In The Mindful Musician: Mental Skills for Peak Performance, author Vanessa Cornett offers guidelines to help musicians cultivate artistic vision, objectivity, freedom, quiet awareness, and self-compassion, both on- and offstage in order to become more resilient performers. Contrary to modern culture's embrace of busyness and divided attention, Cornett's contemplative techniques provide greater space for artistic self-expression and satisfaction. With the aid of a companion website that includes audio files and downloadable templates, The Mindful Musician provides a method to promote attentional focus, self-assessment, emotional awareness, and creativity. The first of its kind to combine mindfulness practices with research in cognitive and sport psychology, this book helps musicians explore the roots of anxiety and other challenges related to performance, all through the deliberate focus of awareness.

PrefaceAcknowledgementsAbout the Companion WebsiteChapter 1: The Mindful MusicianChapter 2 Habits of Successful PerformersChapter 3 Music and the Mind: Performance Anxiety and Other ChallengesChapter 4 Mindful Performance PsychologyChapter 5 The Art of Mindful Breathing and RelaxationChapter 6 Imagery for Peak PerformanceChapter 7 Mindfulness Practice and Meditation for MusiciansChapter 8 The Mindful Achiever: Practical Applications for Long-Term SuccessChapter 9 The Mindful Visionary: More Practical Applications for Long-Term SuccessReferences