The Bulletproof Musician

Research suggests that not all practice strategies are equally effective. So between blocked, random, and win-shift/lose-stay practice, which one is best? And just what do these strategies look like anyway?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 stage. Learning Lab: A continuing education community where musicians and learners are putting research into practice. Live and self-paced courses

A recent study suggests that there is a simple self-talk hack that could make it even more effective in enhancing performance. A Way to Amplify (or Weaken) the Effect of Self-Talk on PerformanceMore 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 stage. Learning Lab: A continuing education community where musicians and learners are putting research into practice. Live and self-paced courses

In this interview originally recorded over Skype and telephone back in 2012, renowned pianist Menahem Pressler speaks about the importance of finding your own voice, and shares many profound insights about the pursuit of a career in music, and what he has found most rewarding about his own journey. Menahem Pressler: On Following Your HeartMore 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 stage. Learning Lab: A continuing education community where musicians and learners are putting research into practice. Live and self-paced courses

We often hear that positive thinking, and envisioning the future we want is an important step in getting there - but research suggests that the best performers include another key ingredient that is an essential part of the equation. A Goal-Setting Tweak That Could Be the Difference Between an OK Performance and a Great Performance?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 stage. Learning Lab: A continuing education community where musicians and learners are putting research into practice. Live and self-paced courses

Struggling to nail a tricky shift or hit a difficult high note? Believe it or not, research suggests that instead of trying to do everything right, it might be worth trying to do everything wrong first. How Exaggerating Technical Errors Could Improve Your TechniqueMore 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 stage. Learning Lab: A continuing education community where musicians and learners are putting research into practice. Live and self-paced courses

Is banning phones and laptops in class a good idea - or totally unnecessary? A new study provides answers, but it's a little more nuanced than you might think. Should Phones and Laptops Be Banned in the Classroom? Or Is This Just Much Ado about Nothing?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 stage. Learning Lab: A continuing education community where musicians and learners are putting research into practice. Live and self-paced courses

Cellist-turned-entrepreneur Margo Drakos shares some of the key strategies that have been instrumental to her success both in music (Oregon, San Diego, Seattle, Pittsburgh symphonies & American String Quartet) and in the business world (InstantEncore, ArtistYear). Margo Drakos: On Creating a Safety Net and Taking a Chance on YourselfMore 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 stage. Learning Lab: A continuing education community where musicians and learners are putting research into practice. Live and self-paced courses

A study suggests that we can learn more effectively and build more confidence by learning more about the wrong ways to perform a skill, instead of only learning the correct way to execute a skill. Why Learning the Wrong Way to Play Could Enhance Performance (and Confidence Too)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 stage. Learning Lab: A continuing education community where musicians and learners are putting research into practice. Live and self-paced courses

Rivalries are often thought of as being really competitive, and sometimes unhealthy, but are there situations in which they could be a good thing? The Potential Upside of Having a "Rival"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 stage. Learning Lab: A continuing education community where musicians and learners are putting research into practice. Live and self-paced courses

When you have too much time to wait backstage, it can be easy for your thoughts and emotions to spiral out to the bad place. Learn the specific strategies that athletes use to regulate their emotions and keep their cool. How to Keep Your Cool Backstage Before Auditions and PerformancesMore 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 stage. Learning Lab: A continuing education community where musicians and learners are putting research into practice. Live and self-paced courses