Why the Inner Game Matters in Music

The Inner Game of Music: Mindset, Focus, and Creative Freedom

The inner game of music.

I’ve never been much of a book lover, but there are a few exceptions I gladly recommend. One of them is The Inner Game of Music by Tim Gallwey, co-authored with Barry Green. Although I read the book quite some time ago, it still feels timeless and surprisingly relevant today.

Gallwey is a globally recognised author best known for titles such as The Inner Game of Tennis, The Inner Game of Music, The Inner Game of Stress, and The Inner Game of Work. Barry Green, on the other hand, is a music educator, double bassist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the author of The Mastery of Music, Bringing Music to Life, as well as the book mentioned above. In The Inner Game of Music, the authors describe methods they use when working with musicians, athletes, and business professionals. Thanks to Gallwey’s background in sports, the ideas naturally bridge multiple disciplines.

In many examples from the book, I’ve found — and still occasionally find — reflections of myself. Although I’ve never struggled significantly with stage fright, lack of confidence, or limiting beliefs, the book helped me recognise certain areas that could be improved. The most important of these is my physical and mental approach to playing the drums. Beyond that, it also made me more aware of my relationship with others — and, ultimately, with nature, which can be a powerful source of inspiration in itself.

“In every human endeavor there are two arenas of engagement: the outer and the inner. The outer game is played on an external arena to overcome external obstacles to reach an external goal. The inner game takes place within the mind of the player and is played against such obstacles as fear, self-doubt, lapses in focus, and limiting concepts or assumptions. The inner game is played to overcome the self-imposed obstacles that prevent an individual or team from accessing their full potential.” — Tim Gallwey