The Mind Over Finger Podcast

Dr. Renée-Paule Gauthier
  • 4.9 (103)
  • MUSIC
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Discussions on mindful music-making, efficient practice, and building a purposeful career with the performers, pedagogues, and innovators who are shaping the classical music world today! The Mind Over Finger Podcast is a resource for knowledge, insight, tips, tricks, and inspiration for musicians interested in learning more about practicing mindfully, performing optimally, and getting more intentional in creating a fulfilling musical career. We provide you with the tools to mindfully shift your musical practice from unconscious to deliberate, from paint-by-numbers to art by flow, from going through the motions to delightful play!

  1. 4D AGO

    Learning to Trust Yourself as a Musician: Juliana Athayde on betting on yourself, leading with humanity, and performing without fear.

    Concertmaster Juliana Athayde shares the mindset shifts and life choices that shaped her career, from betting on herself early on to leading an orchestra and building a full life beyond the practice room. In this conversation, we explore: • The leap of faith that led her to turn down a dream job and invest in herself • What great orchestral leadership actually looks like beyond playing well • Why "perfect or disaster" thinking traps so many musicians • The powerful idea that performance needs no rear view mirror • How audition panels are often rooting for you more than you think • The difference between practicing mindfully and "punching the time card" in the practice room • Why recording yourself and actually listening can transform your progress • How motherhood reshaped her priorities, practice efficiency, and perspective • Why a richer life outside music ultimately deepens your artistry • The simple but powerful question that can change everything: What if things went right? A thoughtful conversation about leadership, performance, growth, and choosing the bigger life in music.   If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there. Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.   Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE Book your free consultation with Renée HERE Download the transcript from this episode HERE   JULIANA ATHAYDE Eastman: https://www.esm.rochester.edu/directory/athayde-juliana/ Chamber Music Rochester: https://www.chambermusicrochester.org/artistic-directors     Mind Over Finger Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me. Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance. Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources. Connect: https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/     THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

    57 min

  2. FEB 26

    Your Heart Is Racing. Now What? The "Yes, And" trick that turns nerves into focus

    When your heart is racing and your brain starts whispering "don't mess this up," it's easy to think the goal is to shut the thoughts down. But that fight is often the thing that turns normal pre performance activation into full anxiety. In this short episode, I borrow the first rule of improv, "Yes, and," and show you how to use it as a musician. Not to become fearless, but to stay in the music even when doubt is in the room. In this episode, you'll hear: ·         The difference between normal activation and anxiety, and how the "second layer" of thoughts creates the spiral ·         Why denial and forcing yourself to "stop thinking" usually backfire right before performance ·         How to use "Yes, and" as validation, so your nervous system feels supported instead of bullied ·         Real scripts for the moments musicians actually struggle with, feeling behind in practice, tight in the warmup room, or rattled by a mistake on stage ·         A one minute breath reset you can do anywhere, 4 count inhale, 6 count exhale, paired with "Yes" and "And" ·         A simple challenge for today, catch one scary thought, validate it, and keep going   If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there. Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.   Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE Book your free consultation with Renée HERE Download the transcript from this episode HERE   Mind Over Finger Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me. Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance. Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources. Connect: https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/     THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

    13 min

  3. FEB 20

    Yoga for All Musicians: Brianne Borden and Claire Howard on nervous system care, the power of community, and a more humane way to make music

    When the world feels heavy and your body is bracing, it is weirdly easy to start treating music like it has to justify itself. You practice anyway. You show up anyway. But inside, you are carrying pressure, tension, and that quiet question most musicians do not say out loud: how do I keep doing this without burning out or breaking down? In Episode 250, I sit down with Dr. Brianne Borden and Claire Howard, co-owners of Yoga for All Musicians, for a conversation that is equal parts grounding, honest, and immediately useful. ·         Why "just focus on the music" is not always possible, and what to do when the world follows you into the practice room ·         The simple check in skill most musicians never learn, and why it changes everything from practice choices to injury prevention ·         How classical music culture trains disconnection, and what trauma informed teaching and cueing can actually feel like ·         A reframing of expectations that sounds small, but hits hard once you try it in real life ·         A short centering plus neck and shoulder reset you can do before you play, especially if you live in jaw and shoulder tension If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there. Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.   Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE Book your free consultation with Renée HERE Download the transcript from this episode HERE   Yoga for All Musicians ·         Website: https://www.yogaforallmusicians.com/ ·         Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogaforallmusicians/ ·         Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YogaforAllMusicians ·         Their podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/uif3r1ampypupkhj12tzgzpvx ·         Their app: o   Android: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fit-by-wix/id1552621043 o   Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fit-by-wix/id1552621043   Mind Over Finger Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me. Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance. Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources. Connect: https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/     THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

    59 min

  4. FEB 13

    You're Not Behind. You're Overloaded. How Unrealistic Expectations Hijack Your Brain and What to Do Instead

    In this episode, we unpack how unrealistic expectations quietly overload your brain, tighten your body, and slow your progress. And more importantly, how to reset them so they actually work for you. You'll learn: • Why high standards are not the problem but misaligned expectations are • How pressure and perfectionism interfere with learning • A simple expectation audit you can use before practice or performance • How to shift from "I should" to "What can I do today?" • A powerful on stage reframe that turns anxiety into expression If you've been pushing hard but not feeling better, this one will help you breathe, refocus, and move forward with clarity.   If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there. Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.   Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE Book your free consultation with Renée HERE Download the transcript from this episode HERE   Mind Over Finger Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me. Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance. Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources. Connect: https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/     THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

    37 min

  5. FEB 6

    Bill Denton: Forget the Timeline - The Path Is Yours to Build - What Every Musician Needs to Hear About Age, Timing, and the Long Game

    What if your path takes longer than you thought it would? What if you don't win the job straight out of school. Or even straight out of your twenties? And what if that's not failure, but just a different kind of success? In this episode, I sit down with Bill Denton, Principal Trumpet of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, to talk about what it really means to stay in the game. Bill won his job at 50. Before that? He taught high school band, drove to gigs, kept showing up, and stayed connected to his playing through real life, not a perfect timeline. This conversation is for anyone who's ever wondered: ·         Am I too late? ·         Is it still worth it? ·         What if my career doesn't look like theirs? Tune in to hear what long-term commitment really looks like, how to stay ready without burning out, and why your timeline doesn't have to match anyone else's. Whether you're navigating auditions, comparison, or just the quiet pressure of being "on time," this one's for you.  Find out more information about Bill on his website: https://dentonliumusicacademy.com/bios/    If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there. Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.   Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE Book your free consultation with Renée HERE Download the transcript from this episode HERE   Mind Over Finger Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me. Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance. Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources. Connect: https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/     THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

    50 min

  6. JAN 31

    Tired of Forcing Yourself to Practice? The Mental Reset That Gets You Back Into Practice Gently

    When practicing feels impossible, it's not because you're lazy or undisciplined. In this episode, I walk you through the simple mindset shifts and practical strategies that help you stop pushing and start showing up with more ease, clarity, and self-respect. You'll learn: ·         Why waiting for motivation doesn't work ·         A five-step mental reset to ease into practice ·         How to reduce friction and make your routine feel lighter ·         A quick trick to spark momentum on low-energy days ·         How to leave a session feeling proud—even when it wasn't perfect If you've been feeling stuck or resistant, this episode will help you reconnect with your purpose and make practicing feel more doable again. If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there. Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.   Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE Book your free consultation with Renée HERE Download the transcript from this episode HERE   Mind Over Finger Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me. Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance. Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources. Connect: https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/     THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

    19 min

  7. JAN 23

    Brad Stulberg: The Way of Excellence - The Secret to What It Really Takes to Thrive

    What does it really take to grow as an artist without burning out? In this powerful conversation, I'm joined by bestselling author and performance expert Brad Stulberg to explore what excellence actually means, and how we can pursue it in a way that feels deeply fulfilling, not exhausting. Brad's new book, The Way of Excellence, offers a grounded and practical roadmap for anyone looking to sustain high-level work over time. Whether you're navigating auditions, refining your craft, or questioning how to stay connected to music in a chaotic world, this episode is for you. You'll learn how to: ·         Redefine excellence as a process of becoming, not a fixed destination ·         Align your ambition with your core values for a stronger sense of purpose ·         Balance self-discipline with self-kindness, especially when motivation is low ·         Use the "brave new world" mindset to face fear and uncertainty ·         Build emotional resilience so you can keep showing up when it counts ·         Stay consistent without getting stuck in hustle or burnout ·         Create progress that's sustainable, satisfying, and deeply your own This episode is a must-listen for musicians who want to stay inspired, grounded, and intentional in the way they grow. Brad brings wisdom from elite performers across fields — and his insights will help you rethink what excellence can look like in your own musical life. Tune in and take away practical tools to support your artistry, your mindset, and your well-being. Grab The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World HERE!   If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there. Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.   Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE Book your free consultation with Renée HERE Download the transcript from this episode HERE   Brad Stulberg Grab The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World HERE: https://amzn.to/4jWCsd1 Website: https://www.bradstulberg.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradstulberg/ X: https://x.com/bstulberg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-stulberg-009b168b/   Mind Over Finger Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me. Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance. Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources. Connect: https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/     THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

    54 min

  8. JAN 16

    Long-Term Growth vs. Short-Term Pressure: Why Trying to Master Everything Is Slowing You Down and How to Fix It

    Are you juggling big technique goals and an upcoming performance? Struggling to fix your vibrato while also cramming notes for an audition? You're not alone, and you're not doing it wrong. In this episode, we unpack why chasing long-term mastery and short-term perfection at the same time can leave you overwhelmed, stuck, and second-guessing everything. You'll learn: ·         How to separate growth work from prep work without sacrificing either ·         Why perfectionism in your "big goal" might be sabotaging your current deadline ·         A smarter way to structure your practice when everything feels important ·         One essential mindset shift to help you stay grounded and actually make progress This is for you if you've ever felt like no matter how hard you work, you're not getting better fast enough, or worse, like you're falling behind. Let's fix that.   If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there. Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.   Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE Book your free consultation with Renée HERE Download the transcript from this episode HERE   Mind Over Finger Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me. Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance. Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources. Connect: https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/     THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

    30 min
See All (253)

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
103 Ratings

About

Discussions on mindful music-making, efficient practice, and building a purposeful career with the performers, pedagogues, and innovators who are shaping the classical music world today! The Mind Over Finger Podcast is a resource for knowledge, insight, tips, tricks, and inspiration for musicians interested in learning more about practicing mindfully, performing optimally, and getting more intentional in creating a fulfilling musical career. We provide you with the tools to mindfully shift your musical practice from unconscious to deliberate, from paint-by-numbers to art by flow, from going through the motions to delightful play!

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Renée-Paule Gauthier
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    253
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Renée-Paule Gauthier 2025
  • Show Website
    The Mind Over Finger Podcast

You Might Also Like