In this episode, we explore the concept of "Mind Over Finger" — aligning your mind before taking physical action.

· Discover how mental, emotional, and intellectual alignment boosts progress

· Learn how myelination impacts your practice outcomes

· Replace mindless repetition with intentional, effective strategies

· Apply the deep practice model with awareness and curiosity

· Shift from “wishful practicing” to purposeful, data-driven improvement

If you're ready to hit the ground running come September, Practicing for Peak Performance is your blueprint. This step-by-step course gives you the exact system to practice smarter, perform with confidence, and build unstoppable momentum. Enroll this summer and get bonus access to The Performance Anxiety Solution — free. Start now at http://www.mindoverfinger.com/ppp.

Join Practicing for Peak Performance HERE

Grab your free Joyful Practice Guide HERE

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

In this episode, I share powerful takeaways from 13 renowned performers and educators, including Rachel Barton Pine, Tom Hooten, Kim Kashkashian, Vijay Gupta, and Elizabeth Rowe.

Discover how world-class musicians use joy, curiosity, and presence to stay focused, avoid burnout, and make meaningful progress. You’ll walk away with practical tips and mindset shifts you can apply to your own practice today.

If you're ready to hit the ground running come September, Practicing for Peak Performance is your blueprint. This step-by-step course gives you the exact system to practice smarter, perform with confidence, and build unstoppable momentum. Enroll this summer and get bonus access to The Performance Anxiety Solution — free. Start now at http://www.mindoverfinger.com/ppp.

Join Practicing for Peak Performance HERE

Grab your free Joyful Practice Guide HERE

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

This episode kicks off the Reset and Rise summer transformation series with the Joyful Practice Challenge. You’ll explore simple prompts designed to help you reconnect with presence, boost effectiveness, and bring more curiosity, calm, and creativity into your practice. If your playing has felt heavy or disconnected, this is the reset you’ve been looking for.

If you're ready to hit the ground running come September, Practicing for Peak Performance is your blueprint. This step-by-step course gives you the exact system to practice smarter, perform with confidence, and build unstoppable momentum. Enroll this summer and get bonus access to The Performance Anxiety Solution — free. Start now at http://www.mindoverfinger.com/ppp.

Join Practicing for Peak Performance HERE

Grab your free Joyful Practice Guide HERE

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

In this episode, we explore one of the biggest mindset blocks musicians face: the belief that you're not ready. I break down why waiting for readiness keeps you stuck and how taking action before you feel 100% prepared is often the key to growth.

You'll learn:

· Why “I’m not ready” is usually fear in disguise

· What it really looks like to take action before you feel prepared

· How top musicians move forward despite uncertainty

· Simple mindset shifts that lead to clarity, confidence, and momentum

The Music Mastery Experience is now open for enrollment. If you're tired of waiting and ready to grow with structure, support, and strategy, head to mindoverfinger.com and book your free discovery call.

Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

In this episode, we explore why overthinking and fear take over in performance, even when you’re fully prepared. You’ll learn what’s really happening in your brain under pressure, why trying to fight fear often makes it worse, and what you can do to build trust in yourself again.

If you’ve ever felt like your own mind is your biggest obstacle on stage, this episode is for you.

And if if you’re tired of second-guessing yourself and ready to start performing with confidence and calm, join us inside the Music Mastery Experience.

MME is a full year of high-level coaching, structure, and support to help you retrain your performance response, build real trust in your preparation, and show up consistently, no matter the pressure.

The next cohort begins June 1. Spots are limited.

Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

In this episode, I explore one of the most important (and most avoided) questions musicians face: Is investing in yourself really worth it?

You'll hear:

• How to tell the difference between an expense and an investment
• The hidden cost of staying stuck
• Why self-investment often leads to faster, deeper growth
• Real stories from clients who hesitated and what changed when they said yes
• The mindset shift that helps musicians build lasting progress

If you’ve been feeling like you’re doing everything you can but still not moving forward, this episode offers a fresh perspective and a path toward momentum.

Enrollment is now open for The Music Mastery Experience, my signature yearlong coaching program. If this episode resonated with you, MME is designed to give you the exact support, structure, and strategy to stop spinning your wheels and start growing with clarity and confidence. Learn more and apply at www.mindoverfinger.com/mme25.

Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE

Book your free consultation with Renée HERE

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

In this episode, violinist Nikki Chooi shares how he rebuilt trust in his playing after formal training, refined his approach to practicing, and found balance between precision and expression in performance.

We talk about:

• How to blend slow and fast practice effectively
• The role of “adversity training” in audition preparation
• Practicing musicality with intention
• What changes when you stop chasing perfection and start trusting your process
• Why adaptability and balance are essential to long-term growth

If you're in a season of transition or looking to reconnect with your artistry, this conversation offers valuable insights and inspiration.

The Music Mastery Experience is where we take ideas like these and turn them into transformation. It's a full year of coaching, structure, and deep support designed to help you perform with clarity, confidence, and joy. If this episode speaks to you, I invite you to apply today at mindoverfinger.com/mme25.

JOIN THE MUSIC MASTERY EXPERIENCE HERE

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

MORE ABOUT NIKKI CHOOI

Website: https://www.nikkichooi.com/

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nikkichooi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikkichooi89/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikkichooi/

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

You’ve practiced the techniques. You’ve done the mindset work. But when it’s time to perform, everything seems to disappear.

In this episode, I explore why musicians often struggle to access what they know under pressure and what to do about it. You'll learn:

• Why your tools vanish in performance, even when you know they work
• How over-focusing on control can disconnect you from the music
• The real difference between skill prep and pressure prep
• One small, practical shift to help you reconnect with your strengths on stage

If you're done guessing, spinning your wheels, or second-guessing your ability on stage, I’d love to support you.

The Music Mastery Experience is where we turn these insights into lasting transformation. It's a full year of high-level coaching, structure, and community designed to help you go from inconsistent and overwhelmed to grounded, prepared, and confident every time you play. If this episode resonated with you, I invite you to apply today at mindoverfinger.com/mme25.

Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.