How Your Thoughts Can Betray Your Guitar Performance
Have you ever played perfectly during practice only to fall apart when someone is listening? Or found yourself thinking “don't mess up” right before you inevitably mess up? The problem might not be your fingers, but what's happening in your mind.
The connection between our thoughts and physical performance is powerful and often overlooked by guitarists. Understanding this relationship can be the key to breaking through performance barriers that technique practice alone can't fix…
The Performance-Destroying Inner Monologue
When you're playing well, you're likely in a state of flow… fully absorbed in the music without excessive analytical thought. But under pressure, a destructive inner dialogue often emerges…
“Don't mess up this part”
“Everyone will notice if I make a mistake”
“I always struggle with this section”
These thoughts create a self-fulfilling prophecy. Your attention splits between playing and worrying, robbing you of the focus needed for complex physical tasks. Your hands tense up. Your timing falters. And suddenly, you're playing well below your actual ability.
Negative Visualisation in Action
When you tell yourself “don't mess up”, your brain actually visualises messing up. It's like telling someone “don't think of a pink elephant”… the image immediately comes to mind. Your brain doesn't process the “don't” very effectively, focusing instead on the “mess up” part.
This phenomenon explains why guitarists often make mistakes at exactly the spots they were most worried about. Your thoughts literally prepared your body to fail.
Reclaiming Mental Control
Fortunately, this same mind-body connection can work in your favour when properly directed. Replace negative instructions with positive ones… Instead of “don't mess up”, think:
“Play smoothly”
“This solo section is fun to play”
Focus on the sound you want to create rather than the movements of your fingers. Your body knows how to execute the physical movements when your mind isn't interfering.
Practice performing. Set up mock performance situations regularly, like playing for friends or recording yourself. This desensitises you to performance pressure.
The Concentration Sweet Spot
Too little concentration and you make careless errors. Too much concentration on technical details and you become stiff and mechanical. The goal is finding the middle ground… what sports psychologists call “relaxed concentration”.
Try focusing on the broader musical phrases rather than individual notes. This keeps your mind engaged but not overly analytical, allowing your muscle memory to work properly.
Building Mental Resilience
Mental practice is just as important as physical practice. Before your next performance, spend time visualising yourself playing confidently and enjoying the experience. See yourself recovering smoothly from any small mistakes.
When negative thoughts arise during practice, don't fight them… acknowledge them briefly, then redirect your focus to something constructive about your playing.
Remember that everyone, from beginners to professionals, deals with these mental challenges. The difference isn't in whether they experience unhelpful thoughts, but in how they manage them.
Your guitar playing can only be as good as your thoughts allow it to be. By understanding and directing your mental processes, you unlock the full potential of your physical abilities.
Get in Touch to Book a Free Trial Session
Based in Stratford, East London, we offer expert guitar and bass tuition for all ages and skill levels.
Looking to improve your playing or master new techniques? Click below to book your free trial session.
Looking to improve your playing or master new techniques? Click below to book your free trial session.
Call us at 02031434809
Send an email to lessons@guitartuitioneastlondon.co.uk
Guitar Tuition East London
8-10 Penny Brookes Street,
London, E20 1BN
8-10 Penny Brookes Street,
London, E20 1BN
