225 Beyond the Notes – Nikki Chooi on Musicality, Adaptability, and Artistic Growth
Release Date: 05/16/2025
244 One Sentence to Change Your Year: How to turn resistance into real momentum
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
If you’ve ever had one of those days where you know what you should do, but everything in you wants to procrastinate, avoid, or zone out... this episode is for you. I’m sharing one of my favorite mindset tools: a simple sentence structure you can use when motivation is low, when self-doubt is loud, or when you just feel stuck. It’s a trick I return to again and again to get myself into action and back into alignment with who I want to become. Inside, you’ll hear exactly how it works, why it helps you make progress without needing a massive pep talk, and how to use it right away in...
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243 You’re Closer Than You Think: The Mindset Shift That Will Move the Needle
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
In this solo episode, Dr. Gauthier breaks down a powerful mindset shift that can transform your musical growth and career. If you're tired of working harder and still feeling stuck, this is the episode for you. 🎯 In this episode, you'll learn: · Why the “do, have, be” model keeps musicians burned out and unfulfilled · What the “be, do, have” approach looks like in real practice · How your identity is the hidden lever that drives...
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242 The Long Game Every Musician Needs to Play: Tim Higgins on Winning the Job, Finding Your Sound, and Staying Inspired
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
In this inspiring backstage pass conversation, Tim Higgins, principal trombone of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and acclaimed composer, arranger, and educator, shares the real work behind long-term success in music. Whether you're preparing for auditions or building artistic depth in your playing, this episode offers mindset shifts and practical tools you can apply today. In this episode, you’ll learn: · What Tim believes is at the core of audition success and how to train it with consistency ...
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241 Beyond the Practice Room: What Four Top Experts Want You to Know About Performance
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
In this special episode, recorded live at New World Symphony’s Wellness Week, four leading voices in musician wellness come together to share powerful strategies for navigating the mental, physical, and emotional demands of a music career. You’ll learn: · How to recover from a tough performance without spiraling into shame or self-doubt · The mindset shift that separates your identity from your results · Why your body holds the key to...
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240 You’re Not Unmotivated, You’re Believing the Wrong Thing: How to Reclaim Your Focus, Confidence, and Momentum
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
In this episode, you’ll learn: Why your current beliefs—not your ability—might be the real reason behind lack of motivation or progress How to spot the subtle thoughts that quietly shape your practice habits and performance results A powerful mindset shift that helps musicians move from self-doubt to self-trust The truth about where limiting beliefs come from—and how to start letting them go The difference between repeating affirmations and actually practicing belief How to use “bridge thoughts” to shift your mindset when a positive belief still feels out of reach ...
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239 Play With Purpose: Randall Goosby on Expression, Identity, and Musical Impact
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
In this inspiring conversation, violinist Randall Goosby shares how he balances technical mastery with deep artistic purpose. He offers insight into the mindset, values, and strategies that have shaped his unique approach to music-making—and how you can bring more meaning into your own playing. In this episode, you’ll hear about: · The shift from performance perfection to performance purpose · How Randall connects with his "why" to stay grounded and inspired ...
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238 Calm Under Pressure – The 3-Pillar Strategy to Beat Performance Anxiety and Play Your Best
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
Learn a clear, actionable framework to help you manage performance anxiety and play with confidence. · The 3 pillars: preparation, conditioning, and mind management · Why traditional advice doesn’t work · How to train your nervous system to support you · What to include in your practice for real performance readiness If you're ready to hit the ground running come September, ...
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237 Shift Your Results - The Simple Tool That Transforms Your Practice and Performance
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
Discover how to use the Self-Coaching Model to better understand your mindset, manage your emotions, and create lasting progress in your music. · Why mindset shapes your practice results · How to break the cycle of overwhelm and procrastination · The link between thoughts, feelings, actions, and outcomes · A clear tool to move from stuck to focused If you're ready to hit the ground...
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236 Master Your Mind – The Framework Musicians Need to Break Through
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
In this episode, you’ll learn a simple and powerful mindset tool that helps you understand and shift the thoughts, feelings, and actions that shape your musical results. · The five-part Self-Coaching Model explained · Why your thoughts, not circumstances, drive your outcomes · How to build awareness and take intentional action · A clear method to create calm, clarity, and confidence ...
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235 Sustainable Progress – 5 Practice Shifts That Prevent Burnout and Boost Results
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
This episode explores five mindset and strategy shifts that help you stay energized, focused, and motivated in your musical journey. · How overcommitting drains progress · Turning comparison into clarity · Why trying to impress holds you back · The value of giving yourself more prep time · Simple ways to bring joy back into your practice If you're ready to hit the...
info_outlineIn 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 artistry, this conversation offers valuable insights and inspiration.
The Music Mastery Experience is where we take ideas like these and turn them into transformation. It's a full year of coaching, structure, and deep support designed to help you perform with clarity, confidence, and joy. If this episode speaks to you, I invite you to apply today at mindoverfinger.com/mme25.
JOIN THE MUSIC MASTERY EXPERIENCE HERE
Download the transcript from this episode HERE
MORE ABOUT NIKKI CHOOI
Website: https://www.nikkichooi.com/
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nikkichooi
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikkichooi89/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikkichooi/
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.