I’m Robert Estrin. Welcome to LivingPianos.com. Have you ever found that despite hours of practice, your progress seems to plateau? What if the key to more effective learning isn’t practicing longer, but practicing differently? Today, we’re exploring interleaved practice—a scientifically backed method that could revolutionize your approach to learning music.
Understanding Interleaved Practice
Traditional practice often involves focusing on one piece or technique repeatedly before moving on to the next—a method known as blocked practice. Interleaved practice, on the other hand, involves mixing different pieces or skills within a single session. This approach forces your brain to constantly retrieve and apply different strategies, enhancing learning and retention. Essentially, anything that keeps your mind engaged produces the most dramatic results in the work you do at the piano. So try mixing things up to make your practicing more engaging.
Scientific Evidence
Studies have shown that interleaved practice can lead to better long-term retention and transfer of skills compared to blocked practice. By continually switching tasks, you’re training your brain to be more adaptable and resilient, which is crucial for live performances where unpredictability is a given.
Implementing Interleaved Practice
Start by selecting a few different pieces or techniques to work on in a session. Rotate between them every 10-15 minutes, or whenever you feel a decline in the productivity in your practice. I remember listening to my wife practice for orchestral auditions. She would go through the list of music excerpts repeatedly and alternate with other practice techniques such as longtones and scales, then bring back the toughest excerpts time and time again, bringing fluency and solidity to her practicing. Initially, it might feel more challenging, but over time, you’ll notice improved recall and adaptability. Remember, the goal is to make your practice sessions more dynamic and engaging.
By incorporating interleaved practice into your routine, you’re not just learning pieces; you’re training your brain to be more flexible and responsive. This method might be the key to breaking through plateaus and achieving greater musical mastery.
The Piano Pillars System uses this technology. You can learn more about that here:
MASTER THE 5 PILLARS OF PIANO TO DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE YOUR PLAYING
One thought on “The Best Practice Method According to Science: Interleaved Practice”
One of my piano teachers told me to practice a tough spot over and over until I got it right three times in a row. Of course, that was interspersed with other kinds of practice as you said. When I started teaching taekwondo, I would tell the student to take the most difficult moves in a form (kata) until he got it right. And my students excelled over other students. Most people just teach, go through the entire form over and over. The thing that made taekwondo so productive as exercise for my body was the fact that forms are interesting. You are doing many different kinds of moves in sequence, instead of repeating the same movement over and over for a half hour.