The Mind Over Finger Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Many musicians feel stuck in a single career path, believing that success means following a traditional trajectory. But what if true success is about expanding, not staying locked into one role?

In this episode, tubist Jarrett McCourt shares his journey from performing with world-class orchestras to building a career and life that align with his values. We discuss:

• Why career pivots aren’t about quitting but about growth
• How redefining success can lead to more fulfillment
• The role of mental health and self-acceptance in performance
• What musicians get wrong about hustle and burnout

If you’ve ever questioned your path in music or wondered what’s next, this episode is for you.

Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let’s connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let’s start turning your goals into reality.

Book your free consultation with Renée HERE

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

MORE ABOUT JARRETT MCCOURT

Website:  https://jarrettmccourt.com/

YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@JarrettMcCourt

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jarrett.mccourt/

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

You practice, you prepare, but when it’s time to perform, your confidence vanishes. Why does this happen? In this episode, we break down the biggest myths about confidence that might be holding you back.

You’ll learn:

• Why confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build
• How common misconceptions make confidence feel harder than it needs to be
• A simple mindset shift that can help you feel more secure in your playing

Listen now and start building real confidence in your music-making.

If you’re ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let’s talk! Book a free discovery call and let’s create a plan to get you there.

Book your free consultation with Renée HERE

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

In this episode, I share how gratitude can transform the way you approach music. We’ll explore:

• Why gratitude isn’t just a feel-good concept—it’s a powerful mindset for growth.
• How gratitude shifts focus from frustration to possibility.
• Real-life examples of how gratitude boosts motivation, builds resilience, and fosters confidence.

Plus, I’ll walk you through a quick 3-minute gratitude exercise that will supercharge your practice and performance.

Book your free consultation with Renée HERE

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffre

Rachel is also the founder of the RBP Foundation, which assists young artists through its instrument loan program, as well as providing scholarships and grants for education and career development. Through the RPB Foundation, Rachel also leads the groundbreaking organization Music by Black Composers which she started in 2001 to spread awareness of work by Black composers and make that music available to all through online and printed collections.

Rachel holds prizes from several of the world’s leading competitions, including a gold medal at the 1992 J.S. Bach International Violin Competition in Leipzig, Germany.

This is an impactful conversation that I’m sure you’ll want to revisit often! Here’s what we discussed:

• How Rachel’s artistic path has unfolded (04:00)
• Advice for handling large amounts of repertoire, and her own process for scheduling piece preparation, practice and performance (05:50)
• Rachel’s experience with last-minute replacements, specifically when she performed with the Chicago Symphony with 4-hour notice (15:30)
• The element of facial expressions in conjunction with musical expression (23:50)
• Her journey with teaching and practicing parents, both as one herself and practicing with her own mother growing up (32:20)
• How and why Rachel began the RBP Foundation, their mission, and some ways they support young, aspiring musicians (35:20)
• How and why she founded the organization Music by Black Composers, and how their resources have developed over the years (38:41)
• A series of rapid-fire questions, including habits that have contributed to her success (48:00), nurturing creativity in young musicians (49:07), and the importance of weekly planning (53:00)
• How valuable it is to allow yourself the time and space you need to improve, without comparing yourself to others (56:55)
• Rachel’s upcoming projects (59:25)

LINKS:

Website: https://rachelbartonpine.com/

Link to Rachel’s CD, Violin Concertos by Black Composers of the 18th and 19th Centuries: https://www.cedillerecords.org/albums/violin-concertos-by-black-composers-of-the-18th-and-19th-centuries/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/RachelBartonPine

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RBPviolinist/

Instagram: @RBPviolinist

RBP Foundation website: https://www.rbpfoundation.org/

Music by Black Composers website: https://www.musicbyblackcomposers.org/

MIND OVER FINGER:

I encourage you to visit MindOverFinger.com for a plethora of resources on mindful practice and information on how to work with me.

Sign up for my newsletter and receive your free guide to a highly productive mindful practice using a metronome!

• mindoverfinger.com
• https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger
• https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

PRACTICING FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE:

Practicing for Peak Performance, my transformative workshop, is now available for download. Go to MindOverFinger.com for access to all the tools that will help you transform your practice, gain confidence in your process, and start performing at your best. 

With the purchase of PPP, you gain:

• Access to all recorded content - over 7 hours of instruction
• Guidance in effective high-performance systems
• Detailed handouts

THANK YOU:

A HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly, who works really hard to make this podcast as pleasant to listen to as possible for you.

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme.  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

Thank you to pianist-singer-song-writer Louise Kelly for the introduction!  You can find out more about Kelly and her creative work by visiting louisekelly.com. 

How to reconnect with your love of music

This week in the Try it at Home series, we unpack the wisdom of Kelly McGarry and Jesus Saenz from Musicians for the World and apply it in our lives.

"Remember why we do what we do. It's easy to get tunnel-vision and to sucked into all of it. But just remember: we do this because we love it. Find things to remind yourself of that."  - Kelley McGarry, Mind Over Finger Podcast Episode 117

Just for you, I’ve created a free resource that has all the steps I’m about to share.  Download it HERE to follow along and continue the reflection after the episode.  You can also find the link at www.mindroverfinger.com/resources.

Catch their conversation with me in Episode 117 of the Mind Over Finger Podcast.

GRAB YOUR FREE GUIDE TO REMEMBERING YOUR WHY HERE

Today I have two wonderful guests for you -  Kelley McGarry and Jesus Sáenz. These two musicians were brought together by a desire to make music accessible to all, and when the pandemic hit, founded Musicians for the World.

Musicians for the World is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating “a world where opportunity is accessible to those who dream of it, no matter their geographic location or socioeconomic standing.”

They’ve created global partnerships with schools in several countries (likely not the first countries you’d think of!), collaborations with festivals, universities, and competitions, and they hold masterclass series with world-class artists.

Kelley and Jesus have already made such a difference in the world through music, and will only continue to spread music education across the globe. Make sure to stick around to the episode for ways that you can help today!

In our conversation, we discuss:

• How Jesus and Kelley each found their starts in music (2:53)
• The origin story of Musicians of the World and what’s behind their mission (5:29)
• Particularly fun anecdotes from students, and some of the professional musicians Musicians of the World has partnered with to teach classes (10:33)
• The impact their organization has not just on their students’ playing, but their own playing, and the musicianship of the other teachers they work with (15:33)
• What we could do today to start creating change through music… starting with Google! (19:40)
• The doubts and resistance they have met while running this nonprofit, as well as some of the brightest moments from this journey (21:55)
• Tools that have been particularly efficient for their own playing and for their students (27:41)

LINKS:

• Website: https://www.musiciansfortheworld.org/
• Contact Form: https://www.musiciansfortheworld.org/contact
• Where to Donate: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/musiciansfortheworld
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiciansfortheworld/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Musicians-For-The-World-Inc-104639074609306/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMgD-F6Y8ifh8eCeyE9NFg

MIND OVER FINGER:

I encourage you to visit MindOverFinger.com for a plethora of resources on mindful practice and information on how to work with me.

Sign up for my newsletter and receive your free guide to a highly productive mindful practice using a metronome!

• www.mindoverfinger.com
• https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger
• https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

PRACTICING FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE:

I’m excited to tell you that Practicing for Peak Performance, my transformative workshop, is now available for download! Go to MindOverFinger.com for access to all the tools that will help you transform your practice, gain confidence in your process, and start performing at your best. 

With the purchase of PPP, you gain:

• Access to all recorded content - over 7 hours of instruction
• Guidance in effective high-performance systems
• Detailed handouts

THANK YOU:

A HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly, who works really hard to make this podcast as pleasant to listen to as possible for you.

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme.  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

Thank you to pianist-singer-song-writer Louise Kelly for the introduction!  You can find out more about Kelly and her creative work by visiting louisekelly.com. 

“Our work as artists and as citizens in the world is to literally stand in the gap.” -  Vijay Gupta, Mind Over Finger Podcast Episode 115

Welcome to the first episode of this try it at home series!  In those episodes, you will get suggestions on how you can take the actionable tip from the latest interview of the Mind Over Finger Podcast, try it at home, and make it your own! 

Let’s unpack this awesome wisdom together and apply it in our lives. 

And: just for you, I’ve created a free resource that has all the steps I’m about to share.  Download it here to follow along and continue the reflection after the episode. 

You can also find the link at mindroverfinger.com/resources.

This week: the wisdom of violinist and citizen-artist, Vijay Gupta

Catch Vijay’s conversation with me on the Mind Over Finger Podcast in episode 115

Welcome to the first Mind Over Finger Podcast episode of 2022! There are many exciting things coming up this year, including the Joyful Practice Challenge. Learn more in the intro to this episode!

There’s no better way to welcome in the new year than with today’s special guest: musician, speaker, and citizen-artist Vijay Gupta. His work embodies the belief that the work of artists and citizens is one: to make a daily practice of the world we envision.

We cover:

• His musical path from a childhood adoration for music to his multifaceted professional career today (6:57)
• What drew him away from the LA Philharmonic toward his work to, as he put it, “show up to the world through performing chamber music” (14:50)
• How playing Schumann in the Twin Towers Correctional Facility helped to recontextualize his view of the role of musicians to provide humanity with nourishment (19:44)
• His answer to the question: What is citizenship?, and how he chooses to think of musical currency (23:00)
• How his views on communicating and the purpose of music influences his approach to playing pieces (alongside the social context of their composition) (24:56)
• Some ways every musician can go out and serve our own communities (30:05)
• Diving into the process Vijay is taking to record the Six Bach Sonatas (34:30)
• Vijay’s redefinition of success, the importance of learning how to learn, and his favorite practice room tool (41:12)
• And finally, the incredible actionable tip that left me speechless (50:19)

Vijay is the founder and Artistic Director of Street Symphony, a community of musicians creating spaces of connection for people in reentry from homelessness, addiction and incarceration in Los Angeles. He received the 2018 MacArthur Fellowship for his work as co-founder of the Skid Row Arts Alliance, a consortium dedicated to creating art for – and with – the largest homeless community in America.

As an international recitalist, soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral musician for over 20 years, Vijay has created a multifaceted and holistic career. I am so happy to share this conversation with you. 

LINKS:

• Website: https://guptaviolin.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guptaviolin/
• Bandcamp: https://guptaviolin.bandcamp.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGjIVIprbRwiQCV9RBnOl4Q
• Street Symphony Website: https://www.streetsymphony.org/
• Street Symphony Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/streetsymph/

MIND OVER FINGER:

I encourage you to visit MindOverFinger.com for a plethora of resources on mindful practice and information on how to work with me.

Sign up for my newsletter and receive your free guide to a highly productive mindful practice using a metronome!

• mindoverfinger.com
• https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger
• https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

PRACTICING FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE:

I’m excited to tell you that Practicing for Peak Performance, my transformative workshop, is now available for download! Go to MindOverFinger.com for access to all the tools that will help you transform your practice, gain confidence in your process, and start performing at your best. 

With the purchase of PPP, you gain:

• Access to all recorded content - over 7 hours of instruction
• Guidance in effective high-performance systems
• Detailed handouts

THANK YOU:

A HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly, who works really hard to make this podcast as pleasant to listen to as possible for you.

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme.  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

Thank you to pianist-singer-song-writer Louise Kelly for the introduction!  You can find out more about Kelly and her creative work by visiting louisekelly.com.

I can’t wait for you to hear this week’s conversation with the inspiring  Jennifer Montone.

Jennifer is the Grammy-Award-Winning Principal Horn of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and a world acclaimed soloist, chamber musician and teacher. She’s been on the faculty at the Curtis Institute of Music and the Juilliard School since joining the orchestra in 2006.     

She regularly performs as a soloist with orchestras such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Saint Louis Symphony, the Dallas Symphony, the National Symphony, the Polish National Radio Symphony, the Warsaw National Philharmonic, among others.  She’s an active recording artist with several albums under her belt and she performs as a chamber musician in festivals and on stages across the world.

 In May 2006 Jennifer was awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant. She is also the winner of the 1996 Paxman Young Horn Player of the Year Award in London, England.  

 Jennifer shares fantastic insight in our conversation, including:

• How Jennifer’s artistic path has unfolded throughout her career (4:10)
• The importance of music in conjunction with education, and the education that can be taken from attending orchestral concerts (7:42)
• What her life looks like as a musician in a professional orchestra, and how it differs from her early expectations (11:07)
• How negative mindsets and nerves prevent us from improving, how to find a balance with your own mindset, and how she settles into her own (14:26)
• Particular steps Jennifer takes when she knows she will be in a potentially stressful situation or performance to help tap into a “flow state” (21:35)
• Why preparation for major repertoire (especially for the first time) should include learning the history and context surrounding its composition as well as studying the score  (29:16)
• The balance Jennifer has found between her work and personal lives and how she achieved it (33:26)
• What surprises her the most about professional orchestra life (spoiler alert: it’s the camaraderie of fellow musicians!) (39:45)
• And finally Jennifer answers some rapid-fire questions, sharing the resistance she’s faced along her journey, advice for young musicians, her favorite warm-ups, advice she’d like to pass on to all the listeners, and an actionable tip you can try today (44:30)

LINKS:

Website: https://www.jenmontone.com/

PRACTICING FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE:

I’m excited to tell you that Practicing for Peak Performance, my transformative workshop, is now available for download! Go to MindOverFinger.com for access to all the tools that will help you transform your practice, gain confidence in your process, and start performing at your best. 

With the purchase of PPP, you gain:

• Access to all recorded content - over 7 hours of instruction
• Guidance in effective high-performance systems
• Detailed handouts
• For a limited time only, a free 30-minute consultation with me.

MIND OVER FINGER:

As we head into this new season, I encourage you to visit MindOverFinger.com for a plethora of resources on mindful practice and information on how to work with me.

Sign up for my newsletter and receive your free guide to a highly productive mindful practice using a metronome!

• www.mindoverfinger.com
• https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger
• https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

A HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly, who works really hard to make this podcast as pleasant to listen to as possible for you.

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme.  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

Thank you to pianist-singer-song-writer Louise Kelly for the introduction!  You can find out more about Kelly and her creative work by visiting louisekelly.com. 

I had a fantastic conversation with Elizabeth Rowe that I can’t wait to share with you today!

Elizabeth is the principal flutist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.  She’s a professional coach, teacher, social justice advocate, and public speaker. She has been hailed by The Boston Globe as a Bostonian of the Year following the lawsuit she won in 2018, demanding equal pay from her employer. Since then, she has continued to start conversations and advocate for equity and inclusion across all facets of today’s orchestras.

She also runs a successful coaching practice,  supporting creative people of all types as they work to achieve their biggest vision for their personal and professional lives while remaining true to themselves.  Her latest program, Your Tenure Team, supports and equips musicians to prepare for and successfully navigate the orchestral tenure process. 

In our discussion, Elizabeth shared  incredible insight on a plethora of topics, including:

• How Elizabeth’s musical journey has unfolded (2:50)
• Elizabeth’s vision for the future of the tenure process, and her own “Turning the Tables On Tenure” (4:21)
• Addressing questions around how we respond to critical feedback, perform as professional musicians, and give ourselves space to think as artists (8:55)
• How to show up as better colleagues and more positive influences in the workplace as professional musicians (10:30)
• The development of Elizabeth’s career as the principal flutist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and what it looks like for her today (13:42)
• Advice for young musicians who are struggling with finding a mindful balance between work and rest (18:14)
• Elizabeth’s advocacy work, specifically pay equity, a realistic looks at what the classical world looks like now, and fostering conversations to transform today’s orchestras into a more inclusive, equitable, and welcome place for all (22:08)
• Oppositions and alternatives to a scarcity mindset when it comes to considering pay equity (and other changes) within modern orchestras (25:56)
• How learning to use recording in her practice sessions early contributed to her success (28:44) 
• The importance of communication skills and developing a balanced life (31:50)
• And finally, Elizabeth gives two actionable tips: one for the practice room and one for your overall well-being as an artist (35:15)

LINKS:

• Elizabeth’s guide, Turning the Tables on Tenure: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/613f44067accb4c021020826
• Your Tenure Team, Elizabeth’s new small-group program beginning January 2022: https://www.yourtenureteam.com/
• Website: IAmElizabethRowe.com
• Instagram: @IAmElizabethRowe
• Facebook: IamElizabeth Rowe

PRACTICING FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE:

I’m excited to tell you that Practicing for Peak Performance, my transformative workshop, is now available for download! Go to MindOverFinger.com for access to all the tools that will help you transform your practice, gain confidence in your process, and start performing at your best. 

With the purchase of PPP, you gain:

• Access to all recorded content - over 7 hours of instruction
• Guidance in effective high-performance systems
• Detailed handouts
• For a limited time only, a free 30-minute consultation with me.

MIND OVER FINGER:

As we head into this new season, I encourage you to visit MindOverFinger.com for a plethora of resources on mindful practice and information on how to work with me.

Sign up for my newsletter and receive your free guide to a highly productive mindful practice using a metronome!

• www.mindoverfinger.com
• https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger
• https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

A HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly, who works really hard to make this podcast as pleasant to listen to as possible for you.

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme.  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

Thank you to pianist-singer-song-writer Louise Kelly for the introduction!  You can find out more about Kelly and her creative work by visiting louisekelly.com.