Overview • “Learn Faster, Perform Better” by Dr. Molly Gebrian Flashcards
From Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician's Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing by Molly Gebrian. © Oxford University Press 2024
What is the main goal of the book “Learn Faster, Perform Better”? by Dr. Molly Gebrian
To provide neuroscience-based strategies for musicians to practice effectively and perform confidently.
From Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician’s Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing by Molly Gebrian. © Oxford University Press 2024
What is ”neuroplasticity”?
The brain’s ability to learn, change and adapt through practice, reinforcing neural pathways.
From Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician’s Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing by Molly Gebrian. © Oxford University Press 2024
Why is ”deliberate practice” important?
It ensures focused, purposeful efforts that lead to measurable improvement.
From Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician’s Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing by Molly Gebrian. © Oxford University Press 2024
What is “spaced practice” or “spaced repetition”?
Practicing over multiple sessions rather than in a single block to improve long-term retention.
How does interleaved practice differ from traditional practice?
It mixes different tasks or pieces in one session, improving adaptability.
What is variable practice?
Changing practice conditions (tempo, dynamics) to prepare for performance variability.
How does mental practice support and complement physical practice?
It activates similar brain regions and strengthens neural connections.
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What are effective mental practice techniques?
• Visualization and auditory imagery. Visualize yourself playing the piece while hearing the sounds in your head.
• Make a positive formulation of what you want to achieve. Then imagine in great sensory detail what your evidence would be for having achieved it completely.
• Watch and hear yourself performing like a true expert. Then imagine stepping into your own skin and feeling from the inside what it’s like to do it perfectly.
Why is memorization critical for musicians?
• It enhances confidence and allows for expressive performance.
• The key reason to memorize is that it frees your mind for other things.
• Engaging multiple senses while you practice memorizing can make musical passages easier to remember later. Think about how a passage makes you feel. Imagine your finger movements. Tap into the emotions or mental images that come to mind as you play different parts.
What is chunking in music practice?
• Breaking pieces into smaller sections for easier memorization.
• Chunking can help you save time and frustration by allowing you to focus on specific trouble spots instead of playing through mistakes.
• It can be applied to any aspect of music, including improvisation, reading notation, and listening.
How can sensory modalities aid memory?
• Using visual, auditory, and kinesthetic inputs strengthens memory retention.
• Just as a sensory cue like the smell of tea can trigger memory retrieval, you can try to retrieve a certain memory by generating that cue. Anytime you are forming memories that you want to stay with you, you want them to be as multisensory as possible.
• We can use our senses to remember things better. When we’re retrieving memories, we latch on to any one part of a multisensory experience, and that’s going to allow us to be able to retrieve the memory more easily, faster, in a richer and more detailed manner.
What tools can help improve rhythm & timing?
• A metronome
• A drum machine or backing tracks with varied percussion only rhythmic patterns.
• Tap your feet
Why are naps & sleep so important for musicians?
• Sleep consolidates learning and enhances memory.
• Naps and sleep are crucial for musicians because they directly impact the brain’s ability to learn, consolidate memory, and execute complex motor skills needed for playing an instrument.
• Adequate sleep, naps, pauses, breaks, rest stops are essential for optimal performance, focus, and quick recall of musical pieces during practice and performances; they enhance your ability to learn new music, remember intricate passages, play with precision and accuracy.
What role do ”stop & think pauses”, “mini-breaks”, regular rest and breaks during and after practice sessions play in assuring effective music practice?
• Proper rest prevents fatigue and aids in retaining learned material.
• Stop and think pauses, mini-breaks, rest pauses, and breaks play a crucial role in effective music practice by allowing the brain to consolidate what has been learned, improve focus, prevent fatigue.
• This approach ultimately leads to better musical learning and performance by providing a moment for mental processing and integration of new information during and after practice sessions.
How should musicians handle mistakes during practice?
Analyze errors to understand and correct them rather than ignoring them.
What is the impact of attentional focus on performance?
External focus on sound leads to better technical and expressive results.
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• Where we focus our attention has a significant impact on our ability to learn and perform. A pianist simply shifting their attention from the movement of their fingers to the movement of the keys can have a positive effect on performance.
• Focusing on something outside the body can enable you to play at a much higher level than focusing on what your body should be doing. Learn how to take advantage of this finding to help you get out of your head so you can perform the way you want.
What are three critical practice techniques discussed in the book?
1) Spaced Practice
2) Interleaved Practice
3) Variable Practice.
How does overloading practice sessions affect learning?
It can lead to fatigue and diminished long-term retention.
What is the benefit of practicing in shorter, focused sessions?
It maximizes attention and prevents burnout.
Why is feedback essential in practice?
It provides a clear understanding of what to improve.
