This article was sent to me quite some time ago by Nathan Schacherer. I believe the article originates from horndoggie.com
Definitely worth a read!
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
The inner voice – friend or foe?
While practicing music, I mentally take note of areas that sound good, passages that sound OK, and passages that need more work.
I try my best to be non-judgmental in this process as I am aware that excessive negativity can destroy; negative labels can impede my progress with mental blocks and psychological hang-ups. Studies show that there is a direct mind/body connection between what a person thinks and feels with how a person performs. The field of sports psychology, in fact, is entirely devoted to exploring and capitalizing on this connection to maximize an athlete’s performance.
Mental blocks of one variety or another can appear when least expected. Besides the occasional paranoia about my chops, the second biggest mental hurdle for me is remaining non-judgmental of musical passages or techniques that are “in the works.” This holds especially true when I am working out a passage for an event where I will be judged: a recital, a jury exam or an orchestral audition. Staying positive and constructive in this scenario can sometimes be a challenge for me – especially if the outside world creeps in.
