FAQs
What is Performance Psychology?
Performance psychology is a branch of psychology that studies the mental and emotional factors influencing human performance. It isn't just for athletes; it applies to anyone regularly in high-pressure environments—especially musicians. At The Natural Musician, we focus on Mental Performance Training - the practical application of theories developed by performance psychology. Put simply, if performance psychology is the "why," MPT is the "how."
Is MPT the same as therapy?
No. Traditional therapy or counseling generally aims to achieve healing in areas that have an impact on a person's day-to-day well-being. MPT focuses entirely on optimizing mental performance, focus, and resilience under pressures specific to the work of a musician with an emphasis on separating a person's sense of self from their musical performances. MPT is not a substitute for clinical mental health care; we are not licensed psychologists/councilors/therapists and will encourage you to see one if you are struggling with challenges that affect your daily life outside of music.
Is MPT the same as private music lessons?
No. MPT does not teach you how to play your instrument; it teaches you how to get out of your own way so you can play as well as you do in the practice room when it actually matters on stage. You will rarely—if ever—discuss technical improvement during a session. Think of it this way: If you have great technique (from lessons) but struggle with nerves, you won't perform at your best. Conversely, all the mental traning in the world won't help if you don't have a solid musical/technical foundation.
Will MPT help me perform perfectly?
The short answer is no (and that's actually a good thing). Perfectionism is the enemy of a great performance. If your goal is "perfect," your brain treats every tiny slip-up as a catastrophe, which triggers a stress response that makes you play worse. What MPT seeks to accomplish is closing the performance gap between practice and performance, raising the quality of your "bad" days so a worst performance becomes much more reliable and professional, and achieving an elite level of mental recovery so that a single mistake does not ruin the rest of the performance. The "perfect" performer doesn't exist. By shifting your focus from "don't mess up" (outcome based) to "stay present in the music" (process based), you naturally achieve a higher level of play without the paralyzing weight of perfection.
What if I can't be "fixed"?
The reason you might feel like you can't be "fixed" is actually based on a misunderstanding. The truth is, you aren't broken. MPT does not treat "nerves," "choking," or "stage fright" as defects or broken parts of your personality. Instead, we see them as unrefined skills. Just as you weren't born knowing how to play a C-major scale, most people aren't born with the innate ability to regulate their natural emotional responses under the lights of a concert hall. Mental resilience under pressure is a skill that is learned and developed, not a personality trait you either have or don't. You don't need to be "fixed" to be a high-performer. You simply need a better system for handling the pressure that comes with the job.
How long will it take to see results?
While every musician’s journey is different, most clients experience an immediate shift in perspective within the first two sessions. Significant, reliable changes in performance consistency typically develop over 4 to 8 weeks of consistent practice. Much like physical exercise, the more regularly you train these mental 'muscles,' the faster and more permanent the results will be. The first 1-2 sessions will typically involve discovering and documenting your mental strengths and challenges after which we work on a implementing a personalized improvement plan. We recommend committing to at least 8 weekly or bi-weekly sessions.