How to Survive a Major Technique Change

"What got you here won’t get you there." ~Marshall Goldsmith

Welcome to this week’s Peak Performance Mondays!

Today’s edition is inspired by a coaching request from one of my Audition Accelerator clients, who is going through a major technical shift—specifically, a change in her bow hand technique.

If you’ve ever had to make a fundamental change to your playing technique, you know how tough it can be.

I remember my own experience when I had to completely recalibrate my trumpet playing in high school after getting braces. It was miserable.

• There were frustrating days.

• There were embarrassing days.

• There days I literally bled, and almost quit.

💡 A Pivotal Moment:
I might not have made it through if it weren’t for my sister, who took me on a fun trip to New York City to see a concert.

She was there for me as a support system when I needed it most and helped lighten the mood during a difficult time.

That trip reminded me why I play music in the first place and gave me the perspective I needed to keep pushing forward. It was exactly what I needed to reconnect with my purpose.

But even with that renewed purpose, I still had to figure out how to make changes to my embouchure to accommodate my new braces. I needed structure, a process, and some guidance to navigate those changes.

What I Learned: 

Embouchure changes, bow hand adjustments, or any major technical shifts are hard—but sometimes they’re necessary, especially when foundational issues sneak into your playing that weren’t addressed earlier on. If you’re going through something similar, here’s what helped me:

🧠 Quick Tips:

1. Don’t Go Through This Alone:

You’re going to need accountability, support, and guidance throughout this process. Major changes like this require a solid support system, and trying to handle it solo can make things much harder.

2. Vet Your Expert: 

Make sure the person guiding you through this change is highly experienced. The right expert will make all the difference in your progress.  

*Case in point: my string playing client, after we were discussing some technical problems in her playing, or sections that weren’t really sounding up to par, we discovered she needed to seek out a well-respected bass coach from a major orchestra to help guide her through the specifics.

While you and I are obviously not experts in everything, we can still offer support and be a sounding board to help connect others with the right resources.

3. Commit to the Process: 

There will be ups and downs, and it may feel like a detox from your bad habits. You’ll have good days, bad days, and everything in between. Stick with it, even when it’s frustrating, and remind yourself why you’re making this change.

4. Be Flexible: 

If you have a rehearsal or performance coming up, and you’re not fully comfortable with the new setup, it’s okay to temporarily go back to your old setup. No need to push through the change in high-stakes situations.

5. Forgive Yourself: 

It won’t be perfect every day, and that’s okay. Progress isn’t linear. Give yourself grace and trust the process—you’ll come out stronger on the other side.

✅ Action Item of the Week:

If you’re in the midst of a technical change (or even considering one), take a moment to reflect on your “why.” Why are you making this change, and what are you hoping to achieve? Reconnecting with that can give you the motivation to push through the difficult moments. It might also give you some clarity on whether or not you are chasing your tail.

🤞 My Promise: 

This process of change will happen gradually, and at times, it will probably feel slow.

But here’s my promise to you: at some point soon, you’ll be playing, and suddenly, your new approach will feel so natural that you’ll question whether it’s even new anymore. You’ll have this moment of, “Wait, is this my new setup or my old one?”—the shift will be that seamless.

It’s like watching your own child grow day by day. You hardly notice the change because it’s so gradual. But then, when a friend who hasn’t seen them in a while comes over, they’re shocked at how much your child has grown. The same thing happens with your playing—these small, consistent changes will add up over time, even if you don’t notice them immediately.

🔄 A Final Thought: 

Even after you’ve done all the hard work and embraced the change, there will still be days where it feels challenging or unfamiliar. That’s normal. The important thing is to keep moving forward. Stick with it, stay flexible, and don’t forget to lean on your support system when you need it.

🔜 What’s Next:  

Next Monday, we’ll explore the tough reality of “picking up the pieces”—what to do when you’ve put in all the hard work and still didn’t advance at your audition. We’ll talk about how to rebuild, reflect, and keep pushing forward when things don’t go as planned.

Thanks for joining me for this week’s Peak Performance Mondays. Keep pushing forward!

Chris @ Honesty Pill Coaching

P.S. If you’re navigating a technical change and need extra support, don’t hesitate to reach out. My Audition Accelerator is enrolling now, and we can tackle it together.