{"id":29579,"date":"2017-12-29T10:00:03","date_gmt":"2017-12-29T18:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/classicalguitarshed.foureyes.com\/?p=29579"},"modified":"2025-06-23T05:23:39","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T12:23:39","slug":"performance-mindset-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/performance-mindset-practice\/","title":{"rendered":"Practice Mindsets that Improve Your Performances"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>You\u2019ve practiced hard. You\u2019ve agreed to play for some people. You show up. And\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Was fate for or against you? Were you suprised or caught off-guard by anything?<\/p>\n<p>Did the performance seem tied to you practices, or seem to be a completely different experience?<\/p>\n<p class=\"centerc\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kJNvHv5OdtY?rel=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;autohide=1\" width=\"700\" height=\"393\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Performance Reflects Practice<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s tempting to think of performance as something outside our practice.<\/p>\n<p>But the quality of the performance is a <a href=\"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/guitar-performance-training\/\">direct reflection of the quality of practice<\/a>. No accidents, no flukes, no lucky or unlucky breaks.<\/p>\n<p>After the initial adrenaline wears off, we enter our \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicalguitarshed.com\/musical-tension\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">autopilot<\/a>\u201d, or default mode.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/7-practice-mistakes\/\">The mental habits<\/a> we cultivate in our daily practice switch on, and we\u2019re just along for the ride.<\/p>\n<p>If we\u2019re focused, detail-oriented, intentional, and calmly aware in our practices, we\u2019ll enter that state in performance.<\/p>\n<p>We get what we prepare for.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Reverse-Engineer the Perfect Performance<\/h2>\n<p>So if we want to perform well, and share our music, we can put the habits in place to encourage that.<\/p>\n<p>We can imagine the perfect performance, and examine each element. Then we can make sure we include those in our daily practice <a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2CjpP9j\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">rituals<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Prepared vs. Unprepared<\/h3>\n<p>Preparation includes knowing our music, but it also includes everything below as well.<\/p>\n<p>This also includes making sure we have what we need by way of equipment, sleep, food, and anything else to be at our best.<\/p>\n<h3>Focused vs. Distracted<\/h3>\n<p>This is one of the big ones. Performers often hear their internal chatter for the first time in front of people.<\/p>\n<p>They don\u2019t realize that this mental dialog has been a part of every practice leading up to that moment.<\/p>\n<p>But for the first time, they are fully aware and in the moment.<\/p>\n<p>If we can remain aware and alert in practice, we\u2019ll become so in performance.<\/p>\n<p>Likewise, we can learn to recognize when we become distracted, then gently direct ourselves back to focus. This is the ongoing exercise that will pay of most in performance.<\/p>\n<h3>Ready vs. Surprised<\/h3>\n<p>Mike Tyson famously said, \u201c<em>Everyone has a plan \u2019till they get hit in the mouth.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Are we ready for the stress of performance? We know what it feels like to get anxious:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Your temperature rises.<\/li>\n<li>You start to sweat.<\/li>\n<li>Your pulse increases.<\/li>\n<li>Your shoulders raise.<\/li>\n<li>Your breathing quickens.<\/li>\n<li>Your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicalguitarshed.com\/shaky-hands-guitar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">hands get shaky<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicalguitarshed.com\/quiet-inner-dialog-performance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">internal dialog<\/a> gets critical.<\/li>\n<li>And a hundred other little things.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>So ten minutes before we play, why are we surprised by this? It\u2019s perfectly natural. It happens to all but the most extroverted or experienced performers. And many life-long performers still have these symptoms.<\/p>\n<p>Also, if we make a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicalguitarshed.com\/no-mistakes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">mistake<\/a> 8 times out of 10 in practice, why should we think it will go well under stress? Ready means knowing possible pitfalls and preparing for them.<\/p>\n<h3>Owner vs. Victim<\/h3>\n<p>When we perform, we have the option of taking full responsibility for the listener\u2019s experience.<\/p>\n<p>We can own our bodies, the events leading to the performance, the environment, and every aspect of the situation.<\/p>\n<p>We can take 100% ownership of the entire performance. No <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicalguitarshed.com\/reality-guilt-inner-game\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">blame<\/a>, no excuses.<\/p>\n<p>Sure, the roof can fall in. But we could have chosen a different time or place.<\/p>\n<p>When we take full responsibility we\u2019re empowered. And afterward, we can feel good knowing we did our best. Next time may well be better. But taking full ownership gives us a sense of control and personal investment.<\/p>\n<h3>Bold vs. Tentative<\/h3>\n<p>Tentative performances can make listeners feel uncomfortable and distract them from the music.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, the best performances are bold and committed. Even if we miss notes or have a memory slip, we can do so boldly.<\/p>\n<p>We can practice boldness. <a href=\"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/kaizen-guitar\/\">We can play boldly in our daily practices<\/a>, and get used to the feelings and exersions of bold playing.<\/p>\n<p>To do this, notice how you use your muscles and body in other areas of life where you already feel confident. This could be in the workshop, the kitchen, the garage, the office or anywhere else.<\/p>\n<p>Bring those same patterns of thought and muscle-tonus to your practice. Play loud sometimes, and trust yourself to play the right notes.\u00a0 Have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicalguitarshed.com\/positive-agenda\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">positive agenda<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Listener-Centered vs. Self-Centered<\/h3>\n<p>When we practice, we can keep the listener in mind. This maintains an attitude of generosity and giving.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of making the music about us, we can play as a gift to others.<\/p>\n<p>This changes the frame of success.<\/p>\n<p>When it\u2019s about us, we give ourselves 100% to start, then subtract \u201cpoints\u201d everytime we make a mistake or have memory-slip. By the end, we may feel terrible about ourselves.<\/p>\n<p>When we play as a gift, we focus more on the positive offering, and less on small mistakes. The music now has no bearing on our worth as a person. We\u2019re simply sharing music for the enjoyment of the listener.<\/p>\n<p>In daily practice, this means not cringing at mistakes. It means not judging. It means focusing on the task at hand and playing with as much intention and attention as possible.<\/p>\n<h3>High Energy vs. Low Energy<\/h3>\n<p>In a perfect world, we have all the energy we need when we perform. We have the mental and physical stamina. We have the focus and poise.<\/p>\n<p>In dangerous activities (such as tightrope-walking or using power-tools), we automatically enter states of high focus and attention.<\/p>\n<p>But in our daily practice, we can get away with mind-wandering and slouching.<\/p>\n<p>We can train ourselves to play with high dynamic energy by practicing with purpose and intention and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicalguitarshed.com\/how-to-hold-a-guitar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">stay upright<\/a>. We can infuse it into the music. We can form habits of high engagement.<\/p>\n<p>This will become our default. This way we\u2019ll be more comfortable, as well well as more energetic, in performances.<\/p>\n<h3>Specific vs. Vague<\/h3>\n<p>We can also use our daily practices to build the habit of focusing on specific <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicalguitarshed.com\/fine-details-classical-guitar-polish-perfect\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">details<\/a>, and having specific outcomes in mind.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of &#8220;playing with feeling&#8221;, we can make specific choices to get louder in one place and quieter in another.\u00a0 We can choose how to move our hands.\u00a0 We can choose how to sit.\u00a0 We can get specific on which notes are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicalguitarshed.com\/interpret-classic-guitar-music\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">melody<\/a> and which are not.<\/p>\n<p>Some of our best practice comes when we work to eliminate confusion.\u00a0 Out with the vague and in with the specific.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Small Daily Steps<\/h2>\n<p>None of the above mindsets and attitudes are learned in a day.\u00a0 They are built over time.\u00a0 They are habits, and habits are built of repetition.<\/p>\n<p>When we repeatedly remind ourselves and repeat an action, we make it a part of us.\u00a0 Eventually, we don&#8217;t need to remind ourselves about it anymore.\u00a0 It becomes a default pattern.<\/p>\n<p>When we adopt beneficial attitudes and mindsets, we enjoy more improvement, better performances, and more fulfilling daily practices.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You\u2019ve practiced hard. You\u2019ve agreed to play for some people. You show up. And\u2026 Was fate for or against you? Were you suprised or caught off-guard by anything? Did the performance seem tied to you practices, or seem to be a completely different experience? Performance Reflects Practice It\u2019s tempting to think of performance as something outside our practice. But the &#8230; <\/p>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/performance-mindset-practice\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29580,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[61,434,20],"tags":[54,34,353,352],"class_list":["post-29579","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","category-main-content-parent","category-practicing","tag-mindset","tag-performance","tag-performance-anxiety","tag-performance-practice"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.8 (Yoast SEO v25.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Practice Mindsets to Improve Your Guitar Performances<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Let&#039;s reverse-engineer a perfect performance to find attitudes and mindsets we can bring 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