Why you should be concerned about your inner voice while practicing?

Almudena Longares
Oct 14
3 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

One of the most admirable qualities of great performers (and sometimes teachers) is how kindly they treat themselves. For some reason, we often program ourselves to be kinder to others than to ourselves. Musicians who struggle to reach their goals often hide a tyrannical inner world filled with procrastination and self-criticism.

The Harmful Cycle:

The process can be simple but destructive:

Create unrealistic expectations for myself.
The tasks feel overwhelming but you try to deal with the situation.
Insult yourself for not fulfilling expectations.

But here’s the surprise — more than your skills, your inner voice plays a crucial role in your musical growth. It can either support your progress or create obstacles. Negative thoughts like “I’m not good enough,” “I should be faster,” or “I’m failing again” generate mental noise, making it harder to focus on the music itself.

The Power of a Positive Inner Voice:

By cultivating a positive and constructive inner voice, you create a mindset that fosters improvement, creativity, and confidence. It’s like having an organized, clean workspace with a few helpful elements for your practice. Guide yourself with a meditative, encouraging voice that helps you stay engaged and motivated.

How to Visualize the Second Person:

When you practice, there’s always a “second person” present: your inner voice or critical listener. Imagine that person standing in front of you. How would you treat a small puppy learning to run? Would you be harsh, or would you be kind and patient with it?

This second person, and how they act towards you, plays a crucial role in shaping your progress and musical experience. If this voice is overly critical or negative, it can hinder your focus and creativity. Cultivating a supportive and constructive “second person” allows you to stay motivated, concentrate on the music, and approach your practice sessions with clarity and purpose.

Transformative Exercise: Reframing Your Thoughts

Every time you identify negative thoughts from your inner voice, try to “recycle” that thought and make it constructive. If you have repetitive thoughts, it’s a good idea to write down the positive “remake” of that thought. Here are some examples of how to reframe common negative thoughts:

Instead of thinking: “I should be faster.”

Reframe it to: “I need to focus on precision rather than speed.”
Instead of thinking: “My speed isn’t enough.”

Reframe it to: “My technique is improving with each practice session.”
Instead of thinking: “My solo isn’t good.”

Reframe it to: “My solos are a work in progress, and every session helps me improve.”
Instead of thinking: “My music isn’t up to the mark.”

Reframe it to: “My music is evolving toward the vision I have in mind.”

By paying attention to the nuances of our playing (e.g., dynamics, articulation, tone), we can refine our technical control and achieve precision.

Why Should You Pay Attention to Your Inner Voice?

Your inner voice shapes your experience and progress. Negative thoughts can act as roadblocks, but if you foster a nurturing, positive mindset, you can transform your practice into a journey of growth and self-improvement.

Practice and Exercises as a Conversation:

Practice sessions are more than just exercises — they are a conversation between the music and ourselves. If our mental state is tormenting, our practice session might reflect that inner conflict.

Recommendation:

Start your sessions with a nurturing moment of meditation. Visualize your objectives for the session, speaking kindly to yourself about your goals. This can help you enter a positive, constructive mindset that fosters growth and keeps you engaged in the process.