Labyrinth Music Blog

Meditations on Learning and Loving Music

How to fight the post-performance blues
Performing, Musician psychology, For non-musicians, For experts and pros, For intermediate and advanced students, Music careers, Deep dives Laurel Sanders Performing, Musician psychology, For non-musicians, For experts and pros, For intermediate and advanced students, Music careers, Deep dives Laurel Sanders

How to fight the post-performance blues

Part of getting ready for a performance is preparing for how you’ll feel after it’s over. Almost every performer gets some type of emotional whiplash after performing. Fortunately, it’s something you can prepare for and manage!

Read More
Confession: I hate needing help
For non-musicians, Progress for Perfectionists, Personal stories, For adult students, Deep dives Laurel Sanders For non-musicians, Progress for Perfectionists, Personal stories, For adult students, Deep dives Laurel Sanders

Confession: I hate needing help

Aversion to getting help is a hallmark of perfectionism. I have to admit, I hate needing help, asking for help, and accepting help. This installment of “Progress for Perfectionists” is a personal story about a time I caught myself being unnecessarily, foolishly self-sufficient.

Read More
Don't let other people determine your limits
Musician psychology, For beginners, For teachers, For non-musicians, Talent, Deep dives, Motivational Laurel Sanders Musician psychology, For beginners, For teachers, For non-musicians, Talent, Deep dives, Motivational Laurel Sanders

Don't let other people determine your limits

Are some people too un-talented to make music? No! No matter what you’ve been told, you don’t lack the capacity to learn to sing or play an instrument. Yet so many of us believe we are incapable of becoming musicians...

Read More
The importance of doing a bad job
Progress for Perfectionists, For beginners, Musician psychology, For non-musicians, For adult students, Deep dives Laurel Sanders Progress for Perfectionists, For beginners, Musician psychology, For non-musicians, For adult students, Deep dives Laurel Sanders

The importance of doing a bad job

Almost no one likes being a beginner. It’s especially embarrassing if you’re at all perfectionistic. When you can’t seem to get started, make the process the goal. (Featuring a peek into my writing method.)

Read More
Writing reviews for music teachers
For teachers, For parents, For adult students, Deep dives Laurel Sanders For teachers, For parents, For adult students, Deep dives Laurel Sanders

Writing reviews for music teachers

If you’re going to write a review for your teacher, on behalf of all teachers I would like to thank you!! We really appreciate you putting in the time and effort to write informative and helpful reviews. Teaching professionals need your specific, personal, and honest reviews to stay in business. If you follow these guidelines, your teacher and their future clients will thank you.

Read More
Do I HAVE to practice?
Practicing, Musician psychology, For parents, For beginners, For young students, Deep dives, Music lesson FAQs, Piano Laurel Sanders Practicing, Musician psychology, For parents, For beginners, For young students, Deep dives, Music lesson FAQs, Piano Laurel Sanders

Do I HAVE to practice?

I have a short answer to this frequently-asked question, and a medium-length answer, and a long answer. Find out what good practicing looks and feels like, and how it helps you make progress.

Read More