Saddle up. This one may be longer than usual but I want to kick off with some fundamentals and a number of solid examples. We’ll be revisiting the concepts below (and many others) at later dates, because there are innumerable ways that they can be applied. Consider this a bit of a primer on where things are headed.
When we think about getting better as musicians, it’s easy to focus on time spent practicing, the repertoire we’re working on, or technical drills. But what if there was a way to improve without simply adding hours in the practice room? That’s where mental models come in. Mental models are powerful thinking tools—ways to approach problems and decision-making more effectively. For musicians, they can help us become more efficient, creative, and resilient in everything from practice to performance to career planning. And don’t worry—this isn’t about stuffy philosophy! Think of mental models as your new backstage hacks for taking your music to the next level.
What Are Mental Models?
Mental models are like brain shortcuts that help us see things more clearly. They’re tools we can use to make better decisions and understand complex challenges more easily. And here’s the best part: musicians are primed for this kind of thinking. With practice, mental models can help you improve every part of your musical life—from mastering that tricky passage to organizing your career goals.
Let’s explore some specific ways that mental models can transform your approach to music.
First Principles Thinking: Break It Down to Build It Up
One of the most fundamental mental models is first principles thinking. Instead of getting bogged down by surface details, this approach helps you break a problem down to its core components and build up from there. This one is especially handy when you’re feeling overwhelmed in the practice room.
Musical Example
Let’s say you’re tackling a challenging jazz solo or a complex fill. Rather than mindlessly repeating it, break it down to the essentials. Focus on just the rhythm first—maybe tapping it out slowly on one surface, or clapping it if you’re away from your instrument. Once you have the rhythm locked in, add in the melody or harmonies layer by layer. You’re stripping the problem down to its basics and rebuilding, which makes it far more manageable (and effective).
How to Apply It
The next time you’re facing a piece that seems overly complex, don’t just dive in. Instead, strip it down to its key parts and tackle each separately. By rebuilding it piece by piece, you’re setting a stronger foundation that can handle even the trickiest passages.
The 80/20 Rule: Focus on What Moves the Needle
The 80/20 Rule, or Pareto Principle, suggests that roughly 20% of what you’re doing likely leads to 80% of your results. For musicians, this model is a game-changer in focusing your time and energy where it counts the most.
Musical Example
In practice, maybe you find that 20% of your exercises lead to most of your improvement. For instance, those scales and arpeggios you reluctantly warm up with? They might actually be doing more for your technique than the other 80% of your routine. Or when preparing for a gig, maybe focusing on those few challenging sections in a piece will smooth out the rest of your performance.
How to Apply It
Take a look at your practice routine. Which exercises or techniques give you the most noticeable improvement? Lean into those areas first. And in the bigger picture, think about how this might apply to your music career. What are the 20% of gigs, relationships, or creative projects that are driving most of your success? Focus on those for maximum impact.
Compartmentalization: Separate Practice from Performance
Compartmentalization is the mental model of keeping things in separate “mental boxes” so that they don’t bleed into each other. It’s invaluable when you want to switch from practice mode to performance mode without dragging any stress or overthinking along with you.
Musical Example
During practice, your aim is to explore, to experiment, and, yes, to make mistakes. But during a show, your mindset should shift to delivering the best performance possible. When we don’t compartmentalize, it’s easy for practice habits (like second-guessing) to creep into a performance, which can lead to nervousness or feeling ill-prepared.
How to Apply It
Before a performance, take a moment to mentally “close the door” on your practice room. Remind yourself that now is the time to trust your preparation and enjoy the moment. Compartmentalization helps keep nerves at bay and keeps you grounded on stage, whether you’re in a cozy coffee shop or in a packed auditorium.
The Map is Not the Territory: Embrace Imperfection in Performance
This mental model, “the map is not the territory,” is a reminder that reality is often different from the ideas or plans we make. For musicians, it’s the difference between our mental image of a perfect performance and the authentic, spontaneous moments that occur when we’re on stage.
Musical Example
Rehearsals may give you a “map” of how a piece should sound, but every performance is its own adventure. Maybe the crowd is more energetic than expected, or maybe there’s an unexpected issue with your in-ear monitors. Embracing the quirks and staying flexible is what makes live music so unique—and often more enjoyable for you and your audience.
How to Apply It
Practice being open to whatever happens in the moment. Perfection can be tempting, but real-life performances have their own vibe. Remember that the music will never sound exactly like it does in your mind (nor will you likely produce it exactly the same way twice) and that’s part of the magic.
Inversion: Ask Yourself the Opposite Question
Inversion is a powerful mental model where we flip the script. Perhaps instead of asking, “How can I improve?” you ask, “What could make things worse?” For musicians, this might help clarify what habits or mindsets are actually holding us back.
Musical Example
If you’re struggling with a section, instead of asking “What can I add to improve this?” try asking “What should I avoid here?” Maybe it’s rushing through tricky parts or skipping warm-ups. By identifying what would create problems, you can start eliminating these roadblocks and improve more quickly.
How to Apply It
The next time you’re feeling stuck, try using inversion. Ask yourself, “What things would lead to a terrible practice or a bad performance?” Avoid those, and you’ll already be on a better path!
Feedback Loops: Build and Adjust Quickly
Feedback loops are cycles of action and response that guide our growth. They’re a fantastic mental model for musicians, because feedback (of course, we’re not talking about the beyond-unpleasant Larsen effect you’ve likely experienced on stage) helps us course-correct in real time, speeding up improvement.
Musical Example
Recording yourself while you practice is one of the most effective feedback loops. You play, listen back, and make adjustments—all in one session. It’s like having a “mini-coach” in the room with you, letting you spot strengths and weaknesses more quickly and clearly than you might otherwise notice.
How to Apply It
Set up your own feedback loops by recording practice sessions or doing quick self-assessments after performances. Create a habit of evaluating yourself honestly and consistently, and watch as your music improves in noticeable ways.
Wrapping It Up: How Mental Models Can Level Up Your Musical Journey
Mental models might sound abstract, but they offer concrete ways to improve your practice sessions, ease your performance jitters, and even build your career. Each model opens up new pathways to growth, making it easier to tackle whatever comes your way. The next time you’re faced with a musical challenge, try thinking about it from one of these new perspectives. You might be surprised by how much a small shift in your thinking can change your playing, your career, and your overall love for music.
Thanks for joining me on this mental and musical journey! These ideas are meant to be tools in your creative toolkit, empowering you to see your music and yourself in new ways.
Happy music making–
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Comments
2 responses to “Why Mental Models Matter for Musicians: Using Thinking Tools to Improve Practice, Performance, and Your Music Career”
I’ve already accidently used a few of these, just this morning. I had been stuck in “How can I improve?” mode. But this morning I asked myself “How am I already making it worse?” A few experiments recorded and reviewed for feedback, interspersed with some follow up questions, led me to discover that the upper end of my range doesn’t sound as painful as it does in my head. I had been avoiding it because of my own bias against loud high-pitched sounds in my environment. That was it! The whole problem. Now, the song is closer to being done than it has ever been. It will be helpful knowing that I’m not just my own worst critic, but also my own worst obstacle. Hurray for personal growth!
Hurray indeed! Isn’t it wild how flipping the question can flip your perspective? Cheers to breakthroughs and getting that song closer to the finish line!