How to Start a Performance with More Accuracy (Without the Onstage Warm-Up)

One of my teachers often used to say that no matter what you’re playing, when you’re on stage, the beginning of a piece is always the hardest part. Not because the opening is more difficult technically, but because we’ve generally been sitting around for a little while, so we’re feeling kind of cold, a little disconnected from our instrument, and nervous and jittery. And it often takes us a minute or two to get warmed up and really hit our stride. Which might not be the end of the world if you’re playing a 30-minute concerto. But if it’s an audition that only lasts a few minutes, this “warm-up” period can feel like a really long (and crappy) couple minutes. Is there something we can do to be more accurate right from the start, and skip that “settling-in” period? (spoiler alert - yes, there is 😁). Get all the nerdy details here: How to Start a Performance with More Accuracy (Without the "Onstage Warm-Up") Live mental skills class begins soon! Learn research-based strategies for effective practice, managing nerves, getting into the zone, and performing more confidently with a month of live Zoom sessions, weekly homework, and feedback. Registration ends January 25th. 👉 Join Performance Psych Essentials - Cohort 26 (February 1 - March 1) References Perry, I. S., and Katz, Y. J. (2015). Pre-performance routines, accuracy in athletic performance and self-control. Athens J. Sports 2, 137–152. doi: 10.30958/ajspo.2-3-1 More from The Bulletproof Musician Get the free weekly newsletter , for more nerdy details and bonus subscriber-only content. Pressure Proof : A free 7-day performance practice crash course that will help you shrink the gap between the practice room and the stage. Learning Lab : A continuing education community where musicians and learners are putting research into practice. Live and self-paced courses

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How to Start a Performance with More Accuracy (Without the Onstage Warm-Up) is an episode from The Bulletproof Musician by Noa Kageyama.

This episode is 7:55 long.

This episode was published on Jan 18, 2026.

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