Actual research on learning an instruments?

[J Wilson]

As a pianist, I went the usual method of practice taught by my two Julliard graduate instructors.

Over the years playing bass, I applied those methods, but two situations would occur that all that didn't seem to cover:

I made FAR more progress playing 5 hour gigs night after night than practicing alone for 5 hours, no question.

If I had something that was REALLY challenging, I'd work it to death but never quite get it under my hands reliably. IF I'd walk away from it, a week or ten days later, just for grins I'd try it and NAIL it without even thinking about it., and never have the slightest problem with it ever again.

I never completely understood why these two were proved true to me many times.

 

[gln1955]

I'd say what you may be looking for could be found pursuing this list

Research Guides: Music Education: Journals

 

[DirtDog]

Wouldn’t you rather have a tale from the wonderful land of Anecdotia, a place where experience surpasses data?

I’m going to use that one at work on Monday. And Tuesday. And……

 

[WarmToneWank]

Gonna have to disagree with people who think sports science is not an apt comparison. Most sports science deals with very thin slices of the skills needed to be learned normally abstract from their competition. Lots of the science used there can be brought over to an art. just like the sport it is up to the coach and the players how they wish to use the science. The science does not tell you which to use to win the game or apply the art just how the skills are learned.

 

[singlemalt]

Don’t forget the performance enhancing drugs!

 

[Piper Bob]

There is a ton of research. I’ve probably read 20 papers on how people best learn to play violin.

Three great books:

1) This is Your Brain on Music. Daniel Levitin produced Steely Dan albums (among others) before becoming a neuroscientist. The book summarizes all the existing research (as of when he wrote it) on how music works in the brain and how we learn.

2 & 3) The Inner Game of Music & The Mastery of Music by Barry Green. These are more anecdotal but provide some great insights.

What I’ve distilled from all those and living with a music teacher for 30 years is as follows: figure out what needs improvement. Play it slowly but correctly several times. If you get better then do it some more. If you don’t get better, then move on to another thing that needs improvement. Then sleep and come back to it tomorrow.

When I say “what needs improvement” I’m talking about maybe a bar of music, or maybe less. If you’re playing a whole song you’re either playing or rehearsing, but you’re not practicing. It can also help to practice the hands separately.

 

[joeLowB]

There is a ton of research. I’ve probably read 20 papers on how people best learn to play violin.

Three great books:

1) This is Your Brain on Music. Daniel Levitin produced Steely Dan albums (among others) before becoming a neuroscientist. The book summarizes all the existing research (as of when he wrote it) on how music works in the brain and how we learn.

2 & 3) The Inner Game of Music & The Mastery of Music by Barry Green. These are more anecdotal but provide some great insights.

What I’ve distilled from all those and living with a music teacher for 30 years is as follows: figure out what needs improvement. Play it slowly but correctly several times. If you get better then do it some more. If you don’t get better, then move on to another thing that needs improvement. Then sleep and come back to it tomorrow.

When I say “what needs improvement” I’m talking about maybe a bar of music, or maybe less. If you’re playing a whole song you’re either playing or rehearsing, but you’re not practicing. It can also help to practice the hands separately.

Super helpful summary. Thank you, @Piper Bob .

 

[Ritter667]

Start out by reading "The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music" by Victor Wooten.

 

[KindofBlues71]

Another book to check out: Deliberate Practice for Bass Guitar 2.0 by Paul Wolfe. I just finished the book last week and am applying the techniques to a 12 week practice cycle.

 

[Sachelis]

I realize this threat has been resurrected, but check out The Practice of Practice by Johnathan Harnum. It is full of research and data on how musicians improve.