Start / The Bulletproof Musician / Aaron williamon on becoming a better happier and healthier musician

Aaron Williamon: On Becoming a Better, Happier, and Healthier Musician

52 min • 2 april 2023

If you’ve been a listener of this podcast for any period of time, you’ve probably already been influenced by today’s guest without realizing it - namely, performance science researcher Aaron Williamon.

Aaron's research has produced influential insights in many different facets of a musician's life, from effective practice and performance preparation, to managing nerves, optimizing focus, musician health, technology and recording, and even the importance of how we present ourselves visually on stage.

Whether you’re interested in practicing more effectively, looking for ways to tweak your preparation for an upcoming audition, or wondering how to help your students have a more positive and empowering experience on stage, I’ll bet my next box of Weetabix that you’ll take away some new details from today’s episode that will change some facet of your practice in the week ahead. The episode will also make you think more generally about the role (and value) of music in society, if you’ve had questions about that in recent years…

Get all the nerdy details and this week's practice hacks below (there’s also a transcript with timestamps if you’d like to jump right to a few key points of interest):

* * *
Want to perform up to your full abilities more consistently? Learn how, with evidence-based strategies that will accelerate your learning, and help you overcome performance anxiety, focus past distractions, quiet your inner critic, and play more confidently.

Check out the live online mental skills “Essentials” course which begins July 22nd, 2025: bulletproofmusician.com/essentials

Senaste avsnitt

​Aaron Williamon: On Becoming a Better, Happier, and Healthier Musician

Senaste avsnitt

A Way to Get More Useful Performance Feedback?

How to Unlock Your Students’ Hidden Practice Abilities

Judy Loman: On the Best Advice For an Aspiring Harpist (or Musician)

A Comparison of Three Approaches to Teaching Expressiveness

The Overlooked Skill That Could Make Performing More Enjoyable

How Do Effective Practicers Make the Most of Their Practice Time?

Do We Unconsciously Favor Talent Over Effort?

Cellist Yumi Kendall: On Becoming a More Positive (And Effective) Practicer

How to Keep Your Inner Critic From Getting the Better of You

Pre-Performance Apathy (and the Importance of Mentally Disengaging From Practice)

Your Brain Isn’t Built for Consistency - Here’s How to Make That Work for You

Mitch Abrams: On Trauma and High-Level Performance

Reward vs. Punishment: Which Leads to Faster Learning?

One Way Parents Can Help Their Kids Be Less Anxious

A Self-Talk Tweak to Boost the Odds of Achieving Your Goals

Linda Chesis: On Cultivating a More Beautiful Sound and Becoming a Better Practicer

Finding Your Optimal Anxiety Level: Why Calm Isn’t Always Better

The 70% Rule: Why Practicing Shouldn’t Be Too Easy

Sight Reading: The Ideal Error Rate for Optimal Learning

Why Practicing While Distracted Is Actually Very Important

How to Help Students Remember More From Each Lesson

How to Increase the Likelihood of Being Accepted by Others

Stumped by a Problem in the Practice Room? Try an “Incubation” Break

Perfect Shmerfect. Could More “Mistakes” Accelerate Learning?

Carolyn Christie: On Overcoming Nerves With Healthier Internal Dialogue - and Phrasing!

Can We Train Ourselves to Worry Less About Others’ Opinions?

What Causes "Choking" Under Pressure? And What Can We Do About It?

The Truth About Cramming: Why Your Brain Needs Breaks

Orli Shaham: On Overcoming Setbacks and Learning to Trust the Process

A Backward Strategy for Enhanced Goal-Setting Success

4 Approaches to Goal Setting (And Which Works Best)

Do Extroverts Make Better Performers Than Introverts?

Laurie Scott & Cornelia Watkins: On Going From the Stage to the Studio

Does How We Look On Stage Matter More Than How We Sound...?

Does Counting Our Blessings Really Change Anything?

An Easier Way to Get Better at Mental Imagery?

A Better Way to Do Mental Practice?

Not an Optimist? How to Make Pessimism Work for You.

Can Breathing Really Help Reduce Anxiety? Or Is It Just a Cliché?

Go From Procrastination to Productivity With “Temptation Bundling”

A Better Way to Bounce Back From Disappointing Setbacks

Why Giving Students Choices Could Dramatically Enhance Learning

What Are Audition Committees Really Listening For?

The Best Time to Exercise for Maximizing Practice Gains

How Important Is It Really to Practice Every Day?

Improve Coordination With Opposite-Side Practice

Nathan Cole: Lessons From 20 Years of Concertmaster Auditions

An Ironic Strategy to Stay Calmer and Avoid Rushing on Performance Days

How Teachers' Expectations Can Shape Students' Learning & Performance

How Much Do Positive or Negative Expectations Affect Performance?

How to Keep Music Feeling Fresh Through Repeated Performances

Is It Really so Bad to Frown After Making a Mistake?

What’s the Optimal Practice-To-Rest Ratio?

Is There a Way to Make Self-Imposed Deadlines Work?

Does Listening to Music Benefit the Music Learning Process?

A Better Way to Learn, Teach, and Perform New Skills?

Is It Better to Perform With Eyes Open or Closed?

A Teaching Method That Creates Smarter Practicers

The Subtle Habit That Might Be Undermining Your Confidence

Learn More Effectively with This Lesser-Known Mindset Shift

Are You the “Good” or “Bad” Kind of Procrastinator?

Why Practicing for Consistency May Be Less Effective Than You’d Think

Are Great Sight-Readers Born or Made?

Michael Bridge: On Cultivating Expressive (vs Impressive) Virtuosity

How Much of an Effect Does Hydration Have on Practice & Performance?

Feel Like You’re Getting Worse? Here’s Why That May Not Just Be Your Imagination.

An Unconventional Way to Enhance Your Focus in the Practice Room

Frank Almond: On Work, Fun, and the Importance of Both in Dealing with Adversity

How the Wrong Kind of Praise Could Increase a Student’s Feelings of Shame

Can We Learn Faster by Thinking Less?

To Play More Accurately, Change Your Focus?

Why Good Ensemble Playing May Require More Than Just Your Ears

A Gentle Way to Help Kids (or Adults) Build Performance Confidence?

A Simple Strategy for Reducing Worries and Practicing With More Focus

Why the Wrong Kind of Praise Could Heighten a Student's Fear of Failure

Do You Have a Bias Against Creative Students (Without Realizing It)?

Steven Tenenbom: On Rhythm, Phrasing, and the Life Within Each Note

Can Good Luck Charms and Superstitious Rituals Enhance Performance?

Aaron Williamon: On Becoming a Better, Happier, and Healthier Musician

Aaron Williamon: On Becoming a Better, Happier, and Healthier Musician