Performance Psychology – Page 2 – Biomechanics and performance psychology for musicians and guitarists

Performance psychology, basic concepts

The brain is a tireless worker. It is never idle. If it is not occupied, it can bombard us constantly with (primarily) negative thoughts through our subconscious.

Filters also direct our thinking. All data that reaches the brain is altered before being interpreted. The brain does not have the power to register the negative form. It is therefore important to set clear goals and to expose them in an affirmative and positive way.

For example, if one says,

“I will not fail, the brain registers: ‘I will fail.’ So one must say, ‘I will succeed!’

Our conscious minds are responsible executing all that work that is linear, sequential, logical, mathematical, analytical and verbal. On the other hand, our subconscious minds are liable for everything that as to do with intuition, creativity, motor function, emotion management and the storage of memories.

Clearly, the subconscious has a lot to do with our instrumental practice. It allows us to deploy all our assets when the time comes to perform. Unfortunately, if it remains unoccupied, it will act as a moral being, and our personal filters will guide its decision-making.

There are at least four types of filters that can alter our perceptions.

It is therefore clear that the information that reaches us is not pure information. It is also easy to understand that each of these elements comes to power to interfere with our future performance. Indeed they have the power steer our brains to places that may not be in line with our desired level of performance. For example, someone who feels unable to perform a certain technical passage technique will not succeed.

‘Do it or do not do it, There Is No try!’ Yoda

‘If you think you can, you’re right. If you think you cannot, you are right. ’ Henry Ford

‘I have not failed, I found 10,000 ways that did not work!’ A. Einstein

The good news is that everything seems to suggest that this situation is not immutable. The latest research results on brain plasticity show that it retains the power to change throughout the human lifespan. We can always learn, regardless of our age.

Everything can be reshaped. We can change our beliefs, our values and our meta programs when they obstruct our goals. It is also possible to change our goals such that they are in line with our values and beliefs. The important thing is to ensure that all of the elements are working in the same direction by beginning a process of self-discovery. To do this, we can make a move to get to know. The assistance of a psychologist or other professional help to clarify a complex situation.

In the next post, we will t explore practical solutions to optimize our mental performance.

Brain, Hormones and Performance

Cortisol a friend who is also an enemy!

Our body is a fabulous machine. With the evolution through the centuries, it is capable of the greatest achievements and is designed to enable us to cope with all situations. Stimuli around us trigger a multitude of chain reactions in the depths of our being. These reactions are what allows us to survive our environment.

Cortisol is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands. Very important for several metabolic functions of the human body, it allows among others to regulate glucose in the blood, controlling blood pressure levels, to secrete insulin, stimulate the immune response and inflammation. Normally, this hormone is present in the human body in greater quantity in the morning and in lesser quantities in the evening. It was named by some researchers stress hormones, not because it is secreted in times of stress, but because it is secreted in large amounts by the body when it is subjected to intense stress.

A slight increase in cortisol may have several positive effects on the human body. For example, it gives us a boost of energy for survival reasons. It increases the ability to memorize and immunological capacity, reduces sensitivity to pain and maintain homeostasis (balance) of the body.

Cons secreted by high doses during periods of stress or chronic stress related to lifestyle, cortisol is a real poison. It reduces cognitive performance, suppresses the thyroid function, causes blood sugar imbalances, reduces bone density and muscle mass, reduces immunity and may cause higher rates of abdominal fat responsible for several diseases such as heart disease and metabolic syndrome. It is therefore, important to limit the action of cortisol at times when it can really be helpful. To do this, we must learn to stop the secretion of this hormone. Before and after a stressful event, it is important to charge our batteries. It must then be fundamental to take a time buffer before and after it.

Several activities can reduce the level of cortisol. Include breathing exercises, yoga, Tai Chi, Qi-Gong, moderate physical activity (according to our fitness), meditation, listening to slow music, to sleep and all activities that enable us to feel present and in harmony with each other. These ways will be developed in depth later in this blog.

The importance of mental preparation in music performance

In my research on the optimization of the guitar technique, I quickly realized that an element had to muddy the waters. I could greatly increase my potential, but unfortunately, the performance was not always there under stress. Then I recalled a quote that my karate master repeated to me endlessly: “Who dominates the other one is strong. Who dominates himself is powerful. ” ( Lao-Tsu)

As I drew a lot of information for my research in the field of Sports kinesiology. It was quite normal for me to look to the athletes and their mental preparation to performance to see if there were elements applicable to musical performance. The high-level musician compares easily to high-ranking athletes by his physiological performance (endurance), long hours of training and development, work in precision, need of constant concentration, high stakes (pressure), and no second chance. Finally, one mistake, however, small it may be, has the potential to ruin performance. There are many examples of problems caused by performance anxiety as tremors, forgetfulness, physical cramps, lack of saliva, rhythmic problems, problems of auditory and visual perception… Many musicians are reluctant to seek psychological help to overcome their own limitations. Many mistakenly believe that their physical preparation is sufficient, others believe that the one who needs mental support is a weak person. In our society, there is a negative bias against the use of a psychologist or a mental trainer. Brain functions are poorly understood by the population, and using the help of psychologists remains taboo. “It is easier to disintegrate an atom than a prejudice. ” (A. Einstein) However, the effectiveness of mental preparation is unequivocal.

The great virtuoso we all admire also relies on techniques of psychological optimization to overcome their fears, their beliefs and all forms of deadlocks. The performance equation: Performance = potential—mental interference. We often try to increase our level of performance by increasing our potential, but we can significantly improve performance by reducing our level of mental interference. The next few posts will address how the brain and hormonal system react during the stage performance and practical ways to transform performance anxiety into a positive thing. Then we will discuss how biomechanics can help overcome our technical problems. I am giving master classes and lectures on the subject. If you are interested in having a master class on the subject, leave me a private message in my mailbox.