Getting and Keeping Your Head in the Game
There is so much I could say on this subject that I won’t get it all in one post. This is a subject I’ve struggled to this day with… and have made recent breakthroughs I thought I’d share, plus a couple tips I read that I thought were good (I just wish I could remember where I read them so I could give credit).
Let me start with the fact that by age 5, music would transport my entire being to ‘another place’ where every atom in the immediate area would join in concert and create a fountain of emotion that engulfed me till exhausted and filled with joy. I had discovered the magic and joy of MUSICALITY.
I KNEW what I wanted to do.
That said, now came the task of learning to do it. I became obsessed about the technicalities of playing/performing music, trying to be as perfect as possible, always extremely hard on myself. The persistence paid off in being able to get paid to play music. But, most of the time, I had anxious performances that relied on applause for joy. I was always up in my head messing things up, worrying rather than flowing, and always ‘chasing’ that place I had found when I was a five-year old.
Being a musician isn’t just about nailing that perfect note or shredding a killer solo. It’s about getting your head right, too. You can practice for hours, master your technique, and pour your soul into your sound, but if your mindset’s off, it all falls flat. There’s no soul… NO MUSICALITY. Your mental approach is just as – if not more important than your musical chops. So, let’s talk about getting and keeping your head in the zone and owning your performance.
Visualizing Victory: Practice Without Your Instrument
You know those days when you just can’t pick up your instrument, but you still want to get better? Or how about when you’re on the way to a gig that is new, or requires new material you’re not that familiar with? That’s where mental imagery comes in. Yeah, it sounds a bit out there, but trust me, it works. By picturing yourself playing perfectly—even when you’re not holding your axe—you’re actually firing up the same neural pathways you use when you’re physically playing.
*** Public Service Announcement: DO NOT DO THIS WHILE DRIVING AS I… I MEAN ‘HE’… was suggesting in the above paragraph. You could cause an accident!
(We musicians should be required to put placards on our cars that alert people who we are… and therefore, what we’re probably doing while driving!)
How to Make It Happen:
- Sit back, close your eyes (OR LEAVE THEM WIDE OPEN IF YOUR HANDS ARE ON A STEERING WHEEL), and run through the piece in your mind.
- Feel every movement, every note, every shift of your hands.
- Visualize the dynamics, the expression, the vibe—get lost in it.
Next time you’re gearing up for a gig, take a few minutes to do this. It’s like a mental dress rehearsal, and it can make you feel way more confident when it’s showtime.
Taming the Stage Beast: Making Anxiety Your Wingman
Stage fright? Join the club. Everyone gets a little freaked out before stepping into the spotlight. It is said that the best you can do is try to get the butterflies to fly in a straight line. It’s also said that if the butterflies stop, maybe you shouldn’t play anymore…?
The trick isn’t to eliminate nerves—it’s to make them work for you. Anxiety is your body’s way of saying, “This matters!” So instead of fighting it, learn to ride that wave.
Also, I’ve always felt that if I’m to play in front of an audience, it’s my job to transport THEM with me to ‘that place’… that emotion-filled place… where they can escape ‘their stuff’ for a while. I’ve found concentrating on that part helps me to get out of my head and back to what I’m there to do. Look at the nerves as your message or feelings desperately trying to escape, just waiting on your say-so.
Tip:
- Flip the script and see anxiety as energy—fuel for your performance.
- Shift your mindset: It’s not a test, it’s a chance to share your music and your soul.
- Use deep, slow breaths to calm your pulse and get out of your own head.
Instead of letting fear own you, own it. Let that adrenaline fire up your performance rather than shake it down.
Prep Like a Pro: Confidence Comes From Doing the Work
Confidence isn’t some mystical force reserved for rock gods and virtuosos. It’s earned by grinding, practicing, and believing that you can deliver. You’ve put in the hours—now it’s time to trust your own hard work. Self-belief isn’t just feel-good fluff; it’s the difference between owning the stage and feeling like an imposter.
Get Your Confidence Game On:
- Set small, winnable goals when you practice— try to learn something new every day, even if just a different way to play or sing something than you had before— stack those wins.
- Don’t get lost in perfection. Progress is what counts.
- DO GET LOST in your feelings when playing. The music is IN YOU. The instrument is just in the way. To me, any playing that doesn’t start there is just ‘making sounds’. Some are very good at this… mathematically perfect… and they have lots of fans. I’m not downplaying that as an objective. Also, there is the casual player that doesn’t really get that deep into it. I still believe that this way of thinking would even help the casual player have more enjoyment.
- Kick negative self-talk to the curb. Your mistakes don’t define you—your hustle does. Also, mistakes are necessary for growth. Miles Davis said “if you ain’t clammin’, you ain’t jammin’”.
- When you’re up there, you’re not just playing music—you’re telling your story – bearing your soul. Make sure your confidence shines through. MAKE SURE THEY FEEL IT!
Mastering an instrument isn’t just about technique—it’s about mastering the mind.