The Bulletproof Musician

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 Gebrian shares some insights on the science of memory, and describes simple, straightforward, musician-friendly strategies that you can use to make sure that future performances are a more positive (and less a...

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 of enhancing concentration and focus. For the 45-min video demonstration on specific stretches and exercises recommended for musicians, go to: Nicole Newman: On Using Yoga to Develop Sustained Focused Atte...

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 share some simple, and immediately actionable strategies and techniques that will help you feel more comfortable and increase your confidence in your ability to be effective when teaching online. Tim Topham: O...

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 information while we sleep - with "odor cues." Wait...what?! Targeted Memory Reactivation: A Hack to Improve Learning During Sleep? More from The Bulletproof Musician Get the free weekly newsletter ,...

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. Lynne Aspnes: On Breathing, Singing, and the Value of Cultivating a Diverse Range of Musical Influences More from The Bulletproof Musician Get the free weekly newsletter , for more nerdy details and bonus subscri...

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? What Does Science Say About the Notion That We Don't Utilize Our Full Potential? More from The Bulletproof Musician Get the free weekly newsletter , for more nerdy details and bonus subscriber-only content. Pressure Proof : A free 7...

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? Fact or Myth: Does Thinking “Don’t Miss” Really Make Us More Likely to Mess Up? More from The Bulletproof Musician Get the free weekly newsletter , for more nerdy details and bonus subscriber-only content. Pressure Proof : A free 7-day pe...

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 are a few ways to make sure that doesn't happen. How to Get Better at Detecting Errors - Especially If They’re Hiding in Plain Sight More from The Bulletproof Musician Get the free weekly newsletter ,...

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 back on track, from those that struggle and get sucked into the downward spiral of doom? Research suggests that it might have something to do with the type of perfectionist you are. The Mindsets That Make It...

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 one's body through Body Mapping can help musicians not only avoid pain and injury, but play with more freedom and ease as well. More from The Bulletproof Musician Get the free weekly newslette...

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 beyond practice without video? Is Videotaping Yourself Worth the Time and Trouble? And If Yes, How So? (Part 2 of 2) More from The Bulletproof Musician Get the free weekly newsletter , for more nerdy detail...

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? Is Videotaping Yourself Worth the Time and Trouble? And If Yes, How So? (Part 1 of 2) More from The Bulletproof Musician Get the free weekly newsletter , for more nerdy details and bonus subscriber-only content. Pressure Pro...

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 reason for why that could be... Mental Practice Not Working for You? This Might Be the Reason Why… More from The Bulletproof Musician Get the free weekly newsletter , for more nerdy details and bonus sub...

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 mental game and the uncertainty of reeds as well. Nathan Hughes: On Being Honest in the Practice Room, and Learning How to Balance Being Analytical and Being Expressive More from The Bulletproof Musician Get th...

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? Structured Vs. Free Practice: Why You Probably Shouldn’t Just Be “Winging It” in the Practice Room More from The Bulletproof Musician Get the free weekly newsletter , for more nerdy details and bonus sub...

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 other negative emotions. Does that just come with the territory and make us stronger, or do such emotions impair our ability to learn? How Do Fear, Anxiety, and Other Negative Emotions Affect the Learnin...

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 potentially meaningful musical benefits as well? Musical Charades: Should This Be Part of Your Regular Practice Routine? More from The Bulletproof Musician Get the free weekly newsletter , for more nerdy detail...

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. Erik Ralske: On Developing a Stronger Internal Pulse, and the Paradoxical Benefits of Giving Yourself Permission to Miss Notes More from The Bulletproof Musician Get the free weekly newsletter ,...

It's often said that it takes 21 days to form a new habit. But is this actually true? How Long Does It REALLY Take to Form a New Habit? More from The Bulletproof Musician Get the free weekly newsletter , for more nerdy details and bonus subscriber-only content. Pressure Proof : A free 7-day performance practice crash course that will help you shrink the gap between the practice room and the s...

Nowadays, camera phones are everywhere. And we seem to photograph everything. But what effect does this have on our enjoyment of these experiences? Phonetography: Does This Enhance or Diminish Our Enjoyment of an Experience? More from The Bulletproof Musician Get the free weekly newsletter , for more nerdy details and bonus subscriber-only content. Pressure Proof : A free 7-day performance practic...

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 naturally tend to gravitate towards less-effective practice strategies? The Misinterpreted-Effort Hypothesis, and Why We Often Practice Less Effectively than We Could More from The Bulletproof Musician G...

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 discover his unique musical identity, and what he continues to do today - both in and out of the practice room - that helps him continue to make his way down this path. Mike Block: On Discovering Your Mus...

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? Why Highly “Representative” Practice Is so Important (Except When It Isn’t) More from The Bulletproof Musician Get the free weekly newsletter , for more nerdy details and bonus subscriber-only conte...

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 language you use when requesting feedback can elicit much more helpful and useful comments. Change This One Word to Get More Useful Feedback From Peers and Colleagues More from The Bulletproof Mus...

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 middle-school-aged students can learn to do, and sustain as a habit? Can Young Students Be Taught to Engage in Deliberate Practice Too? More from The Bulletproof Musician Get the free weekly newslette...