10 Steps to Improved Piano Practice (TIPS from Neuroscience of and Mindfulness)
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Some tips from neuroscience to improve your piano practice:
- Be mindful, attentive, and deliberate in your piano practice. Do not let your practice become mechanical and automatic .Playing piano uses both explicit and implicit memory. Implicit memory is involved in habits and skills. Explicit memory is for facts and events. In playing piano we integrate both explicit and implicit memory.
- Mix up the order of the your practice material. This challenges the brain, and helps avoid our practice sessions from becoming too automatic. While it may result in poorer performance in the short-term. Overall this will lead to improved learning.
- Good quality sleep is very important to improve your ability to learn. Studies show the importance of sleep in memory consolidation
- Space your practice sessions (Spacing effect) for improved learning
- Posture is very important - relaxed, flexible arms, and a straight back, notice any tension in the body and gently release it. Play with your whole body, not just your fingers
- State of mind: positive, focused, and relaxed
- Breath - don't hold your breath
- Listen and be aware of the quality of the sound you are making - it should be expressive and beautiful, not hard and mechanical.
- Warm up before you practice
- Be mindful, attentive, and deliberate in your piano practice. Do not let your practice become mechanical and automatic .Playing piano uses both explicit and implicit memory. Implicit memory is involved in habits and skills. Explicit memory is for facts and events. In playing piano we integrate both explicit and implicit memory.
- Mix up the order of the your practice material. This challenges the brain, and helps avoid our practice sessions from becoming too automatic. While it may result in poorer performance in the short-term. Overall this will lead to improved learning.
- Good quality sleep is very important to improve your ability to learn. Studies show the importance of sleep in memory consolidation
- Space your practice sessions (Spacing effect) for improved learning
- Posture is very important - relaxed, flexible arms, and a straight back, notice any tension in the body and gently release it. Play with your whole body, not just your fingers
- State of mind: positive, focused, and relaxed
- Breath - don't hold your breath
- Listen and be aware of the quality of the sound you are making - it should be expressive and beautiful, not hard and mechanical.
- Warm up before you practice