Before we get to today's practice tip on optimizing the "post-KR delay," a quick reminder that today is the last day to enroll in the live 2-week Performance Psych Essentials class that begins on Tuesday, June 13th. It's going to be a jam-packed two weeks of practice hacks and performance practice. If that sounds like fun, you can get all the details here: Join Psych Essentials Cohort 13 Longer pauses? Now to this business of the post-KR delay. What's that exactly? Well, if you ever get a...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
I have a couple things today - a new podcast episode on the "dark side" of competitions, plus an announcement. Announcement The announcement is that registration for the summer “bootcamp” edition of the live Performance Psych Essentials class opens today. Instead of the typical 5-week schedule, I've designed an accelerated 2-week version to minimize conflicts with your summer plans. You can get all the details and sign up here: Performance Psych Essentials - Cohort 13 Are competitions good or...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
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 a lot of time working really hard to get things just right. We ask for feedback and suggestions from our teachers, watch YouTube videos of our favorite musicians, and get tips from instructional videos on the correct way to perform a skill. All of which are invaluable parts of the learning process. But there's another approach that we rarely (if...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
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 ever worry? What do they worry about? Is playing as easy as it looks? Or do they have bad days too? Does it ever get easier? How do they deal with criticism or bad reviews or even the critic in their own head? How similar is their experience in performance to ours? As you've probably already heard, renowned pianist Menahem Pressler passed away...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
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 find the combination of strings that makes your instrument sound its best? Which type of core material produces the type of sound you're going for, as well as the best response? What are the benefits of the different kinds of wraps? What gauge or tension makes your instrument speak best? What mix of string brands will result in the most balanced...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
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 learn from failures without getting discouraged? And why does success get such a bad rap as a teacher, anyhow? What if the problem is that we haven't been reflecting on our successes in the right way? A 2014 study provides some clues on how to engage in a systematic post-performance review process that will help you learn better from both successful...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
I think we all instinctively approach teaching with the goal of helping students avoid failure. So it's natural to step in with advice or corrections if we see students floundering about and approaching a problem the "wrong" way. But what if stepping in too soon and taking away the early struggle actually hinders students' learning? We certainly don't want students to get discouraged, of course. But a 2011 study suggests that too much guidance and instruction in the early stages of the...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
I have a couple tips for you today - one for the practice room and the other for the kitchen (what?!). So...you know how there's often a big contrast between the fresh hot pizza that comes right out of the oven and a slice that you've reheated at home? It can be really difficult to make leftover pizza taste as good as it did at the restaurant. But according to the internet, there are methods that can help you get pretty close (i.e. reheat in a pan on stovetop until bottom is crispy, pour a...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
If you’ve been a subscriber to this newsletter for any period of time, you’ve probably already been influenced by today’s guest without realising it - namely, performance science researcher Aaron Williamon. Aaron's research has produced insights in many different facets of a musician's life, from effective practise and performance preparation, to managing nerves, optimising focus, musician health, technology and recording, and even the importance of how we present ourselves visually on stage....
over 1 year ago • 1 min read