The Mind Over Finger Podcast

I'm very excited to welcome Dr. Frank Diaz to the show this week to cover a topic that is at the core of everything Mind Over Finger is: mindfulness. In our conversation, Frank elaborates on: How he defines what mindfulness is Mindfulness techniques that can be helpful for musicians The sequence he likes to use when he teaches mindfulness Performance-related trauma How we owe it to ourselves to ta...

089 Leon Bosch: Musical Ambassador In this episode, I'm so happy to bring you an exceptional person and artist, and one of my favorite musicians, internationally renowned classical double bass virtuoso Leon Bosch. We covered a wide variety of topics, including: How his artistic journey has unfolded until now Some of the fundamental principles he applied along the way How he is mission driven to be...

088 Efficient Practice Planning with Dr. Renée-Paule Gauthier This winter, I'm bringing you a series of four episodes about building your amazing practice. In this series, I'll be covering many of the components that I think are essential in having a great productive practice session.  At least, for me! I'll be talking about planning and scheduling, priming for an efficient practice, building a gr...

088 Efficient Practice Planning with Dr. Renée-Paule Gauthier This winter, I'm bringing you a series of four episodes about building your amazing practice. In this series, I'll be covering many of the components that I think are essential in having a great productive practice session.  At least, for me! I'll be talking about planning and scheduling, priming for an efficient practice, building a gr...

In this episode, Dr. Kimberly Hankins, discusses the multiple benefits of breathwork.  She elaborates on: How she came to discover yoga and breathwork and how it helped her discover her own voice How the breath is central to all systems in the body and to how we interact with the world How Breathwork affects the nervous system Why the goal is not always to be calm: the goal is to react to stress i...

Whether you want to rock the stage for your next performance, win an audition, land your dream job, transform your teaching studio, or start a new music business: IT'S POSSIBLE! And this episode will help you set things up for your massive success! You will walk away with: A renewed vision for the future Clear goals and specific strategies to implement and create an incredible musical reality for...

In this episode, I speak with world-class pianist and composer Kenny Werner who's prolific output of compositions, recordings and publications continue to impact audiences around the world, and author of the impactful book, Effortless Mastery, Liberating the Master Musician Within .  In our conversation, Kenny expands on: His incredible journey, leading to the exploration of effortless mastery How...

In this episode, I share with you the conversation I had with Angela Ezeonyeka and Andrew Coleman on their show - The Musician's Toolbox Podcast. With the Musician's Toolbox Podcast, Andrew and Angela aim to equip musicians with the information, inspiration, and imagination to pursue and achieve a career in music.  And they do this by interviewing professionals in the industry and exposing listene...

Emotional Freedom Technique specialist and coach Jenny Clift talks to us about this powerful modality and how it can help musicians become more productive and handle emotions in an effective way. Tapping information and resources: https://abetterlifetapping.com/eft-tapping/    MORE ABOUT JENNY CLIFT: Website: https://abetterlifetapping.com/ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMK-XV7...

I'm very excited to have world-renowned violinist Leila Josefowicz on the show for you today! As you'll hear in our discussion, Leila is a profoundly passionate and dedicated musician who approaches her craft with great depth and she shares incredible wisdom with us. Among many things, Leila elaborates on: The power of memorization What the "practice of violin playing" means to her How exploring n...

Today I'm bringing you a conversation previously aired on the Violin Podcast, hosted by Eric Mrugala.  On the Violin Podcast Eric interviews violinists worldwide on a bi-weekly basis discussing violin news, practice tips, career advice, and their journey with the violin. Now, this was for the Violin Podcast, but it's valuable information for all musicians, regardless of the instrument. Eric and I...

For this episode, I bring you a powerful conversation with world-renowned Alexander Technique teacher Lori Schiff. As Lori shares on her website, the Alexander Technique "is a method for living better through your own mindfulness in action."  It can help you gain confidence and reduce pain, tension and fatigue. It allows you to connect with yourself to nourish presence and mobility and, from there...

In this inspiring and motivating conversation, National Symphony double bass player Ira Gold shares his wisdom on practicing and on leading a meaningful musical life. Ira expands on: How the things he does are reflections of his passions How serving the community and those who are following the artistic path has become vital part of his career How his career grew out of him making the conscious de...

In this episode I share with you the conversation I had with Trevor Jones on his Podcast, the Scholarship Roadmap!  We cover a lot of ground in this 40-minute conversation including: The importance finding the right teachers for your education. Developing an efficient practicing system and excellent awareness Why practicing slowly isn't enough A mini Music Mastery Experience lesson Comfort and eff...

In this episode I'm talking health and wellness with David Cartolano, Host of the Conditioned Musician podcast!  David is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist and has a bachelor's degree in exercise science and he's on a mission to build stronger, more resilient, and more creative musicians. We cover the things that musicians can do to be healthier, practice better, perform more optimally, and,...

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking about all things mindful practice with international cello soloist Alisa Weilerstein. Alisa has attracted widespread attention for her playing that combines natural virtuosity and technical precision with impassioned musicianship.  In this episode, Alisa shares insight on: How her parents nurtured a natural unfolding and healthy progression of...

Today is a special episode:  I'm bringing you a conversation I had on another podcast, the awesome Conditioned Musician Podcast hosted by the equally awesome David Cartolano!   David is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist and has a bachelor's degree in exercise science, and he's on a mission to build stronger, more resilient, and more creative musicians. Among many things, David and I talk abo...

Melissa White  and  Elena Urioste  — violinists, yoginis, and dear friends run  Intermission , a ground-breaking program that unites body, mind, breath, and music-making through yoga and meditation.    MORE ABOUT MELISSA WHITE AND ELENA URIOSTE FROM INTERMISSION: Website: https://www.intermissionsessions.com/ Intermission App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/intermission-app/id1464473222 Facebook: h...

Performance Reboot – A 3-Part Motivation-Reset Workshop for Musicians Rediscover your passion + jumpstart your process – so you're ahead of the pack when concerts come back Stage Ready…  Set… GO!   Workshop prompts and reflections: www.mindoverfinger.com/resources   And for the best practicing and performing season of your life, Dr. Gauthier invites you to join: THE MUSIC MASTERY EXPERIENCE A TRAN...

Everything you need to infuse your practice with more mindfulness, joy, and efficiency! Challenge prompts and transcript: www.mindoverfinger.com/resources   And for the best practicing summer of your life:   Dr. Renée-Paule Gauthier invites you to join : THE MUSIC MASTERY EXPERIENCE A TRANSFORMATIONAL JOURNEY TO LOVING THE PRACTICE ROOM, ROCKING THE STAGE, WINNING THE JOB, AND TAKING YOUR CAREER T...

Everything you need to get you in the cycle of motivation! And for the best practicing summer of your life:   Dr. Renée-Paule Gauthier invites you to join : THE MUSIC MASTERY EXPERIENCE A TRANSFORMATIONAL JOURNEY TO LOVING THE PRACTICE ROOM, ROCKING THE STAGE, WINNING THE JOB, AND TAKING YOUR CAREER TO NEW HEIGHTS A 3-month experience for all musicians, starting June 1st, 2020 BOOK A CALL AND LET'...

It's hard to believe it, but we've reached the end of Season 2 of The Mind Over Finger Podcast!!!  To celebrate, I have a great treat for you.  I'm speaking with one of the most acclaimed and frequently performed composers working today: Jennifer Higdon! It was an incredible honor to have the chance to sit with Jennifer and to soak up her wisdom and this wonderful energy that she's got!  Among man...

In this very special episode, I'm speaking with violinist and pedagogue Simon Fischer, who is recognized world-wide as a performer, educator and recording artist, and who's published work greatly influences the teaching of the violin. In this conversation Simon talks to us in details about the fundamentals of high quality practice and performance preparation, and shares incredible wisdom on variou...

This week, I'm speaking with fabulous double bass player, Lauren Pierce! Known for her hugely popular YouTube channel, which features her virtuosic performances and has more than 13 thousand followers and 1.3 million views, Lauren is a highly regarded soloist, musical innovator, and educator. As you'll hear in our conversation, Lauren is an amazingly thoughtful musician, who has put a great amount...

In this episode, famed violinist Lara St. John discusses several aspects of practicing and performance preparation, including the importance of working on the fundamentals, fostering curiosity and creativity in our work, developing our listening skills, and practicing performing.  Lara also expands on: How she learned to "speak" violin How curiosity and listening skills are at the core of developi...