How Do Experts Maximize Their Practice? 5 Lessons From Athletes
A summary of research conducted on athletes with deliberate practice routines, and the resulting differences between experts and amateurs.
-
-
Research-Tested Practice Strategies That Will Help You Learn New Pieces Faster
A handy analysis of recent studies suggesting learning “how to practice” can actually help your music practice become more efficient.
-
Want to Maximize Learning? Take “Micro-Breaks.”
A summary of research that supports the idea that our brain activity remains in learning mode while we’re at rest. Hence: take more breaks!
-
Two Approaches to Memorization (One of Which Can Leave You Lost and Stranded…)
“How we memorize” passages of music can actually affect much more than our practice routines, it can relieve anxiety, and boast confidence…
-
5 Ways My Freelance Music Career Supports My Mental Wellness
A touching OpEd from a concert cellist about how and why her switch to freelance has been able to help manage her mental health.
-
Why Slow, Accurate Practice May Actually Be the Problem When You’re Struggling
Practicing for accuracy but sacrificing speed? Or vice-versa? Research suggests you can actually have both, if your practice follows suit…
-
Why Slow, Accurate Practice May Actually Be the Problem When You’re Struggling
Practicing for accuracy but sacrificing speed? Or vice-versa? Research suggests you can actually have both, if your practice follows suit…
-
How Do Fear, Anxiety, and Other Negative Emotions Affect the Learning Process?
This guest post looks at research linking emotional mind-states with blocks in information retention, and how that might affect musicians.
-
Why Improvisation Should Be Part of Every Young Musician’s Training
Based on neuroscience research, improvisation can deactivate the self-judgment in your brain, and help you engage more creatively with music.
-
The Problem With “Perfect” Practice
How to use deliberate practice and take comfort in mistakes, so that you don’t fall into the trap of expecting perfection when learning.
