The Bulletproof Musician
By Noa Kageyama
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Episodes: 417
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 |
|---|---|
|
2026.8 | Lorna McGhee
|
Aug 02, 2026 |
|
Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse: The Science of Sleep for Musicians
|
May 10, 2026 |
|
Paul Baxter: Why Bad Habits Keep Coming Back (And a Faster Way to Change Them)
|
Apr 07, 2026 |
|
Micah Killion: The One Thing Artist-Level Musicians Do Differently in the Practice Room
|
Mar 08, 2026 |
|
How to Start a Performance with More Accuracy (Without the Onstage Warm-Up)
|
Jan 18, 2026 |
|
When You Can’t Get Yourself to Start Practicing, Try This
|
Jan 11, 2026 |
|
The Central Strategy Expert Musicians Use to Practice Difficult Passages
|
Dec 28, 2025 |
|
How a Small Change in Self-Talk Could Improve Performance Under Pressure
|
Dec 21, 2025 |
|
A Learning Method That Outperformed Traditional Practice
|
Dec 14, 2025 |
|
How Much Perfectionism Do You Really Need to Succeed?
|
Dec 07, 2025 |
|
Pallavi Mahidhara: On Practicing for Flexibility, Not Perfection
|
Nov 30, 2025 |
|
What Happened When Musicians Slept 90 Minutes More
|
Nov 23, 2025 |
|
Why Being Too Quick to Offer Feedback Could Inhibit Learning
|
Nov 16, 2025 |
|
Fewer Repetitions….But More Rapid Progress?
|
Nov 09, 2025 |
|
Ida Kavafian: Habits That Separate Good Musicians from Great Ones
|
Nov 02, 2025 |
|
Can Memorizing Music Make You a More Expressive Performer?
|
Oct 26, 2025 |
|
Two Approaches to Memorization (Beware: One Could Leave You Stranded!)
|
Oct 19, 2025 |
|
A Hidden Reason You Forget Music on Stage
|
Oct 12, 2025 |
|
Jane Ginsborg: On Building Stronger and More Reliable Musical Memory
|
Oct 05, 2025 |
|
How to Use Focus Cues to Play More Freely on Stage
|
Sep 28, 2025 |
|
Is There Hope for the Most Anxious Performers?
|
Sep 21, 2025 |
|
How to Get Your Mind in the Right Place Before Going On Stage
|
Sep 14, 2025 |
|
Graham Fitch: On Playful Practice and Muscle Memory You Can Trust
|
Sep 07, 2025 |
|
Does Aiming for Perfection Actually Hurt Performance?
|
Aug 31, 2025 |
|
Could Performance Anxiety Be Causing Students to Quit?
|
Aug 24, 2025 |
|
Worried About a Performance? 4 Reasons Why (And How to Stop)
|
Aug 17, 2025 |
|
Double Your Practice Gains With a Nap?
|
Aug 10, 2025 |
|
Ignasi Cambra: On Learning, Memorizing, and Interpreting Music
|
Aug 03, 2025 |
|
Notes First or Music First? Which Leads to Better Performance?
|
Jul 27, 2025 |
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A Way to Get More Useful Performance Feedback?
|
Jul 20, 2025 |
|
How to Unlock Your Students’ Hidden Practice Abilities
|
Jul 13, 2025 |
|
Judy Loman: On the Best Advice For an Aspiring Harpist (or Musician)
|
Jul 06, 2025 |
|
A Comparison of Three Approaches to Teaching Expressiveness
|
Jun 29, 2025 |
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The Overlooked Skill That Could Make Performing More Enjoyable
|
Jun 22, 2025 |
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How Do Effective Practicers Make the Most of Their Practice Time?
|
Jun 15, 2025 |
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Do We Unconsciously Favor Talent Over Effort?
|
Jun 08, 2025 |
|
Cellist Yumi Kendall: On Becoming a More Positive (And Effective) Practicer
|
Jun 01, 2025 |
|
How to Keep Your Inner Critic From Getting the Better of You
|
May 25, 2025 |
|
Pre-Performance Apathy (and the Importance of Mentally Disengaging From Practice)
|
May 18, 2025 |
|
Your Brain Isn’t Built for Consistency - Here’s How to Make That Work for You
|
May 11, 2025 |
|
Mitch Abrams: On Trauma and High-Level Performance
|
May 04, 2025 |
|
Reward vs. Punishment: Which Leads to Faster Learning?
|
Apr 27, 2025 |
|
One Way Parents Can Help Their Kids Be Less Anxious
|
Apr 20, 2025 |
|
A Self-Talk Tweak to Boost the Odds of Achieving Your Goals
|
Apr 13, 2025 |
|
Linda Chesis: On Cultivating a More Beautiful Sound and Becoming a Better Practicer
|
Apr 06, 2025 |
|
Finding Your Optimal Anxiety Level: Why Calm Isn’t Always Better
|
Apr 04, 2025 |
|
The 70% Rule: Why Practicing Shouldn’t Be Too Easy
|
Mar 23, 2025 |
|
Sight Reading: The Ideal Error Rate for Optimal Learning
|
Mar 16, 2025 |
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Why Practicing While Distracted Is Actually Very Important
|
Mar 09, 2025 |
|
How to Help Students Remember More From Each Lesson
|
Mar 02, 2025 |
|
How to Increase the Likelihood of Being Accepted by Others
|
Feb 23, 2025 |
|
Stumped by a Problem in the Practice Room? Try an “Incubation” Break
|
Feb 16, 2025 |
|
Perfect Shmerfect. Could More “Mistakes” Accelerate Learning?
|
Feb 09, 2025 |
|
Carolyn Christie: On Overcoming Nerves With Healthier Internal Dialogue - and Phrasing!
|
Feb 02, 2025 |
|
Can We Train Ourselves to Worry Less About Others’ Opinions?
|
Jan 26, 2025 |
|
What Causes "Choking" Under Pressure? And What Can We Do About It?
|
Jan 19, 2025 |
|
The Truth About Cramming: Why Your Brain Needs Breaks
|
Jan 12, 2025 |
|
Orli Shaham: On Overcoming Setbacks and Learning to Trust the Process
|
Jan 05, 2025 |
|
A Backward Strategy for Enhanced Goal-Setting Success
|
Dec 29, 2024 |
|
4 Approaches to Goal Setting (And Which Works Best)
|
Dec 22, 2024 |
|
Do Extroverts Make Better Performers Than Introverts?
|
Dec 15, 2024 |
|
Laurie Scott & Cornelia Watkins: On Going From the Stage to the Studio
|
Dec 08, 2024 |
|
Does How We Look On Stage Matter More Than How We Sound...?
|
Dec 01, 2024 |
|
Does Counting Our Blessings Really Change Anything?
|
Nov 24, 2024 |
|
An Easier Way to Get Better at Mental Imagery?
|
Nov 17, 2024 |
|
A Better Way to Do Mental Practice?
|
Nov 10, 2024 |
|
Not an Optimist? How to Make Pessimism Work for You.
|
Nov 03, 2024 |
|
Can Breathing Really Help Reduce Anxiety? Or Is It Just a Cliché?
|
Oct 27, 2024 |
|
Go From Procrastination to Productivity With “Temptation Bundling”
|
Oct 20, 2024 |
|
A Better Way to Bounce Back From Disappointing Setbacks
|
Oct 13, 2024 |
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Why Giving Students Choices Could Dramatically Enhance Learning
|
Oct 06, 2024 |
|
What Are Audition Committees Really Listening For?
|
Sep 29, 2024 |
|
The Best Time to Exercise for Maximizing Practice Gains
|
Sep 22, 2024 |
|
How Important Is It Really to Practice Every Day?
|
Sep 15, 2024 |
|
Improve Coordination With Opposite-Side Practice
|
Sep 08, 2024 |
|
Nathan Cole: Lessons From 20 Years of Concertmaster Auditions
|
Sep 01, 2024 |
|
An Ironic Strategy to Stay Calmer and Avoid Rushing on Performance Days
|
Aug 25, 2024 |
|
How Teachers' Expectations Can Shape Students' Learning & Performance
|
Aug 18, 2024 |
|
How Much Do Positive or Negative Expectations Affect Performance?
|
Aug 11, 2024 |
|
How to Keep Music Feeling Fresh Through Repeated Performances
|
Aug 04, 2024 |
|
Is It Really so Bad to Frown After Making a Mistake?
|
Jul 28, 2024 |
|
What’s the Optimal Practice-To-Rest Ratio?
|
Jul 21, 2024 |
|
Is There a Way to Make Self-Imposed Deadlines Work?
|
Jul 14, 2024 |
|
Does Listening to Music Benefit the Music Learning Process?
|
Jul 07, 2024 |
|
A Better Way to Learn, Teach, and Perform New Skills?
|
Jun 30, 2024 |
|
Is It Better to Perform With Eyes Open or Closed?
|
Jun 23, 2024 |
|
A Teaching Method That Creates Smarter Practicers
|
Jun 16, 2024 |
|
The Subtle Habit That Might Be Undermining Your Confidence
|
Jun 09, 2024 |
|
Learn More Effectively with This Lesser-Known Mindset Shift
|
Jun 02, 2024 |
|
Are You the “Good” or “Bad” Kind of Procrastinator?
|
May 26, 2024 |
|
Why Practicing for Consistency May Be Less Effective Than You’d Think
|
May 18, 2024 |
|
Are Great Sight-Readers Born or Made?
|
May 12, 2024 |
|
Michael Bridge: On Cultivating Expressive (vs Impressive) Virtuosity
|
May 05, 2024 |
|
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 |
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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 |
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Aaron Williamon: On Becoming a Better, Happier, and Healthier Musician
|
Apr 02, 2023 |
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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 |
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Hans Jørgen Jensen: On Practicing With the Mind, Not Just the Fingers
|
Mar 05, 2023 |
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How to Give Students Critical Feedback Without Crushing Their Confidence
|
Feb 26, 2023 |
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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 |
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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 |
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The Problem With Intense Laser-Like Focus in the Practice Room
|
Dec 18, 2022 |
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Why a Little Self-Doubt Before Performing Could Be a Good Thing
|
Dec 11, 2022 |
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Jennifer Montone: On the Unspoken Mental and Emotional Aspects of Being a Musician
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Dec 04, 2022 |
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Why Telling Yourself to “Calm Down” Backstage May Be Counterproductive
|
Nov 27, 2022 |
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Why Trying to "Think Positive" All the Time Could Make You Feel Worse
|
Nov 13, 2022 |
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Kim Laskowski: On Developing a Beautiful Expressive Sound and Teaching Yourself How to Learn
|
Nov 06, 2022 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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How Mental Imagery Can Help You Become a Better (Or More "Psychic") Chamber Music Partner
|
Apr 17, 2022 |
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How Does One Learn to Play More Musically?
|
Apr 10, 2022 |
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Do We Really Sound as Terrible on Stage as We Sometimes Think We Do?
|
Apr 03, 2022 |
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"Quiet Eye": A Technique to Enhance Performance When You're Nervous
|
Mar 27, 2022 |
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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 |
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How to Get Your Brain to Do More Learning BETWEEN Practice Sessions
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Feb 27, 2022 |
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How to Get Yourself to Practice When You Don't Feel Like It
|
Feb 20, 2022 |
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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 |
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A Practice Strategy That Could Potentially Be Twice as Effective as Regular Practice?
|
Jan 09, 2022 |
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How to Be a Little More Awesome in 2022? Try These Top Tips and Insights From 2021.
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Jan 02, 2022 |
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Why Practicing Practicing from an Early Age is So Important
|
Dec 26, 2021 |
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Two Approaches to Memorization - One of Which Can Leave You Lost and Stranded if You Rely on It Too Much!
|
Dec 19, 2021 |
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Not Sure How to Do Mental Practice? Here's a 7-Point "How-To" Guide
|
Dec 12, 2021 |
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Kristian Steenstrup: On Singing, Solfège, and Cultivating a More Efficient Approach to Learning New Music.
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Dec 05, 2021 |
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Struggling to Get a Tricky Passage up to Tempo? Why Slow, Accurate Practice May Actually Be the Problem.
|
Nov 28, 2021 |
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Evidence That Too Much Consistency in Practice Could Potentially Hinder the Learning Process (What?!)
|
Nov 21, 2021 |
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Why Too-Short Practice Breaks Could Undermine Your Learning
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Nov 14, 2021 |
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Vivian Hornik Weilerstein: On Listening, Leading, and Learning How to Be More in Sync With Your Music-Making Partners.
|
Nov 07, 2021 |
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How Do Experts Get Even Better? 5 Lessons From the Practice of Expert vs. Intermediate Athletes.
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Oct 31, 2021 |
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What to Do When Everyone Thinks You're Great - But You Feel Like a Failure
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Oct 24, 2021 |
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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 |
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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!)
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Sep 26, 2021 |
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Having Difficulty Turning Off the Worries? Here Are the Strategies That Research Suggests May Work Best.
|
Sep 19, 2021 |
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Feeling a Bit Down and Unmotivated? This Motivation Hack Might Help You Get More Done and Perk Up a Bit.
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Sep 12, 2021 |
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Daniel Matsukawa: On Cultivating a Great Sound, and Three Components of Becoming a Better Practicer
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Sep 05, 2021 |
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Difficulty Getting to Sleep? Try “Serial Diverse Imaging” - a Crafty Way to Trick Your Brain Into Going to Sleep.
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Aug 29, 2021 |
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Wish You Could Be Less Stressed on Concert Days? Try This Unexpected Activity, Used by an Olympic Gold Medalist (and Grandmothers Everywhere 🙂)
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Aug 22, 2021 |
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Adequate Learning Vs Overlearning: How Many Repetitions Is Enough?
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Aug 15, 2021 |
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Two Things Experts Do Differently Than Non-Experts When Practicing
|
Aug 08, 2021 |
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Ann Bergeron: On Facilitating a More Positive Learning Experience, More Effective Skill Acquisition, and More Creative Artists
|
Aug 01, 2021 |
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A Simple Practice Scheduling Hack That Couldn’t Possibly Be as Effective as It Seems
|
Jul 25, 2021 |
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Why Thought Stopping Doesn’t Work (And the Paradoxical Strategy That Might Work Better)
|
Jul 18, 2021 |
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Evidence That You Should Probably Be Taking Practice "Micro-Breaks," if You Want to Maximize Learning.
|
Jul 11, 2021 |
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Natasha Brofsky and Roger Tapping: On Learning New Repertoire and Getting to Know a Composer’s Unique Language
|
Jul 04, 2021 |
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Can’t Stop Worrying About an Upcoming Performance? Here’s Why Practicing More Might Not Be the Answer.
|
Jun 27, 2021 |
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What’s the Best Type of Feedback to Provide, if the Goal Is to Increase Students’ Intrinsic Motivation?
|
Jun 20, 2021 |
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Forget White Noise. There May Be a Better Type of Noise That Could Potentially Enhance Memory While You Sleep.
|
Jun 13, 2021 |
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Lori Schiff: On Adapting to Remote Instruction, and Learning to Teach Alexander Technique Online
|
Jun 06, 2021 |
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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 |
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The Kantor Family: On Being Effective Music Parents to Musical Children
|
May 02, 2021 |
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Finals Coming Up Soon? Here’s Why You Shouldn't Just Read and Review Your Notes.
|
Apr 25, 2021 |
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Is “Perfect” Practice as Essential a Thing As We Tend to Assume It Is?
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Apr 18, 2021 |
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Having Difficulty Moving Past a Particularly Distressing Audition or Performance? “Just Think Positive” May Not Be the Best Strategy...
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Apr 11, 2021 |
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Does the “Memory Palace” Strategy Really Work? And Is It Something Musicians Could Use?
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Apr 04, 2021 |
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Evidence That Most of Us Are Terrible at Knowing When to End Conversations
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Mar 28, 2021 |
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“Zoom Fatigue” - Why It Happens, and a Couple Things You Can Do About It
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Mar 21, 2021 |
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A Simple Writing Exercise That Could Help You Perform More Confidently
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Mar 14, 2021 |
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Astrid Schween: On Cultivating Routines, Curiosity, and 800 Different Spiccatos
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Mar 07, 2021 |
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How NOT to Support a Student Who Is Struggling (and What TO Do as Well)
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Feb 28, 2021 |
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Want Your Students to Be More Engaged, Take More Risks, and Get Better Grades in Class? Here’s Why Your Mindset Matters.
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Feb 21, 2021 |
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Specific Times When Smart Goals Can Be Counterproductive (and What Strategy to Use Instead)
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Feb 14, 2021 |
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Kris Chesky: On Hearing Health, Earplugs, and How the Best Strategy for Protecting Young Musicians’ Ears Might Help Them Become Better Musicians Too
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Feb 07, 2021 |
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Does a Musician’s Physical Movements and Gestures Affect How Musical We Think They Are?
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Jan 31, 2021 |
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How to Cultivate Better Rhythm and Avoid Clipping Notes (and Rests) Short
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Jan 24, 2021 |
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For Better Rhythm and Timing, Count With Your Body Too, Not Just Your Mind
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Jan 17, 2021 |
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Stressed and Having Difficulty Getting Out of a Negative Thought Spiral? Here's How (and Why) Mother Nature May Be Able to Help
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Jan 10, 2021 |
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Make Practicing in 2021 a Little More Effective With These Top Tips From 2020
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Jan 03, 2021 |
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A Better Way to Present Ourselves on Social Media? A Simple Adjustment for Improved Mood and Greater Well-Being.
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Dec 27, 2020 |
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Regular Bragging vs. Humblebragging: Which Works Better?
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Dec 20, 2020 |
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Need a Break? Here’s a Simple Way to Boost Your Mood and Feel More Refreshed After a Long Week of Practice.
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Dec 13, 2020 |
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David Leisner: On Overcoming Focal Dystonia and Learning to Play With Ease
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Dec 06, 2020 |
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Toby Appel: On Learning to Trust Yourself
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Nov 22, 2020 |
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How Effective Is Mental Practice for Memorizing New Pieces?
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Nov 15, 2020 |
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Stressed, Anxious, and Feeling a Little Burned Out? Here’s How an “Awe Walk” Could Help.
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Nov 08, 2020 |
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Bob Fisher: On What It Takes to Become Great at Something and Set Multiple World Records (at Age 50+)
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Nov 01, 2020 |
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Having Long-Term Goals Is Important, but Research Suggests That We Should Enjoy the Little Things Too
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Oct 25, 2020 |
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Have a Tendency to Play “Too Safe” Under Pressure? Here’s a Daily Habit That Could Help You Play More Fearlessly on Stage.
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Oct 18, 2020 |
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A Counterintuitive Way to Build Confidence, a Tiny Bit Each Day
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Oct 11, 2020 |
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Jason Sulliman: On Why Fast, At-Tempo Practice Can Be More Efficient and Effective Than Slow Practice
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Oct 04, 2020 |
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How Using Social Media Apps Before Practicing Could Sabotage Practice Quality (and Performance) Over Time
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Sep 27, 2020 |
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What Does the Research Say About Having a Couple Drinks Before Performing?
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Sep 20, 2020 |
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8 Things Top Practicers Do Differently
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Sep 13, 2020 |
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Minna Chung: On the Mysteries of Intonation and a Few Things We Can Do to Play Better in Tune
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Sep 06, 2020 |
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How Many of Our Mistakes Do Audiences (and Other Musicians) Actually Notice?
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Aug 30, 2020 |
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Handling Conflicts in Ensembles: A Few Things We May Be Able to Learn From the Research on Marital Satisfaction...?
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Aug 23, 2020 |
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Is This Really a Significant Factor in How We Choose Our Teachers and Mentors?
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Aug 16, 2020 |
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Why It May Be Useful to Laugh a Bit More in the Months Ahead
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Aug 09, 2020 |
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Stephen Hough: On the Question “Is Memorizing Music Really All That Important?”
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Aug 02, 2020 |
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How to Keep the Critic in Your Head From Wrecking Your Practice Session
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Jul 26, 2020 |
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Why the Progress You Make in the Practice Room Seems to Disappear Overnight - PART 2
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Jul 19, 2020 |
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An Email Hack That Could Increase the Likelihood of Getting a Reply (and Possibly Make the World a Slightly Better Place for Everyone Too)
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Jul 12, 2020 |
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Jason Haaheim: On “Deliberate Lessons” and How to Become a Better Teacher to Yourself
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Jul 05, 2020 |
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3 Questions to Ask Yourself That Could Boost the Effectiveness of Your Next Practice Session
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Jun 28, 2020 |
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Having Difficulty Motivating Yourself to Practice? Research Suggests That Copycatting a Friend Could Help.
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Jun 21, 2020 |
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Evidence That You're Probably Not Great at Performing and Critiquing Your Performance at the Same Time
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Jun 14, 2020 |
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Christian Howes: On Overcoming Improvisation Anxiety, Making Technical Practice More Creatively Satisfying, and Becoming a Better Friend to Yourself
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Jun 07, 2020 |
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How the Things You Think about Backstage Could Carry over into Your Performance
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May 31, 2020 |
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How to Talk to Yourself When You’re Having a Bad Practice Day (or Week)
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May 24, 2020 |
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Having Difficulty Believing in Yourself? Here’s a Confidence-Building Technique That Doesn’t Feel Like You're Lying to Yourself.
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May 17, 2020 |
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Struggling with Practice Apathy? You Might Be Neglecting “Psychological Rest”
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May 10, 2020 |
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Howard Nelson & Pamela Frank: On Recovering from Injury, the Importance of Being Non-Judgmental, and Practicing with 1000% Expression
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May 03, 2020 |
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Sarah Lewis: On Thinking Useful Thoughts, Gratitude, and the Challenge of Juggling Auditions and a 3-Month Old
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Apr 26, 2020 |
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Amanda Blaikie: On Believing in Yourself, Letting Go of Attachments, and Giving Yourself Permission to Be Kind to Yourself
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Apr 22, 2020 |
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Caroline Coade: On Being Flexible and "Practicing to Bulletproof”
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Apr 19, 2020 |
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A Mental Time Travel Technique That Could Reduce Anxiety and Enhance Performance
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Apr 12, 2020 |
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Molly Gebrian: On Efficient, Effective, and Reliable Memorization Strategies for Musicians
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Apr 05, 2020 |
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Nicole Newman: On Using Yoga to Develop Sustained Focused Attention, and Practice Getting into the Zone
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Mar 29, 2020 |
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Tim Topham: On How to Maximize Your Effectiveness When Teaching Lessons Online
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Mar 22, 2020 |
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Targeted Memory Reactivation: A Hack to Improve Learning During Sleep?
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Mar 15, 2020 |
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Lynne Aspnes: On Breathing, Singing, and the Value of Cultivating a Diverse Range of Musical Influences
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Mar 08, 2020 |
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What Does Science Say About the Notion That We Don't Utilize Our Full Potential?
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Mar 01, 2020 |
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Fact or Myth: Does Thinking “Don’t Miss” Really Make Us More Likely to Mess Up?
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Feb 23, 2020 |
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How to Get Better at Detecting Errors - Especially If They’re Hiding in Plain Sight
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Feb 16, 2020 |
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The Mindsets That Make It Easier (and Harder) to Bounce Back from Mistakes Mid-Performance
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Feb 09, 2020 |
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Jennifer Johnson: On Learning to Play More Effortlessly, Through a Better Understanding of the True Design of Your Body
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Feb 02, 2020 |
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Is Videotaping Yourself Worth the Time and Trouble? And If Yes, How So? (Part 2 of 2)
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Jan 26, 2020 |
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Is Videotaping Yourself Worth the Time and Trouble? And If Yes, How So? (Part 1 of 2)
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Jan 19, 2020 |
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Mental Practice Not Working for You? This Might Be the Reason Why…
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Jan 12, 2020 |
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Nathan Hughes: On Being Honest in the Practice Room, and Learning How to Balance Being Analytical and Being Expressive
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Jan 05, 2020 |
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Structured Vs. Free Practice: Why You Probably Shouldn’t Just Be “Winging It” in the Practice Room
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Dec 22, 2019 |
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How Do Fear, Anxiety, and Other Negative Emotions Affect the Learning Process?
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Dec 15, 2019 |
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Musical Charades: Should This Be Part of Your Regular Practice Routine?
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Dec 07, 2019 |
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Erik Ralske: On Developing a Stronger Internal Pulse, and the Paradoxical Benefits of Giving Yourself Permission to Miss Notes
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Dec 01, 2019 |
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How Long Does It REALLY Take to Form a New Habit?
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Nov 24, 2019 |
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Phonetography: Does This Enhance or Diminish Our Enjoyment of an Experience?
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Nov 17, 2019 |
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The Misinterpreted-Effort Hypothesis, and Why We Often Practice Less Effectively than We Could
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Nov 10, 2019 |
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Mike Block: On Discovering Your Musical Identity, “Exploratory” Practice, and Taking Creative Risks
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Nov 03, 2019 |
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Why Highly “Representative” Practice Is so Important (Except When It Isn’t)
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Oct 27, 2019 |
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Change This One Word to Get More Useful Feedback From Peers and Colleagues
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Oct 20, 2019 |
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Can Young Students Be Taught to Engage in Deliberate Practice Too?
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Oct 13, 2019 |
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Angela Beeching: On the Keys to Developing a Career That’s Totally “You”
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Oct 06, 2019 |
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Quirky Pre-Performance Rituals: Do They Really Work?
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Sep 29, 2019 |
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Get into a Better Pre-Audition Headspace with a "Heroic" Playlist
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Sep 22, 2019 |
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Why the “Task Completion Bias” Could Give You the Illusion of Productive Practice, but Make You Less Productive in the Long-Term
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Sep 15, 2019 |
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A Simple Technique That Could Help You Give Better Advice to Your Students
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Sep 08, 2019 |
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Claire Stefani: On Chinrests, Shoulder Rests, and How the Right Setup Can Facilitate More Effortless, Tension-free Playing
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Sep 01, 2019 |
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How to Use Positive “Trigger Words” for More Expressive Performances
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Aug 25, 2019 |
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The “Gesturing Effect": A Way to Learn New Skills More Quickly?
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Aug 18, 2019 |
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How Many of Our Worries Actually Come True?
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Aug 11, 2019 |
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Blaise Dejardin: On Emotion, Technique, and the Kind of Practice That Facilitates Consistently Beautiful Performances
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Aug 04, 2019 |
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Your “Stress Mindset,” and How This Could Make Stress Work For or Against You
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Jul 28, 2019 |
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Why Day-of-Performance Butterflies May Actually Be a Good Thing
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Jul 21, 2019 |
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"Action Observation," And How to Get More out of Your Mental Imagery Practice
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Jul 14, 2019 |
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Tom Hooten: On Being Curious, and Elevating Learning and Growth Above Ego
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Jul 07, 2019 |
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How to "Reset" Your Body Clock and Shift Your Peak Performance Window (& Thrive in AM Rehearsals)
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Jun 30, 2019 |
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Are Coffee Naps Legit?
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Jun 23, 2019 |
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The Role of Self-Compassion in Overcoming Setbacks and Cultivating Mental Toughness
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Jun 16, 2019 |
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Conflicted Between Two Different Choices? Here’s a “Random” Way to Accelerate the Decision-Making Process.
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Jun 09, 2019 |
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Uri Vardi: On the Way Unconscious Habits Shape Our Playing, and How Feldenkrais Can Help Us Unlock More of Our Potential
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Jun 02, 2019 |
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Self-Monitoring, and How “Happy Face” May Have Been a More Potent Practice Strategy than I Realized…
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May 26, 2019 |
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Three Different Types of Practice Strategies - Which One Works Best?
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May 19, 2019 |
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A Way to Amplify (or Weaken) the Effect of Self-Talk on Performance
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May 12, 2019 |
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Menahem Pressler: On Following Your Heart
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May 05, 2019 |
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A Goal-Setting Tweak That Could Be the Difference Between an OK Performance and a Great Performance?
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Apr 28, 2019 |
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How Exaggerating Technical Errors Could Improve Your Technique
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Apr 21, 2019 |
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Should Phones and Laptops Be Banned in the Classroom? Or Is This Just Much Ado about Nothing?
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Apr 14, 2019 |
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Margo Drakos: On Creating a Safety Net and Taking a Chance on Yourself
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Apr 07, 2019 |
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Why Learning the Wrong Way to Play Could Enhance Performance (and Confidence Too)
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Mar 31, 2019 |
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The Potential Upside of Having a "Rival"
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Mar 24, 2019 |
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How to Keep Your Cool Backstage Before Auditions and Performances
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Mar 17, 2019 |
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8 Strategies for Breaking Out of a Performance Slump
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Mar 10, 2019 |
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Catherine Cho: On Developing Great Rhythm (and Why Old-School Metronomes Are the Way to Go)
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Mar 03, 2019 |
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The Performance Post-Mortem: A Review Process to Bounce Back Better and Faster
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Feb 24, 2019 |
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A Visualization Hack to Get More Out of Your Mental Practice
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Feb 17, 2019 |
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A Mental Tweak to Reduce the Gap Between Your Best Playing and What Happens Under Pressure
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Feb 10, 2019 |
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David Kim: On Letting Go and Being Yourself
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Feb 03, 2019 |
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A Scientific Rationale for Keeping Photos of Friends and Family in Your Case
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Jan 27, 2019 |
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Get Into "The Zone" More Frequently with This Subtle Mental Adjustment
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Jan 20, 2019 |
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A Comparison of Two Types of Anti-Choking Strategies
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Jan 13, 2019 |
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Lori Schiff: On How Alexander Technique Can Enhance Learning and Performance Under Pressure
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Jan 06, 2019 |
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How Perfect Does Your Intonation Have to Be?
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Dec 30, 2018 |
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Does Focusing on Musical Expressiveness in Performance Come at the Expense of Technical Precision?
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Dec 23, 2018 |
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A Mental Shift That Could Help You Produce a More Beautiful Sound on Stage
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Dec 16, 2018 |
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Can’t Shut Off Your Brain and Get to Sleep? This 5-min Exercise Could Help.
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Dec 09, 2018 |
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Mark Kosower: On Learning Music, Slow Practice, and the Kind of Focus That's Associated With His Best Performances
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Dec 02, 2018 |
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A "Backwards" Strategy for Cultivating More Passion about Music You're Not in Love With
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Nov 25, 2018 |
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Should You Be Using a Metronome When You Do Mental Practice?
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Nov 18, 2018 |
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Why Worrying about Shaky Bow Just Makes Things Worse (and What You Could Focus on Instead)
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Nov 11, 2018 |
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Jason Haaheim: On Practice, Talent, Motivation, and Playing the "Long Game"
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Nov 04, 2018 |
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How to Minimize Jet Lag and Perform Your Best When Crossing Multiple Time Zones
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Oct 28, 2018 |
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Do Other People Really Learn As Quickly As It Seems Like They Do?
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Oct 21, 2018 |
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2 Ways to Shrink the “Intention-Behavior Gap,” Improve Your Follow-through, and Get Things Done
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Oct 14, 2018 |
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Jay Larranaga: On Becoming the Best Version of Yourself That You Can Be
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Oct 07, 2018 |
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Why an “Improvisational Mindset” Could Be Vital to Reducing Performance Anxiety and Increasing Audience Engagement
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Sep 30, 2018 |
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How a Post-Practice Workout Could Help Boost Learning and Retention
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Sep 23, 2018 |
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Do Classical Musicians Get More Nervous Than Non-Classical Musicians? (And If so, Why?)
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Sep 16, 2018 |
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8 Strategies Musicians Use to Create Their Own Unique Interpretation of a Piece
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Sep 09, 2018 |
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Nathan Cole and Akiko Tarumoto: On Practice, Lifelong Learning, and Balancing Life With Work and Audition Preparation
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Sep 02, 2018 |
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Have Difficulty Staying Awake During Mental Practice? Try "Dynamic" Mental Imagery Instead! Have Difficulty Staying Awake During Mental Practice? Try "Dynamic" Mental Imagery Instead!
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Aug 26, 2018 |
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The Correct Way to Sit in a Chair (and How This Could Help Your Performance in More Ways Than You’d Think)
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Aug 19, 2018 |
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An Easy-to-Overlook “Hack” for Enhancing Concentration in the Practice Room
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Aug 12, 2018 |
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Carol Rodland: On Learning to Work with Your Body, Not Against It
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Aug 05, 2018 |
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The “Urgency Effect” and How to Prioritize More Effectively in the Practice Room
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Jul 29, 2018 |
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Does It Help (or Hurt) to Have Friends and Family in the Audience?
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Jul 22, 2018 |
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Perform Better Under Pressure with This Subtle Adjustment to Your Self-Talk
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Jul 15, 2018 |
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Julie Landsman: On Getting into the Zone and Developing Trust in Your Playing
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Jul 08, 2018 |
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Research Suggests That While Mental Practice Is Good, This Hybrid Approach Is Even Better
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Jul 01, 2018 |
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What's the Most (and Least) Helpful Thing to Text a Friend Before Their Audition?
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Jun 24, 2018 |
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Janet Horvath: On Preventing Overuse Injuries and Playing Pain-Free
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Jun 17, 2018 |
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A Better Way to Teach Complex Skills, Borrowed From…Doggy Training?
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Jun 10, 2018 |
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Listening to Music While Studying: Ok or Not Ok?
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Jun 03, 2018 |
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Memorize More Music by Remembering to Press "Pause"?
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May 27, 2018 |
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Rob Knopper: On Overcoming the Fear of Recording Yourself (and Making It Your New Favorite Practice Tool)
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May 20, 2018 |
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“Mistake Rituals” and Why it's Important to Prepare for On-Stage Surprises
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May 13, 2018 |
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Does Stress Make Us More Susceptible to Injury?
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May 06, 2018 |
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Creativity Sounds Important…but at the Elite Level, How Valuable Is It Really?
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Apr 29, 2018 |
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Peter Miksza: On the Overlooked Value of Improvisation in Musical Training
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Apr 22, 2018 |
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Jeff Huber: On Preparing Mentally for Competition
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Apr 15, 2018 |
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A Childhood Pastime That Could Help You Reduce Stress and Manage Audition-Day Nerves
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Apr 01, 2018 |
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Can We Really Trust Our Intuition When Making Difficult Decisions?
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Mar 25, 2018 |
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Two Different Kinds of Nerves? How One Type Helps and the Other Type…Not so Much
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Mar 18, 2018 |
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Could This Working Memory Exercise Help Offset the Effect of Nerves on Performance?
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Mar 11, 2018 |
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Stereotype Threat: The Paradox of Becoming Exactly What You’re Trying to Prove That You’re Not. (Huh?!)
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Mar 04, 2018 |
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Need a Little Shot of Optimism? Try the "Best Possible Self" Exercise
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Feb 25, 2018 |
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Can We Train Ourselves to Be Less Anxious?
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Feb 18, 2018 |
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Just Thinking You Don't Have Enough Time (Even If That's Not True) Negatively Affects Performance
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Feb 11, 2018 |
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Power Posing vs. Yoga. Yay or Nay?
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Feb 04, 2018 |
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How to Keep Your Cool in Stressful Lessons, Rehearsals, and More
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Jan 28, 2018 |
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Why Do We Have Such a Hard Time Accepting Compliments?
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Jan 21, 2018 |
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The Problem with Taking Excessively Long Practice Breaks
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Jan 14, 2018 |
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Why It’s Probably Not a Good Sign If Practicing Starts to Feel Easy
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Jan 07, 2018 |