifelong Learning, and Balancing Life With Work and Audition Preparation
Sep 02, 2018
Have Difficulty Staying Awake During Mental Practice? Try "Dynamic" Mental Imagery Instead! Have Difficulty Staying Awake During Mental Practice? Try "Dynamic" Mental Imagery Instead!
Aug 26, 2018
The Correct Way to Sit in a Chair (and How This Could Help Your Performance in More Ways Than You’d Think)
Aug 19, 2018
An Easy-to-Overlook “Hack” for Enhancing Concentration in the Practice Room
Aug 12, 2018
Carol Rodland: On Learning to Work with Your Body, Not Against It
Aug 05, 2018
The “Urgency Effect” and How to Prioritize More Effectively in the Practice Room
Jul 29, 2018
Does It Help (or Hurt) to Have Friends and Family in the Audience?
Jul 22, 2018
Perform Better Under Pressure with This Subtle Adjustment to Your Self-Talk
Jul 15, 2018
Julie Landsman: On Getting into the Zone and Developing Trust in Your Playing
Jul 08, 2018
Research Suggests That While Mental Practice Is Good, This Hybrid Approach Is Even Better
Jul 01, 2018
What's the Most (and Least) Helpful Thing to Text a Friend Before Their Audition?
Jun 24, 2018
Janet Horvath: On Preventing Overuse Injuries and Playing Pain-Free
Jun 17, 2018
A Better Way to Teach Complex Skills, Borrowed From…Doggy Training?
Jun 10, 2018
Listening to Music While Studying: Ok or Not Ok?
Jun 03, 2018
Memorize More Music by Remembering to Press "Pause"?
May 27, 2018
Rob Knopper: On Overcoming the Fear of Recording Yourself (and Making It Your New Favorite Practice Tool)
May 20, 2018
“Mistake Rituals” and Why it's Important to Prepare for On-Stage Surprises
May 13, 2018
Does Stress Make Us More Susceptible to Injury?
May 06, 2018
Creativity Sounds Important…but at the Elite Level, How Valuable Is It Really?
Apr 29, 2018
Peter Miksza: On the Overlooked Value of Improvisation in Musical Training
Apr 22, 2018
Jeff Huber: On Preparing Mentally for Competition
Apr 15, 2018
A Childhood Pastime That Could Help You Reduce Stress and Manage Audition-Day Nerves
Apr 01, 2018
Can We Really Trust Our Intuition When Making Difficult Decisions?
Mar 25, 2018
Two Different Kinds of Nerves? How One Type Helps and the Other Type…Not so Much
Mar 18, 2018
Could This Working Memory Exercise Help Offset the Effect of Nerves on Performance?
Mar 11, 2018
Stereotype Threat: The Paradox of Becoming Exactly What You’re Trying to Prove That You’re Not. (Huh?!)
Mar 04, 2018
Need a Little Shot of Optimism? Try the "Best Possible Self" Exercise
Feb 25, 2018
Can We Train Ourselves to Be Less Anxious?
Feb 18, 2018
Just Thinking You Don't Have Enough Time (Even If That's Not True) Negatively Affects Performance
Feb 11, 2018
Power Posing vs. Yoga. Yay or Nay?
Feb 04, 2018
How to Keep Your Cool in Stressful Lessons, Rehearsals, and More
Jan 28, 2018
Why Do We Have Such a Hard Time Accepting Compliments?
Jan 21, 2018
The Problem with Taking Excessively Long Practice Breaks
Jan 14, 2018
Why It’s Probably Not a Good Sign If Practicing Starts to Feel Easy
Jan 07, 2018