Category Archives: Performance Preparation

Steve Young’s Success Secret – Thinking

Posted on January 6, 2019 by David Motto

What does a retired NFL quarterback who’s obsessed with golf – but doesn’t have enough time to practice regularly – have to teach us about performance optimization? It’s simple: Thinking That’s right. When you can’t do the activity, think about … Continue reading →

Posted in Achieving Goals, Performance Optimization, Performance Preparation, Positive Thinking, Visualization | Leave a comment

Performance Coaches Are Vital

Posted on January 3, 2019 by David Motto

Steph Curry, star player for the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, has said this about one of his coaches: ” . . . huge, just being there for us.” ” . . . big in helping us through the recovery process … Continue reading →

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2018 Grammy Telecast

Posted on January 30, 2018 by David Motto

What Every Musician Can Learn from the Grammy Telecast – 2018 Every year the Grammy’s get a lot of media coverage. “Is the show relevant?” “Are the voting members of the Recording Academy out of touch with today’s taste and … Continue reading →

Posted in Achieving Goals, Music, Music Performance Tips, Performance Preparation, Visualization | 1 Comment

Best Counting Methods

Posted on January 17, 2018 by David Motto

David Motto’s Practice Tip of the Week: The Best Counting Methods One of the top pieces of advice music teachers give their students is to count all the time while they’re playing. Keeping the count allows musicians to improve their … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Music Practice Tips, Music Rehearsal Tips, Performance Preparation, Sightreading | 2 Comments

Controlling Your Inner Voice

Posted on January 10, 2018 by David Motto

David Motto’s Practice Tip of the Week: Take Control of Your Inner Voice It’s important to use your inner voice very carefully when you practice and perform. Did you just think to yourself, “What inner voice?” If you did, that’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Achieving Goals, Motivation, Music, Music Practice Tips, Performance Preparation, Positive Thinking | 2 Comments

Practice in Front of a Mirror

Posted on December 13, 2017 by David Motto

David Motto’s Practice Tip of the Week:Really Seeing Yourself When we practice, we often feel that our technique is strong and we are playing efficiently. It would be interesting to know if someone watching us practice would come to the … Continue reading →

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Avoid the SAD Syndrome

Posted on November 1, 2017 by David Motto

David Motto’s Practice Tip of the Week:Avoid the SAD Syndrome Many musicians have a habit of practicing in a way that will never lead to success in a performance. Their practicing is full of uncontrolled stops and starts. Their playing … Continue reading →

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Recognize What You Do Well

Posted on October 18, 2017 by David Motto

David Motto’s Practice Tip of the Week:Recognize What You Do Well Accomplishments vs. Problems Do you recognize your accomplishments and feel good about them? Many musicians are guilty of focusing only on the problems in their playing. It’s important to … Continue reading →

Posted in Achieving Goals, Motivation, Music, Music Practice Tips, Performance Preparation | 3 Comments

Stage Clothes

Posted on October 11, 2017 by David Motto

David Motto’s Practice Tip of the Week:The Performance Preparation that Nobody Does Whether your performance garb is white-tie and tails or a vinyl mini-skirt, you need to be sure you can play well in your stage clothes. Hardly anyone double … Continue reading →

Posted in Motivation, Music Practice Tips, Music Rehearsal Tips, Performance Preparation | 4 Comments

SMART Goals

Posted on October 2, 2017 by David Motto

Using the SMART Goals System to Get What You Want Setting goals is great. Accomplishing those goals is even better! Everyone working on new skills, getting ready for competition, growing their business, or trying to get their ideas heard and … Continue reading →

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