→ Bass-ically transformational. A book written for your benefit. It gets into the science of learning and memory, providing advice to up your game. The title is “Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician’s Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing”, published in July 2024 and written by Dr. Molly Gebrian.
Molly Gebrian is a professional musician who plays the viola. It’s, tuned a fifth below the violin and a fifth (fourth?) above bass. She’s down here with us, right in our wheelhouse. She also has a background in cognitive psychology and neuroscience. She knows a thing or two about our practice habits and how and why we learn.
I haven’t read the book yet, but she has the experience to write a doozey and supercharge your game. Each chapter includes advice that can be used immediately. It is written for musicians Here’s the table of contents:
Section I: Brain Basics
Chapter 1: Good Practicing and How It Changes the Brain
Chapter 2: Practice Like a Pro
Chapter 3: Use Errors to Your Advantage
Section II: Using Your Time Well
Chapter 4: The Fastest Way to Learn Music: Take More Breaks
Chapter 5: Can You Learn Music in Your Sleep?
Chapter 6: What’s the Perfect Schedule of Breaks?
Chapter 7: Be More Consistent in Performance
Chapter 8: Why Exact Repetitions May Not Be the Best Goal
Section III: The Power of the Mind
Chapter 9: The Power of Mental Practice
Chapter 10: Mental Practice and the Brain
Chapter 11: How to Focus to Play Your Best
Chapter 12: The Most Effective Ways to Memorize Music
Chapter 13: Boost Confidence in Memorized Performance
Section IV: Challenges Specific to Music
Chapter 14: Improving Rhythm and Tempo
Chapter 15: Improving Pitch and Intonation
Chapter 16: How to Play Faster
Conclusion: Bringing It All Together
What do you think?
