Here are the answers to some of the most common questions that I get asked about the Music Performance Coaching work I do. If there are any questions you would like me to answer let me know and I will add to them (with the answers) to the list below:
Q: Will the I get the results in my music performances that I want from your coaching?
A:Â The short answer is ‘yes’. Getting the results you want is almost always achieved when the person being coached commits to the same level as the person providing the coaching.
My responsibility is to provide you with 100% + commitment to applying all of my skills and experience to help you overcome your challenge and enable you to transform your performance. Your responsibility is to ‘play full out’ and apply the tools and techniques in the session as directed. Doing this will get you the results you want almost without exception.
Q: Can you help me become more successful as a musician?
A: It depends what you define as ‘success’. Will I transform my music performance by working with you – yes, if you commit, you will, without a doubt.
Q: What coaching techniques do you use in your coaching?
A: I use a blend a range of techniques from cognitive psychology (NLP, Time Empowerment) and Meridian Energy Therapy (EFT, EmoTrance) to help you achieve the complete emotional freedom and state you want to deliver a memorable performance.
[These techniques are described in further detail elsewhere on this FAQs page.]
Q: Is there a specific coaching technique will work for me?
A: The honest answer is, until we meet – either face to face or via Skype – and discuss the problem at hand, it is impossible to know. All coaching is tailored for the specific, personal needs of each client.
Q: How is your coaching different from my music lessons?
A: Music lessons focus on what to play – that is how to read the little black dots and physically make a sound with your instrument (including the voice) that corresponds to the notes on the page.
Music lessons focus on acquiring the motor skills and intellectual understanding of how to play your instrument and/or sing. Your music lessons will also focus on developing and understanding of the theory of music (e.g. harmony, counterpoint, rhythm, form etc) as well as practical performance.
Music Performance Coaching focuses on the creating the right mindset and state you need to be able to play beyond the notes with absolute emotional freedom and presence so as to be free to channel your music (or the music in front of you) with your own individual artistic vitality and authenticity.
Music Performance Coaching enables you to deliver an outstanding performance anytime, whatever the performing situation, consistently.
Q: Do you cure physical conditions?
A: The work I do is no substitute for the work of the medical profession. My work is complementary to scientific based, Western medicine and deals with the emotional components of disease (or more accurately, dis-ease) and presenting problems such as occupational injury or stress.
Working with the emotional aspects of a presenting problem often produces profound shifts with a client to enable them to transcend their ability to perform.
Where appropriate, it may be necessary for me to refer you first to seek a professional medical opinion. Please note, for some presenting problems, I require a formal referral note from your Doctor or physician.
Q: How many sessions will I need?
A: The number of sessions needed really depends on the nature of the issue that we are going to be working on. Your needs are reviewed and discussed with you individually on a case by case basis
My personal preference is to help a musician overcome their challenge(s) in as few sessions as possible so as to go on to be more productive and more successful as quickly as possible. I believe we have all the resources inside us that we need to overcome our challenges and what is needed is an awareness of these resources to be able to activate them.
As a general guide, when you register with me as a client, our work together should be completed at the end of 3 sessions. To be crystal clear though, the number of sessions depends on the problem and your own personal preferences for receiving coaching.
The length of specific, fixed coaching programs are based on prior experience of working on those types of issues and blocks and are specifically designed to achieve your success.
Q: I don’t want a coaching program, do you do individual coaching sessions?
A: Yes I do. These are available either in person or via Skype. Please email me to discuss your individual requirements.
Q: What is your approach to client confidentiality?
A: All client information is kept strictly confidential without exception. Where required, I am fully prepared to sign a confidentiality contract with any music artist.
My coaching practice is built upon personal recommendation from others. Recommendations are dependent on my reputation and this is built on trust, respect and results.
From time to time, I will ask clients for a written or video testimonial to help explain the work I do and its relevance to the music profession. There is no obligation to provide a testimonial.
Where testimonials are provided it is on the understanding that it is done so with full client consent and that no client confidential data is disclosed within the testimonial (or anywhere else).
Q: Do you offer payment plans for coaching?
A: No and without exception. Payment for all coaching is always, in full, and in advance. Payment by cash, bank transfer or PayPal are the accepted methods of payment.
Please note, payment plans are available from time to time for specific live events.
Q: Who validates your certifications?
A: I am a Certified Practitioner of Meridian Energy Therapies/Energy Psychology validated by The Association of Meridian Therapies.
I am also a Certified Trainer of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Master Practitioner of NLP and Time Empowerment Techniques (based on the principles of Timelineâ„¢ Therapy). The NLP qualifications are regulated and validated by the Association of Integrative Psychology
Both governing bodies operate strict guidelines which cover both the professional standards for achieving certification and detailed codes of conduct for certified practitioners and trainers. Certificates are available for inspection.
Q: Do you hold professional indemnity insurance?
A: Yes I do.
I am insured under Holistic Insurance Services, 181A Watling Street West, Towcester, Northants, NN12 6BX. T:01327 354 249 Reg. No. 3506156.
Q: Why do you use two different types of psychology?
A: A car mechanic is unlikely to be the most effective mechanic if he only has a single spanner in his toolbox. The cars that come into the garage to have problems sorted out are unlikely to leave completely in as roadworthy condition compared to the car service by the mechanic who has a complete toolbox.
In setting up The Music Performance Coach practice I want to make sure that I have sufficient tools and techniques in my toolbox equip me to help clients gently and effectively to have the emotional freedom, self confidence and physical power and presence to deliver an awesome performance.
Through a process of continuous professional development and regular supervision, I am on a continuous journey of refining my own knowledge – through research and practice – and acquiring new skills and knowledge to deliver the most effective therapy that I can.
Q: What is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)?
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a therapeutic phenomenon that is capable of literally transforming music performances – and lives – with truly remarkable speed and efficiency.
This Meridian Energy Therapy works in a deceptively simple way to dissolve long held and unconscious destructive patterns within the belief system, that inhibit a person physically, mentally and emotional. It removes many of the blocks to a confident and outstanding performance.
EFT is a true mind/body healing technique because it combines the physical effects of meridian treatments with the mental effects of focusing on the pain or problem at the same time.
EFT is a form of energy psychology that addresses limiting beliefs held at a subconscious level that literally frees a person from unwanted emotional responses such as anger, sadness and fear that can get in the way of producing an outstanding music performance bringing physiological and psychological benefits.
With its roots in Applied Kinesiology and Thought Field Therapy, EFT is a simple, non invasive meridian based technique for releasing the underlying energy that causes negative emotions. Often the first introduction to a family of Meridian Energy Therapies which work with the subtle energies that circulate within the body.
EFT is a form of psychological acupressure, working with the same energy meridians, however, where acupuncture uses needles to stimulate and unblock the channels EFT uses a system of tapping with the fingers on 13 specific meridian points on the face, hands and upper body whilst using statements relating to and directly focusing on the issue being addressed.
For example, thinking the thought that created the emotion, or focusing on the limiting belief. The process enables clients to work rapidly through layers of emotions, beliefs and memories to locate the root cause of their issues.
EFT has gained a well deserved reputation for giving rapid, long lasting relief from anxiety, stress, trauma of all descriptions, fears of flying, spiders, heights, addictions, lack of self esteem/confidence, and a whole host of other human conditions including the control and removal of physical pain, asthma and other diseases.
It will often work where all else has failed and many therapists, counsellors, trainers and health professionals, claim that it has transformed the way they work.
Q: What is Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP)?
A: NLP was borne out of studying and modelling the therapeutic techniques of Fritz Perls (Gestalt Psychology), Milton Erickson (Father of Ericksonian Hypnotherapy) and Virginia Satir (Family Therapy) to provide a set of proven tools and techniques to help people deal with unhelpful patterns of thought and behaviours.
Very often the thing getting in the way of the music performance we want is a direct result of our thinking and how that translates into our behaviour on and off stage (e.g. demanding perfection, stage fright). NLP helps you unpick your normal patterns of thinking and to replace them with thinking patterns that direct your emotions and behaviour – what we call your state – to be more empowering and more liberating so your music performance is outstanding; anywhere, anytime and every time.
Although there are many techniques in NLP individuals can make amazing shifts in their outlook and behaviour patterns often by using just one technique and this can produce a significant shift in your ability to perform.
For most people things happen and they react. NLP offers a better way. It gives you tools to react differently by choice, to be more aware of your thoughts, feelings and behaviour. You are then ready to take responsibility for what happens moment to moment in all areas of your life on and off the stage.
Q: What is a Time Empowerment Technique?
A: All of us have a way of representing time – the past, present and future – in our mind’s eye. For some people, the past is behind them, the future is out in front of them and the present is in their body. When you mentally join the dots between past, present and future – wherever those points are in space - you create what is known as a time line.
For some their timeline may run from left to right or right to left or it may not even be a straight line (it doesn’t matter where it runs from and to, what matters is you can visualise it in your mind). Using our imaginations we can travel up and down this time line to revisit memories in our past where the emotions associated with those memories past may still – possibly unknowingly – be blocking you from having the complete emotional freedom you want and need to create that memorable music performance.
