Podcasts by The Bulletproof Musician

What Does the Research Say About Having a Couple Drinks Before Performing? from 2020-09-20T08:00

We've all heard stories about famous musicians who had a drink (or two) before performing to calm their nerves. But does this really make things better - or does it actually make things worse? A...

8 Things Top Practicers Do Differently from 2020-09-13T08:00

What are some of the practice strategies that help the most effective practicers improve faster (and play better) than the rest of us? A University of Texas study of 17 pianists, found 8 specifi...

Minna Chung: On the Mysteries of Intonation and a Few Things We Can Do to Play Better in Tune from 2020-09-06T08:00

Cellist Minna Chung describes the three systems of intonation (what?! there are 3?), which one to use when, and how we can all play a little better in tune.

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How Many of Our Mistakes Do Audiences (and Other Musicians) Actually Notice? from 2020-08-30T08:00

We often cringe at the mistakes we make on stage - but how many of these do audiences, or our fellow musicians, actually notice?

A Yale study of pianists provides some clues - and the num...

Handling Conflicts in Ensembles: A Few Things We May Be Able to Learn From the Research on Marital Satisfaction...? from 2020-08-23T08:00

It's been said that being in a quartet is like being in a marriage. And like any relationship, there's bound to be conflict from time to time. Research suggests that how we respond to these conf...

Is This Really a Significant Factor in How We Choose Our Teachers and Mentors? from 2020-08-16T08:00

Logic would suggest that when choosing a teacher or mentor, we would select people based more on their expertise and advising experience than anything else. But is this what we actually do? A re...

Why It May Be Useful to Laugh a Bit More in the Months Ahead from 2020-08-09T08:00

It's often said that laughter is the best medicine. But is there any truth to this? Surprisingly, there doesn't seem to be a ton of research on this, but a recent study does provide some clues.....

Stephen Hough: On the Question “Is Memorizing Music Really All That Important?” from 2020-08-02T08:00

Almost every musician has either had a memory slip or worried about having one at some point in their lives. So how important is it really to play from memory? Is it just one of those things we ...

How to Keep the Critic in Your Head From Wrecking Your Practice Session from 2020-07-26T08:00

I think we all assume that negative self-talk is bad, but the research is actually somewhat mixed. As in, there are some studies in which negative self-talk is associated with the same or better...

Why the Progress You Make in the Practice Room Seems to Disappear Overnight - PART 2 from 2020-07-19T08:00

Have you ever tried to experiment with random (aka interleaved) practice, but quit, because you weren't sure if you were doing it right? Or worried that you were letting bad habits stay in your ...

An Email Hack That Could Increase the Likelihood of Getting a Reply (and Possibly Make the World a Slightly Better Place for Everyone Too) from 2020-07-12T08:00

Ever send an email to someone, and get a little bummed out (or annoyed) when you never hear back?

Research suggests that the way we close our emails can have more of an impact than we rea...

Jason Haaheim: On “Deliberate Lessons” and How to Become a Better Teacher to Yourself from 2020-07-05T08:00

Like many other musicians, perhaps you've recorded your weekly lessons in the past. Or had a parent who recorded them.

But given how much time it takes to listen back, how useful is this ...

3 Questions to Ask Yourself That Could Boost the Effectiveness of Your Next Practice Session from 2020-06-28T08:00

Ever wonder why some people seem to always be coming up with effective and creative ways to overcome challenges, and some folks get stuck kind of going in circles even though they're putting in ...

Having Difficulty Motivating Yourself to Practice? Research Suggests That Copycatting a Friend Could Help. from 2020-06-21T08:00

Ever find yourself struggling with motivation and difficulty following through? Whether it's practicing or exercising, research suggests that asking a friend or acquaintance for advice could lea...

Evidence That You're Probably Not Great at Performing and Critiquing Your Performance at the Same Time from 2020-06-14T08:00

If you've been trying to convince yourself (or your students) to do more self-recording, here's a study that illustrates why this is such a useful practice tool. And also suggests that we might ...

Christian Howes: On Overcoming Improvisation Anxiety, Making Technical Practice More Creatively Satisfying, and Becoming a Better Friend to Yourself from 2020-06-07T08:00

Violinist and educator Christian Howes drops by to chat about learning how to improvise, how to overcome overwhelm, connect and collaborate more effectively with a diverse range of other musicia...

How the Things You Think about Backstage Could Carry over into Your Performance from 2020-05-31T08:00

Why is that in some performances, we're totally focused, and the critic in our head leaves us alone, and on other days, it's a total nightmare?

Research suggests that it might have a litt...

How to Talk to Yourself When You’re Having a Bad Practice Day (or Week) from 2020-05-24T08:00

We all naturally react to failure a little differently, but ever wonder what's different about those folks who seem to bounce back more effortlessly from repeated failure? This study provides so...

Having Difficulty Believing in Yourself? Here’s a Confidence-Building Technique That Doesn’t Feel Like You're Lying to Yourself. from 2020-05-17T08:00

We've all been told that it's important to go into auditions or performances with positive expectations - but that's often easier said than done. If you've ever gotten frustrated with positive v...

Struggling with Practice Apathy? You Might Be Neglecting “Psychological Rest” from 2020-05-10T08:00

We have all been told that bringing our "A" game in the practice room and on stage requires a certain amount of physical rest and recovery. But I don't know that we as acutely aware of the impor...

Howard Nelson&Pamela Frank: On Recovering from Injury, the Importance of Being Non-Judgmental, and Practicing with 1000% Expression from 2020-05-03T08:00

Physical therapist Howard Nelson and renowned violinist Pamela Frank share simple and practical insights on smart, effective practice that transfers to the stage, and ways to ensure that you hav...

Sarah Lewis: On Thinking Useful Thoughts, Gratitude, and the Challenge of Juggling Auditions and a 3-Month Old from 2020-04-26T08:00

A few months ago, percussionist Rob Knopper and I had a chance to sit down and chat with three musicians from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, to see what sorts of similarities and differences th...

Amanda Blaikie: On Believing in Yourself, Letting Go of Attachments, and Giving Yourself Permission to Be Kind to Yourself from 2020-04-22T08:00

A few months ago, percussionist Rob Knopper and I had a chance to sit down and chat with three musicians from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, to see what sorts of similarities and differences th...

Caroline Coade: On Being Flexible and "Practicing to Bulletproof” from 2020-04-19T08:00

A few months ago, percussionist Rob Knopper and I had a chance to sit down and chat with three musicians from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, to see what sorts of similarities and differences th...

A Mental Time Travel Technique That Could Reduce Anxiety and Enhance Performance from 2020-04-12T08:00

Athletes, coaches, and sport psychologists often recommend visualizing yourself having a successful performance in the future. But sometimes it can be difficult to get your brain to imagine or b...

Molly Gebrian: On Efficient, Effective, and Reliable Memorization Strategies for Musicians from 2020-04-05T08:00

Have you ever had a memory slip in performance or worried about having one on stage? University of Arizona viola professor and brain enthusiast (she majored in neuroscience in college) Molly Geb...

Nicole Newman: On Using Yoga to Develop Sustained Focused Attention, and Practice Getting into the Zone from 2020-03-29T08:00

Flutist-turned-yoga educator Nicole Newman shares insights on how yoga practice can not only have physical benefits that transfer to more effective performance, but also mental benefits in terms...

Tim Topham: On How to Maximize Your Effectiveness When Teaching Lessons Online from 2020-03-22T08:00

Having to go from live in-person lessons, to teaching through a laptop screen overnight can be a stressful experience. In this episode, piano teacher, educator, and podcaster Tim Topham will sha...

Targeted Memory Reactivation: A Hack to Improve Learning During Sleep? from 2020-03-15T08:00

It's well known that sleep is a key ingredient in optimal learning. But a recent study takes things a step further and suggests that we can selectively optimize the learning of certain informati...

Lynne Aspnes: On Breathing, Singing, and the Value of Cultivating a Diverse Range of Musical Influences from 2020-03-08T09:00

Harpist Lynne Aspnes shares insights on the role of singing in music-making, how to make breathing a more organic part of your playing, and the value of having diverse musical influences.

What Does Science Say About the Notion That We Don't Utilize Our Full Potential? from 2020-03-01T09:00

It's often said that we are capable of more than we realize - but is there any research evidence suggesting that we consistently underestimate our abilities?

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Fact or Myth: Does Thinking “Don’t Miss” Really Make Us More Likely to Mess Up? from 2020-02-23T09:00

You've probably heard that saying "don't miss" to yourself makes you more likely to mess up. But is this actually true? Or is it just a myth?

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How to Get Better at Detecting Errors - Especially If They’re Hiding in Plain Sight from 2020-02-16T09:00

Are we actually as good at detecting errors and imperfections in our playing as we think? We definitely are on stage - but research suggests we might be missing things in the practice room. Here...

The Mindsets That Make It Easier (and Harder) to Bounce Back from Mistakes Mid-Performance from 2020-02-09T09:00

Recovering from a poor start to your performance, or bouncing back from a botched excerpt in an audition can be a real challenge - though very much doable. But what separates those who can get b...

Jennifer Johnson: On Learning to Play More Effortlessly, Through a Better Understanding of the True Design of Your Body from 2020-02-02T09:00

Ever feel like you've reached a wall, and can't get your body to do what it needs to do to produce what you hear in your head? Violinist Jennifer Johnson explains how a better understanding of o...

Is Videotaping Yourself Worth the Time and Trouble? And If Yes, How So? (Part 2 of 2) from 2020-01-26T09:00

Athletes have been using videotape analysis to enhance learning and performance for years. But is it really worth the investment of time necessary? Does it lead to meaningful benefits above and ...

Is Videotaping Yourself Worth the Time and Trouble? And If Yes, How So? (Part 1 of 2) from 2020-01-19T09:00

Athletes have been using videotape analysis to enhance learning and performance for years. But is it really worth the investment of time necessary? What does the research say?

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Mental Practice Not Working for You? This Might Be the Reason Why… from 2020-01-12T09:00

Research has found that doing mental practice while watching video could be more effective than imagery alone. But if this sort of thing hasn't worked for you, a recent study has identified a re...

Nathan Hughes: On Being Honest in the Practice Room, and Learning How to Balance Being Analytical and Being Expressive from 2020-01-05T09:00

Met Opera oboist Nathan Hughes shares insights on how he prepares, so that he can play more confidently on stage, under pressure. Not just in terms of practicing the music, but managing the ment...

Structured Vs. Free Practice: Why You Probably Shouldn’t Just Be “Winging It” in the Practice Room from 2019-12-22T09:00

Research suggests that "structured practice" could lead to much more improvement in the same amount of practice time as "free practice" - but how exactly are the two different?

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How Do Fear, Anxiety, and Other Negative Emotions Affect the Learning Process? from 2019-12-15T09:00

Whether it's an intimidating conductor or the fear of falling short of expectations in a lesson, there are many moments in our music studies where we might experience anxiety, fear, shame, or ot...

Musical Charades: Should This Be Part of Your Regular Practice Routine? from 2019-12-07T09:00

Doing impressions of famous musicians is a fun game to play with friends when you're in the mood to procrastinate - but could this actually be a useful practice exercise? And have some potential...

Erik Ralske: On Developing a Stronger Internal Pulse, and the Paradoxical Benefits of Giving Yourself Permission to Miss Notes from 2019-12-01T09:00

Horn player Erik Ralske (Met Opera) provides insights on how to get into "the zone," and the paradoxical way in which giving yourself permission to miss notes could lead to more accurate playing...

How Long Does It REALLY Take to Form a New Habit? from 2019-11-24T09:00

It's often said that it takes 21 days to form a new habit. But is this actually true?

How Long...

Phonetography: Does This Enhance or Diminish Our Enjoyment of an Experience? from 2019-11-17T09:00

Nowadays, camera phones are everywhere. And we seem to photograph everything. But what effect does this have on our enjoyment of these experiences?

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The Misinterpreted-Effort Hypothesis, and Why We Often Practice Less Effectively than We Could from 2019-11-10T09:00

One of my teachers once said that if you sound good in the practice room, you're probably not practicing. Indeed, research suggests that there is actually a lot of truth to this. So why do we na...

Mike Block: On Discovering Your Musical Identity, “Exploratory” Practice, and Taking Creative Risks from 2019-11-03T08:00

Ever feel creatively stuck, unsatisfied, or inhibited somehow - but can't quite figure out how to get out of your rut? Cellist Mike Block describes some of the experiences that helped him to dis...

Why Highly “Representative” Practice Is so Important (Except When It Isn’t) from 2019-10-27T08:00

The idea of "performance practice," and preparing for the unique demands of performances makes a lot of intuitive sense - but are there times when this is NOT the most useful way to practice? Listen

Change This One Word to Get More Useful Feedback From Peers and Colleagues from 2019-10-20T08:00

Both giving and receiving feedback can be tricky (and icky). And if you've found feedback you've received to be kind of vague or otherwise unhelpful, research suggests that a tiny change to the ...

Can Young Students Be Taught to Engage in Deliberate Practice Too? from 2019-10-13T08:00

Deliberate or "deep" practice is widely acknowledged to be a critical factor in cultivating talent and ability. But at what age is this something that can be learned? Is this something that midd...

Angela Beeching: On the Keys to Developing a Career That’s Totally “You” from 2019-10-06T08:00

Ever freak out about what exactly you're going to do when you finish school, and how you're going to get there? Or maybe you're on the other side of school, but struggling a bit to find your uni...

Quirky Pre-Performance Rituals: Do They Really Work? from 2019-09-29T08:00

Many athletes and musicians engage in quirky rituals before each show. Do these really work? And if so, why?

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Get into a Better Pre-Audition Headspace with a "Heroic" Playlist from 2019-09-22T08:00

Staying in a good headspace when you have a lot of time to kill before a concert or audition can be a real challenge. But research suggests that listening to a particular kind of music could hel...

Why the “Task Completion Bias” Could Give You the Illusion of Productive Practice, but Make You Less Productive in the Long-Term from 2019-09-15T08:00

Is it more productive to front-load easy problems or to work on difficult ones? Well, research suggests that working on easy problems can be deceptively productive (and satisfying!) in the short...

A Simple Technique That Could Help You Give Better Advice to Your Students from 2019-09-08T08:00

There's a legitimate reason (the "curse of expertise") why it can sometimes be difficult for experts to teach less experienced players how to learn skills that the expert has long ago encoded in...

Claire Stefani: On Chinrests, Shoulder Rests, and How the Right Setup Can Facilitate More Effortless, Tension-free Playing from 2019-09-01T08:00

High chinrest? Low chinrest? Centered? Shoulder rest? Shoulder pad/sponge? Or no shoulder rest at all? Finding the right setup can feel like a bewildering process of blind trial and error. But a...

How to Use Positive “Trigger Words” for More Expressive Performances from 2019-08-25T08:00

Research suggests that positive "trigger words" can help you get into character more effectively, and facilitate more expressive performances.

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The “Gesturing Effect": A Way to Learn New Skills More Quickly? from 2019-08-18T08:00

Need to get a new piece learned faster? Here's a study which suggests we might be able to give ourselves a head start by gesturing while watching a video (like air guitar).

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How Many of Our Worries Actually Come True? from 2019-08-11T08:00

I once read a claim that 90% of the things we worry about never come true. But is this true? Or is it one of those made-up stats like how 73.6% of all statistics are made up?

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Blaise Dejardin: On Emotion, Technique, and the Kind of Practice That Facilitates Consistently Beautiful Performances from 2019-08-04T08:00

Boston Symphony Principal Cello Blaise Déjardin shares insights on how he practices for consistently beautiful performances, and what he did to get into a good headspace on the day of his auditi...

Your “Stress Mindset,” and How This Could Make Stress Work For or Against You from 2019-07-28T08:00

Emerging research suggests that our "stress mindset" influences our physical, mental, and emotional response to stress - and whether it has a positive or negative effect.

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Why Day-of-Performance Butterflies May Actually Be a Good Thing from 2019-07-21T08:00

Have you ever wished there were a way to make performance days feel more like normal days and not have to deal with the butterflies? Well, research suggests that you may want to rethink this par...

"Action Observation," And How to Get More out of Your Mental Imagery Practice from 2019-07-14T08:00

Turns out mental imagery has a much bigger effect on learning and performance if you are good at imagery. So what are your options if imagery is something that you struggle with?

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Tom Hooten: On Being Curious, and Elevating Learning and Growth Above Ego from 2019-07-07T08:00

Hear LA Phil Principal Trumpet Tom Hooten describe the uncommon mindset and approach to learning that has helped him become the player he is today.

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How to "Reset" Your Body Clock and Shift Your Peak Performance Window (&Thrive in AM Rehearsals) from 2019-06-30T08:00

Are you a "night owl" that struggles with sluggishness in morning rehearsals or practice sessions? A recent study suggests that you can actually become more of a morning person and be more effec...

Are Coffee Naps Legit? from 2019-06-23T08:00

Have you ever heard of a coffee nap? It's exactly what it sounds like - but is there any research supporting such a thing? Actually, yes! A few studies have looked at whether a coffee nap is bet...

The Role of Self-Compassion in Overcoming Setbacks and Cultivating Mental Toughness from 2019-06-16T08:00

Setbacks are inevitable, and there may not be much we can do to prevent them - but we do have control over how we respond. A recent study illustrates how formerly excessively self-critical athle...

Conflicted Between Two Different Choices? Here’s a “Random” Way to Accelerate the Decision-Making Process. from 2019-06-09T08:00

Ever get paralyzed and indecisive when faced with a choice between two things that are either similar, or have competing pros and cons? Research suggests that a "random" decision aid can help ac...

Uri Vardi: On the Way Unconscious Habits Shape Our Playing, and How Feldenkrais Can Help Us Unlock More of Our Potential from 2019-06-02T08:00

Cellist and Feldenkrais practitioner Uri Vardi explains what Feldenkrais is (and isn't) and shares some examples of how this body awareness modality can help musicians play more efficiently and ...

Self-Monitoring, and How “Happy Face” May Have Been a More Potent Practice Strategy than I Realized… from 2019-05-26T08:00

A 2017 study found that "self-monitoring" was a significant predictor of whether athletes were competing at an elite, less-elite, or recreational level. So what is self-monitoring exactly, and h...

Three Different Types of Practice Strategies - Which One Works Best? from 2019-05-19T08:00

Research suggests that not all practice strategies are equally effective. So between blocked, random, and win-shift/lose-stay practice, which one is best? And just what do these strategies look ...

A Way to Amplify (or Weaken) the Effect of Self-Talk on Performance from 2019-05-12T08:00

A recent study suggests that there is a simple self-talk hack that could make it even more effective in enhancing performance.

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Menahem Pressler: On Following Your Heart from 2019-05-05T08:00

Renowned pianist Menahem Pressler speaks about the importance of finding your own voice, and shares many profound insights about the pursuit of a career in music, and what he has found most rewa...

A Goal-Setting Tweak That Could Be the Difference Between an OK Performance and a Great Performance? from 2019-04-28T08:00

We often hear that positive thinking, and envisioning the future we want is an important step in getting there - but research suggests that the best performers include another key ingredient tha...

How Exaggerating Technical Errors Could Improve Your Technique from 2019-04-21T08:00

Struggling to nail a tricky shift or hit a difficult high note? Believe it or not, research suggests that instead of trying to do everything right, it might be worth trying to do everything wron...

Should Phones and Laptops Be Banned in the Classroom? Or Is This Just Much Ado about Nothing? from 2019-04-14T08:00

Is banning phones and laptops in class a good idea - or totally unnecessary? A new study provides answers, but it's a little more nuanced than you might think.

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Margo Drakos: On Creating a Safety Net and Taking a Chance on Yourself from 2019-04-07T08:00

Cellist-turned-entrepreneur Margo Drakos shares some of the key strategies that have been instrumental to her success both in music (Oregon, San Diego, Seattle, Pittsburgh symphonies & American ...

Why Learning the Wrong Way to Play Could Enhance Performance (and Confidence Too) from 2019-03-31T08:00

A study suggests that we can learn more effectively and build more confidence by learning more about the wrong ways to perform a skill, instead of only learning the correct way to execute a skil...

The Potential Upside of Having a "Rival" from 2019-03-24T08:00

Rivalries are often thought of as being really competitive, and sometimes unhealthy, but are there situations in which they could be a good thing?

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How to Keep Your Cool Backstage Before Auditions and Performances from 2019-03-17T08:00

When you have too much time to wait backstage, it can be easy for your thoughts and emotions to spiral out to the bad place. Learn the specific strategies that athletes use to regulate their emo...

8 Strategies for Breaking Out of a Performance Slump from 2019-03-10T09:00

Ever find yourself stuck in a performance "slump"? Where you struggle through a string of subpar auditions/performances, and can't figure out how to get back on track? Here are 8 strategies that...

Catherine Cho: On Developing Great Rhythm (and Why Old-School Metronomes Are the Way to Go) from 2019-03-03T09:00

Have you ever felt that the music was "stuck"? Or wondered why your metronome practice wasn't working? Learn how to get unstuck and cultivate a stronger sense of rhythm in this chat with violini...

The Performance Post-Mortem: A Review Process to Bounce Back Better and Faster from 2019-02-24T09:00

Feeling a little demoralized after a sub-par performance? Here's a research-based post-performance reflection process developed at Florida State University to help you bounce back better, faster...

A Visualization Hack to Get More Out of Your Mental Practice from 2019-02-17T09:00

It's common to vary one's speed/tempo when you're doing physical practice. But is there any benefit in doing this when engaged in mental practice?

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A Mental Tweak to Reduce the Gap Between Your Best Playing and What Happens Under Pressure from 2019-02-10T09:00

Research suggests that a new mental adjustment and shift in how we view the stakes in stressful performance situations could help us avoid choking under pressure.

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David Kim: On Letting Go and Being Yourself from 2019-02-03T09:00

Philadelphia Orchestra concertmaster David Kim shares insights on his most effective practice techniques, biggest failures (and successes), and more.

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A Scientific Rationale for Keeping Photos of Friends and Family in Your Case from 2019-01-27T09:00

Are people who have pictures of family and friends in their case on to something? A study suggets that simply imagining our partner can help us reduce stress as much as having them physically pr...

Get Into "The Zone" More Frequently with This Subtle Mental Adjustment from 2019-01-20T09:00

Is getting into "the zone" something that just happens randomly? Or do we have more control over this than we realize? New research suggests that we actually do indeed.

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A Comparison of Two Types of Anti-Choking Strategies from 2019-01-13T09:00

Pre-performance routines often consist of a number of different elements. But might simply squeezing a ball in your left hand a few times be just as effective?

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Lori Schiff: On How Alexander Technique Can Enhance Learning and Performance Under Pressure from 2019-01-06T09:00

What is Alexander Technique, really? Will it help our playing? If so, in what way? How do we know if we need it? Learn more in this chat with Juilliard's Alexander Technique teacher Lori Schiff....

How Perfect Does Your Intonation Have to Be? from 2018-12-30T09:00

How much wiggle room do we have when it comes to intonation? Do pitch issues affect audience (and other musicians') opinions of the quality of a performance as much as we think they do?

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Does Focusing on Musical Expressiveness in Performance Come at the Expense of Technical Precision? from 2018-12-23T09:00

It's often said that we should focus on "the music" when performing instead of the notes and technique per se. But does this come at a cost to technical accuracy?

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A Mental Shift That Could Help You Produce a More Beautiful Sound on Stage from 2018-12-16T09:00

Ever have a teacher tell you to imagine performing to the very last row in a hall? Research suggests that this might be better advice than we realize.

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Can’t Shut Off Your Brain and Get to Sleep? This 5-min Exercise Could Help. from 2018-12-09T09:00

Ever have difficulty shutting off your brain and getting to sleep? A recent study found that this 5-min writing exercise could help.

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Mark Kosower: On Learning Music, Slow Practice, and the Kind of Focus That's Associated With His Best Performances from 2018-12-02T09:00

Cleveland Orchestra principal cellist Mark Kosower talks about how he approaches learning music, and describes what exactly he is thinking about when he's having his best performances.

Fo...

A "Backwards" Strategy for Cultivating More Passion about Music You're Not in Love With from 2018-11-25T09:00

Sometimes we have to play music that we don't necessarily love. So is there anything we can do to cultivate some more enthusiasm about the piece anyway?

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Should You Be Using a Metronome When You Do Mental Practice? from 2018-11-18T09:00

When you engage in mental practice, how aware are you of tempo? Might you be rushing or dragging? Here's some research on how that could have more of an effect on your performance than you might...

Why Worrying about Shaky Bow Just Makes Things Worse (and What You Could Focus on Instead) from 2018-11-11T09:00

Nothing strikes fear in the heart of a string player like a shaking bow arm. Of course, worrying about shaking is a surefire way to experience the shakes. So what can you do to keep your mind fr...

Jason Haaheim: On Practice, Talent, Motivation, and Playing the "Long Game" from 2018-11-04T08:00

Have you ever wondered (or worried) if you were talented enough? Met principal timpanist Jason Haaheim explains why this is the wrong question to be asking ourselves - and what we should be aski...

How to Minimize Jet Lag and Perform Your Best When Crossing Multiple Time Zones from 2018-10-28T08:00

Ever wish there was a way to fight jet lag and not be such a zombie when you travel across multiple time zones? Here are 9 tips from two Stanford orthopedic surgeons' review of the literature. Listen

Do Other People Really Learn As Quickly As It Seems Like They Do? from 2018-10-21T08:00

Have you ever practiced or studied in secret, afraid to let on how long it takes for you to learn something? Good news - other people are probably working harder than you think.

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2 Ways to Shrink the “Intention-Behavior Gap,” Improve Your Follow-through, and Get Things Done from 2018-10-14T08:00

Ever get frustrated by how difficult it can be to follow through on big plans? Here are two strategies that research suggests can help you get over the hump.

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Jay Larranaga: On Becoming the Best Version of Yourself That You Can Be from 2018-10-07T08:00

In this week's conversation, Boston Celtics assistant coach Jay Larranaga shares some of the key habits and characteristics that seem to be essential in becoming a top performer.

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Why an “Improvisational Mindset” Could Be Vital to Reducing Performance Anxiety and Increasing Audience Engagement from 2018-09-30T08:00

It wouldn't seem that improvisation would have a place in classical music performance - but could this be one of the keys to a better performance experience - for both performer and audience? Listen

How a Post-Practice Workout Could Help Boost Learning and Retention from 2018-09-23T08:00

Research suggests that exercising after learning a new skill can help enhance the learning of that skill. So maybe the best time for musicians to work out is after a practice session?

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Do Classical Musicians Get More Nervous Than Non-Classical Musicians? (And If so, Why?) from 2018-09-16T08:00

Is there something inherently different about classical music that makes classical musicians more anxious on stage? And if so, what could that possibly be?

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8 Strategies Musicians Use to Create Their Own Unique Interpretation of a Piece from 2018-09-09T08:00

Ever wonder what exact strategies experienced musicians use to come up with their own unique interpretation of a piece? Research suggests that these 8 strategies might be a good place to start.<...

Nathan Cole and Akiko Tarumoto: On Practice, Lifelong Learning, and Balancing Life With Work and Audition Preparation from 2018-09-02T08:00

Ever have one of those days where you question if it's possible to balance practicing, performing, and having a life?

In this week's chat, LA Phil violinists (and husband/wife) Nathan Col...

Have Difficulty Staying Awake During Mental Practice? Try "Dynamic" Mental Imagery Instead! Have Difficulty Staying Awake During Mental Practice? Try "Dynamic" Mental Imagery Instead! from 2018-08-26T08:00

Research suggests that a different way of doing mental practice - "dynamic imagery" - could actually lead to better performance results than the regular 'ol way.

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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) from 2018-08-19T08:00

Apparently we've all been sitting incorrectly our whole lives - and paying a price for it not just in terms of comfort, but cognitive performance too.

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An Easy-to-Overlook “Hack” for Enhancing Concentration in the Practice Room from 2018-08-12T08:00

Having difficulty concentrating in the practice room? Sounds simple, but research suggests that taking a drink of water could help increase concentration and help you problem-solve more effectiv...

Carol Rodland: On Learning to Work with Your Body, Not Against It from 2018-08-05T08:00

Playing a musical instrument can be physically awkward at times - but it shouldn't feel quite as uncomfortable as it often does. In this week's conversation, violist Carol Rodland (Juilliard, Pe...

The “Urgency Effect” and How to Prioritize More Effectively in the Practice Room from 2018-07-29T08:00

Some things are urgent (a gig today), while other things are important (a big audition in 2 months). How can we make the best use of our practice time so that we are at our best for the truly im...

Does It Help (or Hurt) to Have Friends and Family in the Audience? from 2018-07-22T08:00

We've all heard of "home-court advantage." But research suggests that there are times when performing in front of a supportive audience can put us at a disadvantage too.

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Perform Better Under Pressure with This Subtle Adjustment to Your Self-Talk from 2018-07-15T08:00

It's normal to feel pressure in high-stakes auditions and performances, but too much can lead to a meltdown. Is there any way to relieve some of that pressure while still caring deeply about doi...

Julie Landsman: On Getting into the Zone and Developing Trust in Your Playing from 2018-07-08T08:00

What do great performers think about while performing? Technique? Sound? Images? In this week's conversation, former Met principal horn player Julie Landsman shares insights on what she did to s...

Research Suggests That While Mental Practice Is Good, This Hybrid Approach Is Even Better from 2018-07-01T08:00

You probably already know about the benefits of mental practice. And you may also have heard of "observational practice." But recent research suggests that combining the two can help us learn ev...

What's the Most (and Least) Helpful Thing to Text a Friend Before Their Audition? from 2018-06-24T08:00

What's the right thing to say to someone before a high-pressure event? Good luck? You'll do great? Just breathe? Research suggests that a text message from a significant other can attenuate thei...

Janet Horvath: On Preventing Overuse Injuries and Playing Pain-Free from 2018-06-17T08:00

How do "overuse" injuries occur? Is it simply a matter of playing too much? Or are there other factors involved that are often overlooked? In this week's conversation, former MN Orchestra associ...

A Better Way to Teach Complex Skills, Borrowed From…Doggy Training? from 2018-06-10T08:00

It's easy for lessons to become completely focused on all the things we are doing wrong. And while glossing over mistakes is not the answer, is this the most effective way to learn? Or might ani...

Listening to Music While Studying: Ok or Not Ok? from 2018-06-03T08:00

We've all done it. And some swear that it helps them to focus and concentrate. But what does the research say? Do we actually study better if there's music playing in the background?

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Memorize More Music by Remembering to Press "Pause"? from 2018-05-27T08:00

Why you may want to give yourself a little bit of quiet time after practicing (or studying), instead of jumping immediately into another activity.

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Rob Knopper: On Overcoming the Fear of Recording Yourself (and Making It Your New Favorite Practice Tool) from 2018-05-20T08:00

I used to dread recording myself. And listening back was even worse. So why do some musicians swear by it? How exactly does it help us in the practice room and on stage? And how can we get ourse...

“Mistake Rituals” and Why it's Important to Prepare for On-Stage Surprises from 2018-05-13T08:00

There are two kinds of mistakes we make on stage. The kind that we see coming (ack! difficult passage ahead!). And the kind we never could have imagined (what the...?!). Either way, we need a wa...

Does Stress Make Us More Susceptible to Injury? from 2018-05-06T08:00

Stress is never any fun - but does stress also contribute to injury? Research suggests that it can...giving us another reason to make sure we are taking breaks and recharging our batteries durin...

Creativity Sounds Important…but at the Elite Level, How Valuable Is It Really? from 2018-04-29T08:00

Creativity sounds like a good thing - but does creativity on stage actually lead to more success in auditions and competitions? Or is it just about execution, plain and simple?

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Peter Miksza: On the Overlooked Value of Improvisation in Musical Training from 2018-04-22T08:00

Listen in as Indiana University music education researcher and professor Peter Miksza and I chat about some of the research on improvisation, and talk about the overlooked role it may play in mu...

Jeff Huber: On Preparing Mentally for Competition from 2018-04-15T08:00

Listen in as 3-time US Olympic diving coach Jeff Huber shares some tips on how to make the most of your practice time, and prepare more effectively for competition.

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A Childhood Pastime That Could Help You Reduce Stress and Manage Audition-Day Nerves from 2018-04-01T08:00

The wait backstage can be torturous, as you feel the anxiety build, and wish you could just go out and play already. What are we supposed to do with all that time anyway? Listen to music? Visual...

Can We Really Trust Our Intuition When Making Difficult Decisions? from 2018-03-25T08:00

When faced with a tough decision, people often advise us to "sleep on it" or "go with your gut." But what does the research say? Is there any evidence that we can actually trust our intuition in...

Two Different Kinds of Nerves? How One Type Helps and the Other Type…Not so Much from 2018-03-18T08:00

Most people think nerves are bad. But some people say nerves and pressure can be good. So...which is it?

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Could This Working Memory Exercise Help Offset the Effect of Nerves on Performance? from 2018-03-11T09:00

Many of the brain-training apps and games out there don't seem to be as effective as one might hope. But there's one type of mental training that does seem to improve performance under pressure....

Stereotype Threat: The Paradox of Becoming Exactly What You’re Trying to Prove That You’re Not. (Huh?!) from 2018-03-04T09:00

Have you ever performed poorly at something because you put too much pressure on yourself to prove that you are totally awesome at that thing? A phenomenon known as "stereotype threat" is one re...

Need a Little Shot of Optimism? Try the "Best Possible Self" Exercise from 2018-02-25T09:00

It's easy to start losing confidence and start doubting yourself in the week leading up to a big performance or audition. But research suggests that the "best possible self" exercise could help ...

Can We Train Ourselves to Be Less Anxious? from 2018-02-18T09:00

"Just think positive" never seems to work - but only focusing on doom and gloom sure doesn't help either. Research suggests that the key may lie in not making up positive things, but training ou...

Just Thinking You Don't Have Enough Time (Even If That's Not True) Negatively Affects Performance from 2018-02-11T09:00

Nowadays, we all seem to be going through each day, rushing from one thing to the next. And sometimes, this just becomes a habit, where we feel the pressure of time no matter what we are doing. ...

Power Posing vs. Yoga. Yay or Nay? from 2018-02-04T09:00

Can a little backstage yoga or power posing help us manage our anxiety and walk out on stage a little more calm and composed? What does the research say?

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How to Keep Your Cool in Stressful Lessons, Rehearsals, and More from 2018-01-28T09:00

The motivational climate that leads to more anxious, stressed-out learners. And the motivational climate that leads to more resilient learners.

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Why Do We Have Such a Hard Time Accepting Compliments? from 2018-01-21T09:00

Do you have a hard time accepting and internalizing compliments from others? Here's a 3-step technique for taking it in - without turning into an overconfident, self-congratulating #$&@.

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The Problem with Taking Excessively Long Practice Breaks from 2018-01-14T09:00

Why taking a practice break too soon, and for too long, could slow down the learning process.

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Why It’s Probably Not a Good Sign If Practicing Starts to Feel Easy from 2018-01-07T09:00

Research suggests that my teacher may have been onto something when he said "if practicing feels easy, you’re probably not doing it right.”

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