Pre-Performance Apathy (and the Importance of Mentally Disengaging From Practice)

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May 18, 2025

Musicians often feel overwhelmed by the pressure to practice relentlessly. A famous quote suggests that skipping practice impacts performance, but taking breaks might be key to overcoming burnout. The discussion dives into how mental fatigue affects creativity and performance, urging artists to prioritize their mental health. Strategies for joy in practice and effective preparation for performances are also explored, making a compelling case for a balanced approach to honing one’s craft.

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ANECDOTE

Burnout From Over-Practicing

Noah Kageyama shares how he over-practiced for a competition and became emotionally and physically exhausted.
Despite advancing, he felt overwhelm and apathy, a common feeling musicians experience before big events.

INSIGHT

Exhaustion Feeds Itself

Exhaustion worsens by making it harder to disconnect from work concerns, creating a vicious cycle of worry and fatigue.
Trying to catch up by working longer can reduce rest, decreasing productivity the next day.

INSIGHT

Time Pressure Hampers Detachment

Time pressure makes detaching from work even harder when already exhausted.
Near big events, musicians tend to worry and obsess even when not practicing.

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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 critics know it; three days, the public knows it.

So does that mean that we can't afford to take any days off, if we're truly serious about our craft? And what does it mean if we start to feel burned out and stale?

Well...it could be my imagination, but I swear I once saw a video in which Heifetz said that he always took one day off from practicing a week. And I've heard a number of well-known musicians encourage students to take a day, or at least 24 hours off every week.

So maybe it doesn't have to be "all gas, no brakes?"

Get all the nerdy details here:

Pre-Performance Apathy (and the Importance of Mentally Disengaging From Practice)

* * *
Have you been feeling a little stuck or stagnant in the practice room? Or has performance anxiety and the gap between practice and performance been a nagging issue that hasn’t changed, no matter how well you've prepared for performances, auditions - and even lessons?

If you’ve been wanting to experience more joy in the practice room and play more like yourself on stage, but haven’t been quite sure how to make that happen, starting July 22, 2025, I’ll be teaching a live, online, accelerated 2-week class on the most essential mental skills and practice strategies that can make a difference in your practicing and performing.

We’ll meet twice a week via Zoom and work on a series of exercises and techniques in four essential skill areas (effective practice, managing anxiety, focus, and confidence), together as a group. And to make sure the concepts become consistent habits, I'll show you how to gently integrate these new skills into your (or your students’) daily practice through bite-sized practice challenges alongside a supportive group of practice buddies from around the world.

Over 2000 musicians, educators, and students and learners of all ages have participated in the course to date. You can find out what alumni are saying, and sign up to join Cohort 24 at:

bulletproofmusician.com/essentials