The Mind Over Finger Podcast
Discussions on mindful music-making, efficient practice, and building a purposeful career with the performers, pedagogues, and innovators who are shaping the classical music world today! The Mind Over Finger Podcast is a resource for knowledge, insight, tips, tricks, and inspiration for musicians interested in learning more about practicing mindfully, performing optimally, and getting more intentional in creating a fulfilling musical career. We provide you with the tools to mindfully shift your musical practice from unconscious to deliberate, from paint-by-numbers to art by flow, from going through the motions to delightful play!
Episodes
When your heart is racing and your brain starts whispering "don't mess this up," it's easy to think the goal is to shut the thoughts down. But that fight is often the thing that turns normal pre performance activation into full anxiety. In this short episode, I borrow the first rule of improv, "Yes, and," and show you how to use it as a musician. Not to become fearless, but to stay in the music even when doubt is in the room.
When the world feels heavy and your body is bracing, it is weirdly easy to start treating music like it has to justify itself. You practice anyway. You show up anyway. But inside, you are carrying pressure, tension, and that quiet question most musicians do not say out loud: how do I keep doing this without burning out or breaking down?
In this episode, we unpack how unrealistic expectations quietly overload your brain, tighten your body, and slow your progress. And more importantly, how to reset them so they actually work for you.
You'll learn:
• Why high standards are not the problem but misaligned expectations are
• How pressure and perfectionism interfere with learning
• A simple expectation audit you can use before practice or performance
• How to shift from ...
When practicing feels impossible, it's not because you're lazy or undisciplined. In this episode, I walk you through the simple mindset shifts and practical strategies that help you stop pushing and start showing up with more ease, clarity, and self-respect.
You'll learn:
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What does it really take to grow as an artist without burning out?
In this powerful conversation, I'm joined by bestselling author and performance expert Brad Stulberg to explore what excellence actually means, and how we can pursue it in a way that feels deeply fulfilling, not exhausting.
Are you juggling big technique goals and an upcoming performance? Struggling to fix your vibrato while also cramming notes for an audition? You're not alone, and you're not doing it wrong.
In this episode, we unpack why chasing long-term mastery and short-term perfection at the same time can leave you overwhelmed, stuck, and second-guessing everything.
If you've ever had one of those days where you know what you should do, but everything in you wants to procrastinate, avoid, or zone out... this episode is for you.
I'm sharing one of my favorite mindset tools: a simple sentence structure you can use when motivation is low, when self-doubt is loud, or when you just feel stuck. It's a trick I return to again and ...
In this solo episode, Dr. Gauthier breaks down a powerful mindset shift that can transform your musical growth and career.
If you're tired of working harder and still feeling stuck, this is the episode for you.
🎯 In thi...
In this inspiring backstage pass conversation, Tim Higgins, principal trombone of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and acclaimed composer, arranger, and educator, shares the real work behind long-term success in music. Whether you're preparing for auditions or building artistic depth in your playing, this episode offers mindset shifts and practical tools you can apply today.
In this special episode, recorded live at New World Symphony's Wellness Week, four leading voices in musician wellness come together to share powerful strategies for navigating the mental, physical, and emotional demands of a music career.
You'll learn:
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In this episode, you'll learn:
- ...
In this inspiring conversation, violinist Randall Goosby shares how he balances technical mastery with deep artistic purpose. He offers insight into the mindset, values, and strategies that have shaped his unique approach to music-making—and how you can bring more meaning into your own playing.
In this episode, you'll hear about:
Learn a clear, actionable framework to help you manage performance anxiety and play with confidence.
· Read more
Discover how to use the Self-Coaching Model to better understand your mindset, manage your emotions, and create lasting progress in your music.
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In this episode, you'll learn a simple and powerful mindset tool that helps you understand and shift the thoughts, feelings, and actions that shape your musical results.
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This episode explores five mindset and strategy shifts that help you stay energized, focused, and motivated in your musical journey.
This episode explores five common practice pitfalls that can quietly sabotage your progress — and how to overcome them with clarity and confidence.
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