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For More Effective Practice, Try…Longer…Pauses
Before we get to today's practice tip on optimizing the "post-KR delay," a quick reminder that today is the last day to enroll in the live 2-week Performance Psych Essentials class that begins on Tuesday, June 13th. It's going to be a jam-packed two weeks of practice hacks and performance practice. If that sounds like fun, you can get all the details here:
Join Psych Essentials Cohort 13
Longer pauses?
Now to this business of the post-KR delay. What's that exactly?
Well, if you ever get a chance to listen to a student practice, there's one thing that is often conspicuously absent.
Silence.
You'll typically hear a good bit of repetition - but not a lot of quiet time or space between repetitions.
And why does this matter? Well, studies have found that too little space between repetitions - or too short an "inter-trial interval" (aka post-Knowledge of Results delay) can actually inhibit learning.
So how long of a pause should there be between repetitions? Is there an optimal length of silence?
Get all the nerdy details and this week’s practice hack right here:
For More Effective Practice, Try…Longer…Pauses
-Noa
A couple things from the archives
- I was talking with a student this week who was experiencing arm fatigue and tension, and we discovered that some of this may be due to a chinrest/shoulder rest setup that didn't allow them to play freely. If you haven't been completely happy with your setup, the podcast episode with Claire Stefani would be a great way to start your exploration of this topic. Listen here
- Turns out pauses can play a role in memory as well. Read here
Deep thought o' the week
"Reflection... Looking back so the view looking forward is clearer."
-Unknown
The Bulletproof Musician
If you struggle with nerves and inconsistent performances, know that you’re not alone! Join 45,000+ musicians and get weekly research-based performance psychology tips that will help you become more effective in the practice room and on stage.
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