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.