Description
Practicing is an essential part of every musician's life, but we are rarely taught how to practice in the most effective and efficient way. Many of us find ourselves frustrated when we sound good in the practice room only to embarrass ourselves on stage or in front of our teachers. We feel overwhelmed by the amount of music we have to learn, unsure how to balance everything. Playing from memory can feel terrifying and an insurmountable challenge, and overcoming bad habits can seem impossible at times.Molly Gebrian applies the science of learning and memory to practicing and performing, giving musicians the tools to learn music more effectively and experience greater confidence on stage. Researchers working in the fields of cognitive psychology and neuroscience have discovered many important principles about how the brain learns new information, retains this information both short- and long-term, and how to make this learning reliable in high-pressure situations like performances. Musicians often choose practice strategies that don't align well with the optimal ways in which the brain learns, leading to frustration while practicing and inconsistency in performance. The author offers a practical guide, using accessible language for non-scientists and non-academics, to help musicians get more out of their practicing by applying this research. Gebrian starts with general principles of learning and how the brain works, and then progresses through increasingly specific topics. Throughout the book, the science behind the various topics is explained in layman's terms, accompanied by practical, actionable advice that can be implemented immediately, to give musicians of all levels better tools while practicing and greater confidence on stage.
Table of Contents
Foreword by Dr. Noa KageyamaIntroductionSection I: Brain BasicsChapter 1: Good Practicing and How It Changes the BrainChapter 2: Practice Like a ProChapter 3: Use Errors to Your AdvantageSection II: Using Your Time WellChapter 4: The Fastest Way to Learn Music: Take More BreaksChapter 5: Can You Learn Music in Your Sleep?Chapter 6: What's the Perfect Schedule of Breaks?Chapter 7: Be More Consistent in PerformanceChapter 8: Why Exact Repetitions May Not Be the Best GoalSection III: The Power of the MindChapter 9: The Power of Mental PracticeChapter 10: Mental Practice and the BrainChapter 11: How to Focus to Play Your BestChapter 12: The Most Effective Ways to Memorize MusicChapter 13: Boost Confidence in Memorized PerformanceSection IV: Challenges Specific to MusicChapter 14: Improving Rhythm and TempoChapter 15: Improving Pitch and IntonationChapter 16: How to Play FasterConclusion: Bringing It All TogetherAcknowledgementsAppendix A Complete List of Practice StrategiesAppendix B Sample Spaced Practice CalendarsAppendix C Variable Practice StrategiesAppendix D Bonus RhythmsGlossaryReferences
