The Bulletproof Musician
Episodes
Why the Wrong Kind of Praise Could Heighten a Student's Fear of Failure
18 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When I praise the family dog for doing a good thing, I'm not sure if it matters what words I say to him. He seems equally excited and happily wag...
Do You Have a Bias Against Creative Students (Without Realizing It)?
11 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I think we would all say that we value creativity and would enjoy having more creative students. But is this actually reflected in our actions?Researc...
Steven Tenenbom: On Rhythm, Phrasing, and the Life Within Each Note
04 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You know that famous quote attributed to Debussy? The one that goes something like "Music is the space between the notes."?I don't know...
Can Good Luck Charms and Superstitious Rituals Enhance Performance?
21 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The legendary Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti famously had a quirky backstage ritual that he needed to complete before he could go on stage.Apparently...
A Simple Technique to Prevent Choking (Which Sounds Like it Couldn’t Possibly Work)
14 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The other day, I had to parallel park in a crowded neighborhood with narrow streets. I’m usually pretty good about getting it right the first time, ...
WOOP: A Better Way to Set Goals?
07 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the previous episode we looked at at study which suggested that having goals is good - but we’re more likely to achieve our goals if we write the...
How Important Is It to Write Down Your Goals?
31 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
'Tis the season for New Year resolutions. Which means your inbox and news feeds are probably overflowing with articles about effective goal-setti...
How Important Is “Perfect Practice” When Learning Something New?
24 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's not great to make mistakes on stage, but how big a deal are mistakes when you're learning something new?Is it best to avoid them right ...
Why It's Important to Identify (and Use) Your "Signature Strengths"
17 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In last week's episode with clarinetist Jason Shafer, we chatted about the value of focusing on our strengths when performing - and not just our ...
Jason Shafer: On Healthier Practicing & Strengths-Based Performing
10 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is it possible to truly rid yourself of performance anxiety? Is practicing less as you get closer to a performance really better? How do you get past ...
A Mindset Shift That Can Help You Respond to Setbacks With Even Better Performances
03 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When you put a lot of time and energy into preparing for something that’s important to you, and things don’t go the way you hoped, it’s pretty n...
Reduce Burnout With a Simple Three-Step Exercise
26 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The winter holidays are just around the corner, which means family, festivities, food, and lots of good things. But it also means end-of-semester proj...
The Best Way to Breathe for Reducing Stress?
19 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In last week's episode, we looked at a study which tested a particular sound for its ability to decrease our anxiety. (Which you can revisit here...
The Best Thing to Listen to Backstage for Reducing Anxiety?
12 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Managing pre-performance nerves on the day of a performance or audition can be a real challenge. And it can get even more difficult backstage as the m...
Benjamin Kamins: On Self-Judgment, Slow Practice, and Reed-Making
05 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In an ideal world, we’d be building confidence in the practice room from one day to the next, but sometimes that can be easier said than done. It’...
Why Lowering Standards Can Sometimes Promote Better Learning
29 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In many areas of our life (surgery, aviation, and dealing with bedbugs are a few things that come to mind), I think it’s fair to say that having rea...
“Brain Fatigue” and the Best Thing to Do on Practice Breaks
22 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Other than putting our instruments down, what should we be doing during our practice breaks to mentally recharge our batteries and prepare ourselves b...
Why Reflection Should Be Part of Your Daily Practice Routine
15 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
3-time Olympic diving coach Jeff Huber once said that he would get really excited when one of his athletes would approach him and say "Hey coach,...
How to Practice for More Consistent Performances
08 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wished audiences (or your teacher) could hear the awesome private version of yourself that you hear in the practice room, instead of the...
Christine Carter & Ellen Hendriksen: On the Perils of “Perfect Practice”
01 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re reading this, I’m guessing that you have pretty high standards of performance in at least one area of your life. I mean, you probably wo...
Are Today’s Musicians More “Clone-Like?"
24 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A few weeks ago, violinist Nigel Kennedy was quoted as saying that today's young musicians are more "clone-like," noting that while so ...
Why Practicing Too Much Could Actually Increase Errors
17 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I often get questions about specific topics or issues that haven't already been covered in a podcast episode. Today's episode is devoted t...
How Consistent Do Pre-Performance Routines Need to Be?
10 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you've watched any sports - especially golf, basketball, and tennis - you've probably noticed that many athletes have a pre-shot, pre-fre...
The Surprising Truth about Learning Styles
03 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
At some point or another, you've probably come across learning styles theory. Which suggests that some of us are visual learners, others are audi...
Difficulty Staying Focused While Practicing? Why “Airplane Mode” May Not Be Enough
20 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You know those moments when you're practicing, and suddenly wonder what time the 49ers game is tonight? Or if so-and-so returned your email? Or i...
A Hack to Boost Your Practice Efficiency
13 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You know how some practice sessions can feel really good? Where it seems like you're making lots of improvement? But then the next day, things do...
On Building an Audience in 2023: Ken Kubota & Morgan Davison
06 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
About a month ago, we heard from violinist Sumina Studer and violist Drew Forde (click here if you missed it), who shared tips and insights on how the...
When Is the Best Time to Start Memorizing a New Piece?
30 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Like many other young kids, I never really thought twice about memorizing music. In the course of working on a piece, it usually just happened.Of cour...
The "Lazy" Person’s Guide to Mastering Self-Control
23 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's sticking to a regular practice routine, studying a little bit every day instead of cramming the night before an exam, or eating more...
Two Things Experts Do Differently When Practicing
16 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's changing your diet, investing your money, or practicing, it can sometimes be difficult to tell if you're doing it "right&q...
On Building an Audience in 2023: Sumina Studer & Drew Forde
09 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
So…everyone (and their dog 😅) seems to have a social media presence nowadays - whether on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, etc. But how impor...
How to Make Practicing Feel Less Like a Chore
02 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Effective practice isn't always easy or fun. But a 2010 study reveals a psychological hack that could make longer and more challenging practice s...
Self-Compassion: Does It Help or Hurt Performance?
25 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever notice how critical the voice in your head can be? That voice can make us feel pretty crummy at times - but is it also responsible for pushing us...
Why Singing Could Enhance Your Daily Practice
18 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever studied with a teacher who encouraged you to sing during your practice?There are lots of reasons for this, but aside from doing it in a ...
For More Effective Practice, Try…Longer…Pauses
11 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When you to students practicing, there's one thing that is often conspicuously absent.Silence.You'll typically hear a good bit of repetition...
George Waddell: On the Hidden Consequences of Music Competitions
04 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve all probably (at least secretly) enjoyed watching shows like American Idol or The Voice at one point or another.But what has your experience (...
How to Make Mental Practice Even More Effective
28 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's running through a piece in your head to see if it's memorized, or imagining different fingering options while taking a practice...
The Superiority of Intentionally Imperfect Practice?
21 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's manipulating our air, making embouchure adjustments, or learning to use the weight of our arm to produce a beautiful sound, we spend...
Menahem Pressler: On Following Your Heart
14 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever watched your favorite musician perform, and wondered what goes through their head on stage?Like, what are they thinking about? Do they e...
How to Find the Perfect Strings for You and Your Instrument
07 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you play a string instrument, you know that the strings you use can make a big difference in how your instrument sounds and feels. But how can you ...
How to Learn Better From Failures (And Successes Too)
30 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's often said that failure is the best teacher. Or at least, that failure is a better teacher than success.But how exactly are we supposed to l...
“Productive Failure”: Why Early Floundering Leads to Better Learning
23 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Intuitively, I think we approach teaching with the goal of helping students avoid failure. So it's natural to step in if we see students flounder...
Why Improvisation Should Be Part of Every Young Musician's Training
16 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Improvisation has not traditionally been part of most young classical musicians' training. But should it be?Research suggests that the answer may...
Two Ways to Simulate Performance Pressure (and Which Works Best)
09 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We know it can be really helpful to do practice performances or mock auditions in advance of a high-pressure performance. However, it can be really di...
Aaron Williamon: On Becoming a Better, Happier, and Healthier Musician
02 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve been a listener of this podcast for any period of time, you’ve probably already been influenced by today’s guest without realizing it ...
How Intentional Errors Could Accelerate Learning
26 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We spend a lot of time and energy avoiding mistakes in the practice room and on stage. And we work super hard to make sure our students avoid doing th...
How to Stay in a More Positive Headspace Before Performances
19 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever notice how it's easy to be optimistic about an audition or performance a month or two out, but things feel much different when the big day i...
Get Unstuck in the Practice Room With a “Creative Pause”
11 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you ever watched the show Friends, you might remember the episode where Phoebe stayed on hold for two days with her phone company, because every ti...
Hans Jørgen Jensen: On Practicing With the Mind, Not Just the Fingers
05 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A few weeks ago, my dog herniated a disk. He could barely sit, let alone walk and squat to do his business.The vet gave him some drugs (apparently dog...
How to Give Students Critical Feedback Without Crushing Their Confidence
26 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Praising a student is easy. Giving critical feedback can be much tougher.I mean, how can we call their attention to the things that don't sound g...
How to Minimize Intrusive Thoughts When You’re Practicing
19 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever had one of those moments in the practice room, where you suddenly notice that physically, you've been going through the motions for...
Boost Learning and Performance With Naps, Not Coffee!
12 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I actually never got into coffee myself. Not for any health or philosophical reason, but because I'm not a fan of hot liquids in general (is that...
Robert Duke: On the Value of Errors, and How Learning Really Works
05 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's often said that "perfect practice makes perfect," but what does "perfect practice" actually look like? Does it mean what...
19 Things That Great Teachers Do
29 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder what it is that makes great teachers great? Like, are there any commonalities in the pedagogical approaches of renowned teachers?A 2006 an...
How the ‘Gift’ Reframe Could Enhance Performance
22 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever had someone suggest that you "think of your performance as a gift that you are sharing with the audience" as a way to help you...
How to Nail Shifts and Big Leaps More Consistently
15 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever find yourself struggling to get a tricky shift or big leap in tune consistently?There are lots of helpful ways to practice and problem-solve such...
How to Keep Anxiety From Spiraling, on Stage and Off
08 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As a kid, I had a habit of scanning the audience to see if I could catch a glimpse of my mom's reactions to my performance.Generally, she'd ...
The Best Type of Goals for More Success in the Year Ahead
01 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you've ever wondered why New Year's resolutions have a way of falling by the wayside so quickly, today's episode might provide some ...
A Clever Practice Hack to Make Practicing More Enjoyable
25 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to practicing (or exercising or studying, etc.), there are a lot of times when we want to do the right thing...but we don't feel li...
The Problem With Intense Laser-Like Focus in the Practice Room
18 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We tend to think of laser-like focus as a good thing - but sometimes this can lead to getting stuck obsessing about a particular section of music and ...
Why a Little Self-Doubt Before Performing Could Be a Good Thing
11 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Self-doubt is something that plagues us all from time to time. Whether it’s a rough semester in school, a trying week with a difficult conductor, or...
Jennifer Montone: On the Unspoken Mental and Emotional Aspects of Being a Musician
04 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jennifer Montone is Principal Horn of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and teaches at teaches at the Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School. Je...
Why Telling Yourself to “Calm Down” Backstage May Be Counterproductive
27 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Most people intuitively assume that the best way to address performance anxiety is to calm down, but research suggests that this may actually result i...
Why Trying to "Think Positive" All the Time Could Make You Feel Worse
13 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We are often encouraged to maintain a positive mental attitude. And there are tons of books and blog posts devoted to explaining how important this is...
Kim Laskowski: On Developing a Beautiful Expressive Sound and Teaching Yourself How to Learn
06 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Kim Laskowski has been the associate principal bassoonist of the NY Philharmonic since 2003, winning her position at age 48 - without a prior symphoni...
How Important is Listening to Recordings, Really?
30 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You've probably had teachers who encouraged you to listen to recordings, and one of the Suzuki method's core elements is the importance of l...
The Practice Strategy That Could “Bulletproof” Your Memory Under PressureThe Practice Strategy That Could “Bulletproof” Your Memory Under Pressure
23 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Stress and nerves have a tendency to disrupt our memory, but a 2016 study suggests that this isn't inevitable. And that if we integrate a particu...
A Better Way to Do Mental Practice
16 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Most musicians (and athletes) have heard of mental practice, and have probably been encouraged to do it. But have you ever been taught *how* to do men...
The Problem With Time and Repetition-Based Practice Goals (And What to Do Instead)
09 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As common as it is to create practice goals centered around time or repetition (e.g. practice scales for 10 minutes every day), a 2012 study suggests ...
When is the Optimal Time to Start Doing Performance Practice?
02 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We all know how valuable practice performances and mock auditions can be - but I think it's probably human nature to wait until everything is &qu...
What Is More Effective for Learning - Praise or Criticism?
25 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder what role praise and criticism plays in learning? Like, is there an optimal ratio of positive to negative that seems to work best?A 1976 a...
Is It Possible to Increase Your “Immunity” to Nerves? The Research Suggests Yes - And Here’s How to Do It.
18 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wish there were a way to be less affected by nerves under pressure. Like, if there could be a flu shot equivalent for nerves to help "inocul...
Wish You Could Memorize Better? Why a Little Bit of "Verbalization" Might Be the Missing Ingredient.
11 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Fear of memory slips is a common issue for many musicians. But I don't know that many of us have ever been taught specifically how to memorize ei...
David Juncos & Elvire de Paiva e Pona: On ACT and a New Approach to Overcoming Performance Anxiety
04 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Eliminating nerves, or staying positive and turning your inner critic into an optimist can be difficult, frustrating, and exhausting.But what if we di...
Optimizing Practice: 2 Things That the Best Performers Do & 1 Thing That the Best “Improvers” Do
28 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There are quite a few studies that have looked at the practice habits of top performers, but there are few that have looked at the practice habits of ...
Why Ear Training Might Matter More Than You Think
21 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder why ear training is such an emphasis in the standard music curriculum? How important is it that we be good at it? What does it actually he...
Two Helpful Things to Think About on Stage, Right Before You Start Playing
14 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Turns out what we think about right before we start playing can have a significant effect on how well we perform! So if your brain tends to suddenly i...
If You Have Difficulty Staying Focused While Practicing, Could Clutter Be a Factor?
07 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Could clutter be affecting your ability to focus in the practice room? Research suggests that it could - and potentially affecting your learning as we...
Memory Reconsolidation: A Way to Dump Your Negative Audition and Performance Baggage?
31 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever find yourself reacting negatively to certain pieces or orchestral excerpts, not because you can't play it, but because there's still so...
Three Ways to Teach Students How to Play More Expressively (Is There a “Best” Way?)
24 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever find yourself struggling to help a student play more expressively. With so many different approaches to choose from - e.g. imagery/metaphors to i...
How Making Mistakes Can Accelerate Learning
17 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever worry that the mistakes you inadvertently make in the practice room could come back to bite you in the butt in performance?Turns out you may not ...
The Two Most Efficient (and Two Least Efficient) Memorization Strategies
10 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I think we've all wondered what the most effective strategies for memorization might be. But have you ever wondered what the most efficient strat...
Brian Alegant: On the Difference Between MUSIC Theory and Music THEORY
03 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Did you enjoy music theory in school? Or did it just make your head hurt and wish you could be almost anywhere else instead?If you were never especial...
Why Your Playing (or Singing) Tends to Become Less Musically Expressive on Stage
26 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder why your playing or singing (or that of your students) tends to be less expressive under pressure? A 2015 study provides some clues on wha...
Do the Best Performers Also Provide the Best Advice?
19 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Whether in music, sports, fitness, or in business, there’s often a tendency for us to assume that the best performers in any domain have the most va...
Why Thinking Out Loud Could Help You Become a More Efficient Practicer
12 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever find yourself getting sucked into mindless repetitions, despite your best intentions to practice more thoughtfully and efficiently? Research sugg...
Peter Keller: On Becoming More Skilled Ensemble Musicians with Insights from Cognitive Science
05 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder what it is that makes for great ensemble "chemistry"? Like, what are the underlying skills that make some musicians especially e...
An “Awkward” Way to Increase Motivation and Make More Progress Towards Your Goals
29 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever find yourself wishing you could get better at something, but getting stuck somewhere along the way? And facing a lot of internal resistance to do...
How to Clear Your Mind of Worries Before a Big Performance (revisited)
22 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever notice how mean and distracting (and unhelpful) your inner critic can be on stage? Previous research has found that writing out our worries right...
Evidence That Performing From Memory May Be More Challenging for Pianists Than Others (What?!)
15 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Anecdotally at least, fear of memory slips seems to come up more often for pianists than for some other instruments. Is this because of how many notes...
Do You Struggle With Unreliable Memory on Stage? Perhaps Your Memorization Strategy is Missing This Key ingredient...
08 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Memory slips can be a scary thing and a major cause of anxiety on stage. But it's not a skill that we tend to think of much in our daily practice...
Keith Underwood (Part 2): On Breathing and the Problem With Thinking of Air as the Solution to Everything.
01 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As instinctive and natural a process as breathing is in our moment-to-moment existence, breathing efficiently and effectively so as to produce a beaut...
Keith Underwood (Part 1): On the Art of Imitation, and How to Glean Transformative Insights From Great Musicians to Level Up Your Playing.
24 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Flutist and educator Keith Underwood shares insights on what (and how) we can learn from our favorite musicians so as to level up our playing in some ...
How Mental Imagery Can Help You Become a Better (Or More "Psychic") Chamber Music Partner
17 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You know how some musicians seem to be almost "psychic" in their ability to play together and be totally in sync with one another? Ever wond...
How Does One Learn to Play More Musically?
10 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How much emotion should we be feeling internally for a musically effective performance? Is there such a thing as feeling too much emotion when perform...
Do We Really Sound as Terrible on Stage as We Sometimes Think We Do?
03 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever notice how after performances, your family, friends, and teachers seem to think that the performance went better than you thought it went? Is thi...
"Quiet Eye": A Technique to Enhance Performance When You're Nervous
27 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever notice how nerves can make us feel pressure to rush into the opening of a performance, and start before we feel truly settled and ready? Turns ou...
Prone to Procrastinating? Why the Way You Set Deadlines Could Make Things Worse, Not Better.
20 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to getting things done, do you find it helpful to set deadlines? And if so, do shorter deadlines work better, or longer ones? Research s...
Having a Bad Practice Day? Turn It Into a Good One With This 3-Step Self-Coaching Technique.
12 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We've probably all had teachers who told us that their goal is to help us learn how to teach ourselves. But how do we do that exactly? A 2006 stu...
Adina Mornell: On Learning How to Practice in Such a Way That Performing Can Be Something We Enjoy, Rather Than Fear
06 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Pianist, educator, and music psychology researcher Adina Mornell shares insights on the four component of stage fright (and what to do about each), an...