The Bulletproof Musician
Episodes
Micah Killion: The One Thing Artist-Level Musicians Do Differently in the Practice Room
08 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How should musicians actually practice to improve faster? In this conversation with researcher and trumpet professor Micah Killion, we explore what ex...
How to Start a Performance with More Accuracy (Without the Onstage Warm-Up)
18 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
One of my teachers often used to say that no matter what you’re playing, when you’re on stage, the beginning of a piece is always the hardest part...
When You Can’t Get Yourself to Start Practicing, Try This
11 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In some years it feels easier to begin the new year with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Other years, it can be difficult to get going and build up th...
The Central Strategy Expert Musicians Use to Practice Difficult Passages
28 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We all get stuck on problem passages from time to time. And it can be very natural to simply throw more repetitions at it, in hopes that this will eve...
How a Small Change in Self-Talk Could Improve Performance Under Pressure
21 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The voice in our head can be an asset at times - but also kind of a jerk at the worst possible moments. And like that one person in the “quiet car”...
A Learning Method That Outperformed Traditional Practice
14 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A few months ago, when a sportswriter published an article in The New York Times about an unusual and “revolutionary” practice method that NBA sta...
How Much Perfectionism Do You Really Need to Succeed?
07 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A friend recently asked if it's true that becoming a virtuoso performer requires being a perfectionist.Well, spoiler alert, it's not a simpl...
Pallavi Mahidhara: On Practicing for Flexibility, Not Perfection
30 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Playing for other people, whether it’s an audience of one, a dozen, or several hundred, can be a stressful thing! So it’s easy to focus on the neg...
What Happened When Musicians Slept 90 Minutes More
23 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sleep and recovery is an aspect of preparation that athletes prioritize, with teams hiring sleep consultants, and many athletes going to great lengths...
Why Being Too Quick to Offer Feedback Could Inhibit Learning
16 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I remember a lesson many years ago, when my teacher told me that her job was to teach me how to teach myself. So that I would one day no longer need a...
Fewer Repetitions….But More Rapid Progress?
09 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Whether we’re baking a cake, driving to a new restaurant, or putting together a puzzle, we can usually get to the goal more efficiently and effectiv...
Ida Kavafian: Habits That Separate Good Musicians from Great Ones
02 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode with violinist Ida Kavafian is packed with key points about effective practice, plus fascinating nerdy details about bowing and fingering...
Can Memorizing Music Make You a More Expressive Performer?
26 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of the arguments often made for why we should memorize music, is that performing from memory facilitates more expressive performances. But is that...
Two Approaches to Memorization (Beware: One Could Leave You Stranded!)
19 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Memory can often feel like a mysterious, unknowable phenomenon. Something that happens magically by itself at times, with great effort at others, and ...
A Hidden Reason You Forget Music on Stage
12 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mistakes on stage are never fun, but missing a note here or there, or playing out of tune is over and done with pretty quick. Having a memory slip on ...
Jane Ginsborg: On Building Stronger and More Reliable Musical Memory
05 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Talk to anyone who has ever performed from memory, and you’ll probably get a story of a time when their memory failed them. For instance, I remember...
How to Use Focus Cues to Play More Freely on Stage
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A pianist once told me the last thing their teacher said at their final lesson after years of study: “Now forget everything I ever told you.”Not e...
Is There Hope for the Most Anxious Performers?
21 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of the questions that I'm often asked, is the question of whether performance psychology can be helpful to those whose performance anxiety is...
How to Get Your Mind in the Right Place Before Going On Stage
14 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Staying in a good mental and emotional state before performances is critical to playing up to our abilities when it counts. And we're probably go...
Graham Fitch: On Playful Practice and Muscle Memory You Can Trust
07 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When you think of practicing your instrument, what are some of the first words that come to mind? Are the words “fun” or “playful” anywhere on...
Does Aiming for Perfection Actually Hurt Performance?
31 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever worry that excellent performance might not be “good enough?” And maybe you've assumed that aiming for perfection is a safer bet? You’r...
Could Performance Anxiety Be Causing Students to Quit?
24 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There are a lot of reasons why someone might decide to quit music at some point along the way. But could performance anxiety be one of them?Indeed, pe...
Worried About a Performance? 4 Reasons Why (And How to Stop)
17 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Worrying is never much fun, but it’s especially not fun in the leadup to a performance or audition. And even more so when we get stuck in a “worry...
Double Your Practice Gains With a Nap?
10 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you a regular napper? Or maybe not such a fan?Either way, given that today is National Lazy Day, I thought it would be the perfect time to look at...
Ignasi Cambra: On Learning, Memorizing, and Interpreting Music
03 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I never got all that serious about playing the piano, but I did take lessons for a number of years and remember the many challenges I ran into as the ...
Notes First or Music First? Which Leads to Better Performance?
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Whether learning a new sport or playing an instrument, traditionally, we're often taught to start by building up some fundamental skills first, b...
A Way to Get More Useful Performance Feedback?
20 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It can be pretty uncomfortable to play for others and ask for feedback. I mean, putting ourselves out there to be judged and evaluated is never much f...
How to Unlock Your Students’ Hidden Practice Abilities
13 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ineffective practice can be discouraging on so many levels. For one, practicing for time or repetitions is not much fun. And negative practice experie...
Judy Loman: On the Best Advice For an Aspiring Harpist (or Musician)
06 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“If I didn’t have the harp, I wouldn’t be me.”Internationally renowned harpist Judy Loman remains an active practicer, performer, and teacher ...
A Comparison of Three Approaches to Teaching Expressiveness
29 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We learned last week that having more to say expressively with the music we’re playing could increase the likelihood of experiencing more flow state...
The Overlooked Skill That Could Make Performing More Enjoyable
22 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You know those really good days on stage? Where you’re totally present and in the moment, at one with your instrument, locked in on the music, not w...
How Do Effective Practicers Make the Most of Their Practice Time?
15 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Effective practicers tend to be more motivated, empowered, and persistent, whereas less effective practicers tend to feel more helpless and lower self...
Do We Unconsciously Favor Talent Over Effort?
08 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You're probably heard the quote "Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration."But what do you think? Both play some ro...
Cellist Yumi Kendall: On Becoming a More Positive (And Effective) Practicer
01 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cellist Yumi Kendall has been the assistant principal cellist of the Philadelphia Orchestra since 2004, serves on the faculty of the Curtis Institute ...
How to Keep Your Inner Critic From Getting the Better of You
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We all have a voice in our head, that can sometimes get pretty loud and awfully critical.Ever wonder where this voice and all that negativity comes fr...
Pre-Performance Apathy (and the Importance of Mentally Disengaging From Practice)
18 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There's a famous quote attributed to Heifetz (or any number of different folks) - that if I don't practice one day, I know it; two days, the...
Your Brain Isn’t Built for Consistency - Here’s How to Make That Work for You
11 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder why it's so difficult to do the same thing twice, in exactly the same way?Like the same exact crescendo or the same exact speed of vi...
Mitch Abrams: On Trauma and High-Level Performance
04 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I think the last couple decades have seen a growing change in the music community, where there's a greater openness to talking about nerves and c...
Reward vs. Punishment: Which Leads to Faster Learning?
27 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to motivating students, musicians, or even ourselves, we all wonder: is it better to reward effort — or call out mistakes? It turns ou...
One Way Parents Can Help Their Kids Be Less Anxious
20 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's hard to be a parent and not worry about one's kids. Especially when it comes to public performances, competitions, or auditions, whethe...
A Self-Talk Tweak to Boost the Odds of Achieving Your Goals
13 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
My daughter and I have been binge-watching past seasons of The Amazing Race for some months now, and the psychology nerd in me has become increasingly...
Linda Chesis: On Cultivating a More Beautiful Sound and Becoming a Better Practicer
06 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever get that overwhelmed feeling in the practice room? Where you know there’s a ton of work to be done, but you’re not quite sure where to start ...
Finding Your Optimal Anxiety Level: Why Calm Isn’t Always Better
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Even from a young age, I was always confused by the relationship between nerves and performance. There were times, for instance, when I’d be nervous...
The 70% Rule: Why Practicing Shouldn’t Be Too Easy
23 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Somewhere along the line we learn that mistakes are bad, and perfect is good - but what if this is actually not true when it comes to learning?What if...
Sight Reading: The Ideal Error Rate for Optimal Learning
16 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When you're practicing sight-reading, how difficult should the music be?Should it be easy enough that you can read it more or less perfectly, wit...
Why Practicing While Distracted Is Actually Very Important
09 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever found yourself getting irritated or see your performance get derailed by distractions on stage? Maybe it was noises backstage, or moveme...
How to Help Students Remember More From Each Lesson
02 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A one-hour lesson can often go by really quickly, but also be packed with lots and lots to remember.Have you ever found yourself repeating yourself fr...
How to Increase the Likelihood of Being Accepted by Others
23 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's human nature to want to be liked and accepted by others. But while some seem to have a knack for it, for many of us, fear of rejection or fe...
Stumped by a Problem in the Practice Room? Try an “Incubation” Break
16 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever had one of those "aha" moments when a solution to a problem spontaneously popped into your head?Wouldn't it be nice if we...
Perfect Shmerfect. Could More “Mistakes” Accelerate Learning?
09 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever notice how some folks seem to learn faster than others? What’s their secret? Is it just natural ability? Sure, maybe there’s some of that.But...
Carolyn Christie: On Overcoming Nerves With Healthier Internal Dialogue - and Phrasing!
02 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever notice how mean the voice in your head can become on stage? Where it generates YouTube comment section-like levels of criticism and abuse?Or mayb...
Can We Train Ourselves to Worry Less About Others’ Opinions?
26 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I came across a study years ago which found that fear of negative evaluation was one of the key drivers of performance anxiety in musicians. Which of ...
What Causes "Choking" Under Pressure? And What Can We Do About It?
19 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever had one of those days on stage where you suddenly can't seem to do a thing that normally is never an issue? Or maybe it's one ...
The Truth About Cramming: Why Your Brain Needs Breaks
12 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Taking breaks in the middle of practice or study sessions can be a pain. Often, it's a lot easier and more convenient to just power through and g...
Orli Shaham: On Overcoming Setbacks and Learning to Trust the Process
05 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever had one of those “I’m a total failure, and I’m never going to be invited to play with these folks again” moments?In this month’s chat, ...
A Backward Strategy for Enhanced Goal-Setting Success
29 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Maybe you've set some goals for the coming year, but you're not quite sure where to start, and feeling a little overwhelmed? Or maybe you ha...
4 Approaches to Goal Setting (And Which Works Best)
22 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you a little overwhelmed by all of the different year-in-review and goal-setting methods you're getting in your inbox? If you're confuse...
Do Extroverts Make Better Performers Than Introverts?
15 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered if there's an advantage to being an extrovert or introvert when it comes to performing?Well, I'm afraid you're g...
Laurie Scott & Cornelia Watkins: On Going From the Stage to the Studio
08 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“See one, do one, teach one” is a model for learning that’s been utilized in medicine for many generations.It’s quite a helpful model, but if ...
Does How We Look On Stage Matter More Than How We Sound...?
01 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered how much the visual aspect of a performance matters to the listener?Like, if you were going to enter two competitions, where on...
Does Counting Our Blessings Really Change Anything?
24 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Thanksgiving is just a few days away, so whether your holiday will be of the turkey, turducken, or Tofurky variety, the one thing we all have in commo...
An Easier Way to Get Better at Mental Imagery?
17 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You've heard that mental practice and mental imagery can help enhance your learning - but what if your images are fuzzy and this is difficult for...
A Better Way to Do Mental Practice?
10 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The use of mental practice or mental imagery to enhance learning and performance is extremely common amongst athletes in sports. And it’s somethin...
Not an Optimist? How to Make Pessimism Work for You.
03 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do optimists have an advantage when it comes to performing better under pressure? Not necessarily! The research suggests that there are multiple types...
Can Breathing Really Help Reduce Anxiety? Or Is It Just a Cliché?
27 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can the right sort of breathing really reduce anxiety? The short answer is yes - but why?A 2017 study illustrates how breathing could help reduce stre...
Go From Procrastination to Productivity With “Temptation Bundling”
20 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever struggled to maintain a new habit? Like exercising, or recording yourself more often, or transcribing lesson recordings?A 2013 study fou...
A Better Way to Bounce Back From Disappointing Setbacks
13 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A 2008 study highlights the two ways we often respond to disappointments and setbacks. They both work ok in the short term, but one is more effective ...
Why Giving Students Choices Could Dramatically Enhance Learning
06 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎓 In this episode, we'll take a look at at 2017 ballet study which suggests that the simple element of choice could dramatically enhance learn...
What Are Audition Committees Really Listening For?
29 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wish you could be psychic for a moment and find out what audition committees are thinking about your performance?Where they focused more on the t...
The Best Time to Exercise for Maximizing Practice Gains
22 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Research suggests that a short bout of exercise could enhance the effectiveness of your practice, by boosting encoding and memory consolidation.But......
How Important Is It Really to Practice Every Day?
15 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Let's say you had only 60 minutes to practice in the next week. Would it be better to do 60 minutes all in one day? Or 10 minutes per day for six...
Improve Coordination With Opposite-Side Practice
08 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever find yourself stumped by a tricky passage, where your fingers seem to be a little awkward and uncoordinated and they just don't do what they...
Nathan Cole: Lessons From 20 Years of Concertmaster Auditions
01 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered...how to develop true confidence in yourself and your abilities amidst setbacks? What the right mindset is for auditions? How m...
An Ironic Strategy to Stay Calmer and Avoid Rushing on Performance Days
25 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's picking a tempo that's too fast, or rushing a shift, it's easy for things to feel sped up on concert days when the adrenal...
How Teachers' Expectations Can Shape Students' Learning & Performance
18 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In last week's episode, we looked at a study which illustrated how our own beliefs and expectations about ourselves can affect our performance.It...
How Much Do Positive or Negative Expectations Affect Performance?
11 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Even from a very early age, I remember being told to imagine things going well. The idea, was that if I could imagine a positive outcome, I'd be ...
How to Keep Music Feeling Fresh Through Repeated Performances
04 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's probably fairly common for our minds to go on autopilot when we're brushing our teeth, mowing the lawn, or folding laundry. And that&ap...
Is It Really so Bad to Frown After Making a Mistake?
28 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
My daughter loved playing card games as a young child. And what was fun about playing with her was how completely transparent she was. Anytime she got...
What’s the Optimal Practice-To-Rest Ratio?
21 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How frequently do you take breaks during practice?Ever wonder how long your breaks should be? Or for that matter, how long your practice sessions shou...
Is There a Way to Make Self-Imposed Deadlines Work?
14 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's writing a paper, studying for finals, or preparing for a recital or audition, have you ever find yourself cramming at the last minut...
Does Listening to Music Benefit the Music Learning Process?
07 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're often told to listen to recordings of music that we're working on. And we often tell our students to do so as well, but is there any r...
A Better Way to Learn, Teach, and Perform New Skills?
30 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever have one of those days in the practice room, where as soon as you fix one issue, another problem pops up? And just when you think you have that p...
Is It Better to Perform With Eyes Open or Closed?
23 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you tend to play with your eyes open? Or do you sometimes close them? Ever wonder if there might be any performance benefit to performing with eyes...
A Teaching Method That Creates Smarter Practicers
16 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I remember my teacher saying to me quite early on in my studies, that her job was not to tell me what to do, but to teach me how to teach myself.I thi...
The Subtle Habit That Might Be Undermining Your Confidence
09 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You know how people say that little kids don’t have a filter? How they just blurt out whatever thoughts pop into their minds?Well, the voice in our ...
Learn More Effectively with This Lesser-Known Mindset Shift
02 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For most of my life, even through college and grad school, regular ol' repetition was probably my most-utilized learning strategy whether I was s...
Are You the “Good” or “Bad” Kind of Procrastinator?
26 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We all procrastinate on things from time to time. And sometimes we pay the price for doing things at the last minute. But then there are times when it...
Why Practicing for Consistency May Be Less Effective Than You’d Think
18 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is sponsored by Musician's Maintenance - safe, simple, maintenance exercises that specifically address the muscle groups that matter...
Are Great Sight-Readers Born or Made?
12 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the age-old debate about nature vs. nurture, I know the correct answer for most things is that it's a blend of both.But sight-reading, at leas...
Michael Bridge: On Cultivating Expressive (vs Impressive) Virtuosity
05 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is sponsored by Musician's Maintenance - safe, simple, maintenance exercises that specifically address the muscle groups that matter...
How Much of an Effect Does Hydration Have on Practice & Performance?
28 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone seems to be pretty good about staying hydrated nowadays with the popularity of reusable water bottles and a growing number of public water re...
Feel Like You’re Getting Worse? Here’s Why That May Not Just Be Your Imagination.
21 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is sponsored by Musician's Maintenance - safe, simple, maintenance exercises that specifically address the muscle groups that matter...
An Unconventional Way to Enhance Your Focus in the Practice Room
14 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As you might imagine, there are a ton of research papers out there.Some are exceedingly useful. Others are interesting, but of questionable usefulness...
Frank Almond: On Work, Fun, and the Importance of Both in Dealing with Adversity
07 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is sponsored by Musician's Maintenance - safe, simple, maintenance exercises that specifically address the muscle groups that matter...
How the Wrong Kind of Praise Could Increase a Student’s Feelings of Shame
31 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's our children, our students, or our pets, I think it's pretty natural and automatic to want to offer praise for a job well done....
Can We Learn Faster by Thinking Less?
24 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is sponsored by Musician's Maintenance - safe, simple, maintenance exercises that specifically address the muscle groups that matter...
To Play More Accurately, Change Your Focus?
17 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to improving technical aspects of your playing, it's easy to assume that this is mostly a physical issue. Where the solution is to ...
Why Good Ensemble Playing May Require More Than Just Your Ears
10 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is sponsored by Musician's Maintenance - safe, simple, maintenance exercises that specifically address the muscle groups that matter...
A Gentle Way to Help Kids (or Adults) Build Performance Confidence?
03 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For many toddlers, performing seems to come naturally and easily, whether it's an impromptu dance performance in the living room or comedy routin...
A Simple Strategy for Reducing Worries and Practicing With More Focus
25 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever find yourself being distracted in the practice room by random thoughts and worries?Like worrying about all the other music that you need to learn...