207 Zlatomir Fung: Flow, Fundamentals, and Fearless Performance
Release Date: 11/01/2024
230 Stuck in Practice? How Joy Unlocks Focus, Progress, and Consistency - Reset & Rise Series #2
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
In this episode, I share powerful takeaways from 13 renowned performers and educators, including Rachel Barton Pine, Tom Hooten, Kim Kashkashian, Vijay Gupta, and Elizabeth Rowe. Discover how world-class musicians use joy, curiosity, and presence to stay focused, avoid burnout, and make meaningful progress. You’ll walk away with practical tips and mindset shifts you can apply to your own practice today. If you're ready to hit the ground running come September, is your blueprint. This step-by-step course gives you the exact system to practice smarter, perform with...
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229 Joy-Driven Practice – Reignite Your Practice with Curiosity, Calm, and Creativity - Your Reset & Rise Series #1
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
This episode kicks off the Reset and Rise summer transformation series with the Joyful Practice Challenge. You’ll explore simple prompts designed to help you reconnect with presence, boost effectiveness, and bring more curiosity, calm, and creativity into your practice. If your playing has felt heavy or disconnected, this is the reset you’ve been looking for. If you're ready to hit the ground running come September, is your blueprint. This step-by-step course gives you the exact system to practice smarter, perform with confidence, and build unstoppable momentum. Enroll this...
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228 Not Ready Yet? What Musicians Miss When They Wait to Leap
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
In this episode, we explore one of the biggest mindset blocks musicians face: the belief that you're not ready. I break down why waiting for readiness keeps you stuck and how taking action before you feel 100% prepared is often the key to growth. You'll learn: · Why “I’m not ready” is usually fear in disguise · What it really looks like to take action before you feel prepared · How top musicians move forward despite uncertainty ...
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227 Hijacked by Fear – What to Do When Your Mind Turns Against You On Stage
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
In this episode, we explore why overthinking and fear take over in performance, even when you’re fully prepared. You’ll learn what’s really happening in your brain under pressure, why trying to fight fear often makes it worse, and what you can do to build trust in yourself again. If you’ve ever felt like your own mind is your biggest obstacle on stage, this episode is for you. And if if you’re tired of second-guessing yourself and ready to start performing with confidence and calm, join us inside the Music Mastery Experience. MME is a full year of high-level coaching,...
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226 Stuck or Soaring? What Musicians Gain When They Bet on Themselves
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
In this episode, I explore one of the most important (and most avoided) questions musicians face: Is investing in yourself really worth it? You'll hear: How to tell the difference between an expense and an investment The hidden cost of staying stuck Why self-investment often leads to faster, deeper growth Real stories from clients who hesitated and what changed when they said yes The mindset shift that helps musicians build lasting progress If you’ve been feeling like you’re doing everything you can but still not moving forward, this episode offers a fresh perspective and a path toward...
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225 Beyond the Notes – Nikki Chooi on Musicality, Adaptability, and Artistic Growth
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
In this episode, violinist Nikki Chooi shares how he rebuilt trust in his playing after formal training, refined his approach to practicing, and found balance between precision and expression in performance. We talk about: How to blend slow and fast practice effectively The role of “adversity training” in audition preparation Practicing musicality with intention What changes when you stop chasing perfection and start trusting your process Why adaptability and balance are essential to long-term growth If you're in a season of transition or looking to reconnect with your...
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224 Stage Freeze – Why Everything You Know Disappears Under Pressure
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
You’ve practiced the techniques. You’ve done the mindset work. But when it’s time to perform, everything seems to disappear. In this episode, I explore why musicians often struggle to access what they know under pressure and what to do about it. You'll learn: Why your tools vanish in performance, even when you know they work How over-focusing on control can disconnect you from the music The real difference between skill prep and pressure prep One small, practical shift to help you reconnect with your strengths on stage If you're done guessing, spinning your wheels, or...
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223 Unlock Your Edge – Discover the Reflection Practice That Transforms How You Perform
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
If you’ve ever felt stuck, even though you know what to do, this episode is for you. I’m sharing the five key prompts from The Musician’s Edge Challenge that have helped hundreds of musicians gain clarity, uncover what’s holding them back, and perform with more confidence. In this episode, you’ll explore: A moment when your playing felt effortless and what it reveals about your potential A strength you’ve been underestimating and how to lead with it The real challenge that keeps showing up under pressure A pattern that’s been running in the background and how to...
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222 When Practice Isn’t Fun Anymore - What to Do When Music Stops Feeling Inspiring
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
In this episode, I share a personal story about preparing for a major event—and struggling to find joy in the process. We explore: Why it’s normal to feel disconnected from familiar repertoire How to stay motivated when the spark is gone A mindset shift to help you keep showing up Practical tools to bring freshness back into your practice How reconnecting to your purpose can carry you through challenging times If you’re ready to build consistency, confidence, and performance readiness without the overwhelm, The Music Mastery Experience is for you. Inside this...
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221 Nina DeCesare: Beyond the Notes - Practicing with Purpose and Building a More Inclusive Future
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
In this episode, bassist and educator Nina DeCesare shares the mindset and strategies that have helped her build a confident and fulfilling career in music. We explore what it means to practice with purpose, prepare for high-stakes performances, and create lasting change in the industry. Nina also talks about the Artemis Bass Initiative and how it’s supporting women and non-binary bassists through mentorship, training, and community. You’ll hear about: Her take on representation, mentorship, and the need for change in the orchestral world, and her work with the Artemis Bass...
info_outlineIn this episode, I sit down with cellist Zlatomir Fung to explore the art of practice, mental resilience, and building a sustainable life in music.
We discuss:
- The importance of mastering fundamentals and balancing them with complex repertoire
- How to achieve flow state on stage through curiosity and deliberate preparation
- Strategies for managing intrusive thoughts and staying grounded in high-pressure moments
- Insights into creating a fulfilling, purpose-driven career in music
Tune in to gain practical tips and inspiration from Zlatomir’s journey.
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 ZLATOMIR FUNG
Website: https://www.zlatomirfung.com/
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZCNT8-PCgY1Md-ZzjvAUQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zfungcello
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zfungcello
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.
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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.