Great! Thank you for bringing some light to this topic of mental practice, and especially why there is resistance. I think you completely nailed it with this video!
Thanks! Resistance to mental practice is a huge issue. And it can be compounded by feelings that we SHOULD be doing it but just can't bring ourselves to.
Kate, you are very smart and several things you say in this video are “eye opening moment(s)” for me. Golden stuff !!!! Thank you very much. I will be seriously be adopting this mental play procedure. Thanks for the boost !!! :)
Thank you Dr Boyd for these videos on mental practice. My problem with mental practice is the fear that I may practice a piece incorrectly in my mind because I misread or misunderstood the fingeringing, dynamics, etc. and then I have to unlearn the behavior. I don't have any reason for this rationale other than I've heard so many times over the years how practicing wrong is harder to correct than just practicing slowly.
I understand this fear - it makes perfect sense, especially since we hear over and over how hard it is to unlearn an error! However, think about another physical skill you might have learned, such as riding a bike or swinging a golf club. You actually have to do it "wrong" a bunch of times in a row before your body starts to figure out the "right" way to move to get the result you want. I wouldn't worry too much about practicing a piece incorrectly in your mind and then needing to fix it physically. Usually what happens is that you will be trying to imagine a piece in your head, and then you get to a place that's hard to imagine (it's fuzzy and you're unsure) and then you need to check. Unless you don't know how the piece is supposed to sound, it is not very likely that you'll need to un-learn something you practice mentally. Also, mental practice is best done in alternation with physical practice. So the physical practice will help strengthen the mental practice, and vice versa.
@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Thank you for thoughtful response. Great information. I particularly love the comparison to riding a bike or a golf swing--that's a good way to think about it.
You found myselft something to do during pauses in parks while bicycle ridings. Preparing for the public pianos that will be installed in a few weeks, I can't wait to try this. What makes sens in what you are saying is that while we play with sheets, we (well, I) are not actually reading everything, but only markers. By doing mental practice, we king of multiply those markers, and integrate them, and the whole piece.
Fascinating! This is the first time I've been introduced to this concept, and it really makes sense. I've found that I'm very weak at sight reading music and hearing it in my head unless I am actually playing it, and this could be helpful for not only playing but for improvising or composing.
I'm older and have been learning guitar for about 16 years with about 10 years of private lessons. I've hit a plateau. I always felt I needed to improve how I practice so I started mental practice after reading Practicing Music by Design by Christopher Berg a few months ago. I've been through all 5 of the challenges you've pointed out. I would add one more that, for me, it's really hard work to mentally focus. This is my biggest challenge. I think you suggested in another video to break it down into smaller pieces and yes this works. I like your suggestion of deep breathing before starting. At this stage I'm mentally practicing a few notes at a time to start off and then add more notes. It feels like it will take forever to learn a piece but I'm having faith it will help in the long run. You are right, it does get easier the more I do it. Thank you for your videos on mental practice. Also your video How to Set Effective Practice Goals in 2022 has really helped.
Thank you! When I'm having trouble staying focused with mental practice, I find it is most helpful when I alternate physical playing with mental imaging. So: play a short passage on the piano one time, then read the music and imagine it in my head. Then play it again, then imagine it again. Repeat this 2-3 times per passage, as I move through the piece. This keeps me on task and doesn't allow long periods of time where my mind is potentially free to wander. Hope this helps!
I learnt music and playing violin at school and I was a member in music groep. In own time there was no sufficient instruments, we listen to the teacher playing , later we have a chance to play. When I begin piano training , it ear playing was not helping in sight reading , so I closed my mind and train on score reading for one year , till I got progress in music theory technical practice, but my mental playing and ear playing weekend . Know I begin to rearview my way of proceeding on mental playing and ear playing on piano.
Thank you for sharing your experience! Mental practicing does take time, just like ear training. I hope you can have patience for yourself in the process!
As a self taught I don't even know where to get sheet music for piece I CHOOSE and learning. So here's why I still stick to TH-cam hundreds available visibly in details pieces I like to play. Here's why still not starting playing (probably) right way you talking about...
Since you are beginner without a teacher, I suggest using a method book like this one (affiliate link): amzn.to/4axyXV7 Another resource I love for beginners is Piano Marvel. Here's my affiliate link that gives you a small discount: pianomarvel.com/create-account/Prof Also, you can download free music off of IMSLP.org but there isn't much for beginners on there. Hope this helps!
@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Ooooo, Thank you Kate for info. Will definitely take a look. Have a nice weekend, and Merry Christmas. P.S. Soon planning to upload my 9 month progress/ repertoire. Did already 6 month before...
I started mental practice after listening to this video, it’s been challenging but very helpful. I'm keeping it really simple for now but I’m working to apply it to more complex things. I have a tendency to twitch my fingers as if I was depressing keys but I’m guessing that’s not a good idea, it probably tilts the experience towards muscle memory rather than developing my mental representation.
First off, I'm delighted to hear that you started mental practice as a result of this video - that's wonderful! Secondly, when the fingers twitch that isn't the same as if you were actually depressing the keys and in my opinion that is still mental practice, because you are still relying on mental imaging. There is an old movie called "The Competition" where a pianist is on an airplane en route to a piano competition, and she's playing the piano silently on a tray table. I would argue that that's mental practice, even though she's moving her fingers. It's just a slightly different form of it. Great job - keep it up and I hope it continues to enhance your playing!
I started my musical life with several years of serious trumpet study, and only came to piano decades later. I’m finding that my piano mental practice is sort of a piano/trumpet mashup. The sound and movement of physical playing tends to cover up my awareness of it, or perhaps it anchors me more solidly in the piano world. But mental practice, especially with no finger movement, lets trumpet-based habits come through in some odd ways. I suspect that’s not ideal for my piano practice, but I think I’m making progress.
How interesting! I also play violin, and I can relate to the idea of multiple instruments "residing" in your head. It sounds like just the act of noticing it is helpful to you in your piano practice. Good luck!
There is this story about the pianist Walter Gieseking. He rehearsed the Pfitzner piano concerto going by train and just doing mental practice. He never played one single note of this concerto before but was able to play it brilliantly on stage. New comment: Oh, I just watched your first video and you even mentioned Gieseking‘s mental practice.
I’m interested in trying mental practice but I’m still not clear what I’m supposed to do. Following the score is straightforward, but what else am I to attend to? Am I to visualize my hands on the keyboard playing? Others have said that they move their fingertips, but does it matter if the intervals you create aren’t quite accurate? Please give a few more details of the process.
Thanks for your comment! This video is a follow up to my first video on mental practice - in case it's helpful in answering some of your questions, here's the link: th-cam.com/video/I4dJTeyYgXE/w-d-xo.html In mental practice (MP) you can visualize your hands on the keyboard, or you can visualize the score in your head (if memorized), or you can visualize yourself playing from the side. When I do MP I usually follow the music with my eyes and hear the music inside my head, like when I read a book, except the music is in real time. While doing this process, even if my hands just resting in my lap and not moving, I am also aware of feeling my fingers *as if* they are moving over the keys. In other words, there is also a kinesthetic feeling that accompanies the music I'm hearing in my head, even though the muscles themselves aren't moving. It can be helpful to move your fingers in your lap or on a tabletop as you imagine the music, but it's not necessary to play the correct intervals. Another really helpful way to practice developing the ability to hear music vividly in your head is to "ghost" the notes by playing on top of the keys but not pressing the keys down. This also activates your inner hearing. If you're having difficulty with the concept of MP, I suggest starting there. Hope this helps - good luck and let me know how it goes!
I'm surprised "because it's hard!" didn't make it onto the list :-) For me that is the main reason. I find mental imaging quite draining, and there is no immediate "reward" in the form of feedback from the instrument that is telling you if your efforts are paying off.
I've tried mental practice before and even read the Gieseking book. Perhaps his genius seemed so far out of reach. My 2 reasons from your 5: I could tell a difference and I didn't know if I was doing it right. I've watched your 2 videos and I'm beginning again. Thanks!
Good luck - I hope you start noticing a difference! A little bit goes a long way - even just 5 minutes at a time. I find that it helps the most if you already can play the piece pretty well before you do mental practice on it, to reinforce your work. Although it is possible to do earlier in the process, but that can be more challenging. For example, I'm preparing for a recital in a few days and mental practice is really helping in these final stages of preparation.
Mental practice is not new to me, but you enforce it in a fascinating way. I never tried it with pianoplaying, but i think - on good days, when I'm really focused, I play both ways mentaly and with my fingers at the same time. Is that possible? I will try that out more conscious now and only with the score . But I think without the score it's quite another thing, much more difficult, isn't it?
Yes, I think that removing the physical aspect and only reviewing the mental part is definitely significantly more challenging. Good luck with it, and let me know how it goes!
@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Oh yes, what it does is changing the inner picture to the lanscape of keys. With the score before my eyes I hear the music and mentaly feel me move fingers and play. Without the score I see my fingers on the keyboard and see them play. To see both things together is (still) impossible for me. I had to flip the inner picture from score to keyboard and back - that doesn't sound good, like bad sightreading. I prefere the picture of the keyboard with my fingers.
I think you're right on - there are basically two ways to visualize: you can visualize the score inside your head or you can visualize your fingers playing the keyboard. I guess a third way to visualize is to "see" yourself playing from the audience point of view. When I visualize, I only see one of these aspects; I don't superimpose them on one another. I might switch back and forth, but I either "see" the score in my head or "see" my hands and the keyboard from the vantage point of myself playing.
Dr. Boyd! Another awesome video! My understanding is that after mental practice you remember the details in your brain instead of the music notes. Therefore you always get fingers ready for the next phrase. Will mental practice also useful while traveling? How do you keep up practice away from piano while traveling? 🙏🙏🙏
That's right! Yes, mental practice is EXTREMELY useful while traveling. I always do it when I can't get to a piano. It's good on airplanes, trains, hotel rooms, etc.
We often hear that practice does not make perfect, it makes permanent. I imagine the same applies to mental practice. Unless one possesses strong audiation skills, is there a risk to develop bad habits through mental practice? Thank you!
I definitely think this concept applies to mental practice as well! There can be a risk, which is why it is crucial to be aware of the useful healthy habits as well as the poor ones to avoid. There are ways to develop and strengthen audiation skills to create strong mental practice. Deepening your knowledge of the piece as a whole will also improve mental practice. Hope this helps! Happy practicing!
Hello Kate. I d like to ask you a question. During mind play session, do you advise us to play only the right hand? Because to imagine both hands is really difficult. Do you advise to tap the rhythm bu clapping hands ör on the table? I generally focus on practising chords and repertuar and the practise session is over.I cant spend more time since I have other things like housework.. Nevertheless, I agreement with you that mind play is critical in piano learning in gaining confidence. Thanks a lot.
You ask some really good questions - I love these! The good news about mental practice is that it can be done at any level of proficiency. If you find it difficult to imagine both hands, I suggest sticking to just one hand or the other until that becomes vivid in your imagination. Mental practice is like a muscle - consistent practice at just the right level of effort (not too hard, but not too easy either) will gradually improve your inner hearing, to the point where you may one day find that imagining both hands isn't as difficult any more. Usually I tap the rhythm with one hand so that I can play with the other. You mention the time it requires to do mental practice on top of your practice at the instrument. It doesn't need to be time-consuming: just 5 minutes of mental practice a day will over time build up that mental "muscle" and improve your ability to do mental imaging. Also, you don't even need to be at the piano at all times when you do mental practice; sometimes I do mental practice when I am out running or walking, or when I'm doing chores around the house - this involves intentionally imagining something I'm currently working on and "practicing" it inside my head. I hope these ideas help - good luck!
Watch next: Metronome Practice at the Piano - 5 Essential Tips! th-cam.com/video/v4bb4JsLEvY/w-d-xo.html
Great! Thank you for bringing some light to this topic of mental practice, and especially why there is resistance. I think you completely nailed it with this video!
Thanks! Resistance to mental practice is a huge issue. And it can be compounded by feelings that we SHOULD be doing it but just can't bring ourselves to.
Kate, you are very smart and several things you say in this video are “eye opening moment(s)” for me. Golden stuff !!!! Thank you very much. I will be seriously be adopting this mental play procedure. Thanks for the boost !!! :)
Yay - thanks so much for the feedback. Glad you're finding this discussion of mental practice useful. Good luck!
Thank you Dr Boyd for these videos on mental practice. My problem with mental practice is the fear that I may practice a piece incorrectly in my mind because I misread or misunderstood the fingeringing, dynamics, etc. and then I have to unlearn the behavior. I don't have any reason for this rationale other than I've heard so many times over the years how practicing wrong is harder to correct than just practicing slowly.
I understand this fear - it makes perfect sense, especially since we hear over and over how hard it is to unlearn an error!
However, think about another physical skill you might have learned, such as riding a bike or swinging a golf club. You actually have to do it "wrong" a bunch of times in a row before your body starts to figure out the "right" way to move to get the result you want.
I wouldn't worry too much about practicing a piece incorrectly in your mind and then needing to fix it physically. Usually what happens is that you will be trying to imagine a piece in your head, and then you get to a place that's hard to imagine (it's fuzzy and you're unsure) and then you need to check. Unless you don't know how the piece is supposed to sound, it is not very likely that you'll need to un-learn something you practice mentally.
Also, mental practice is best done in alternation with physical practice. So the physical practice will help strengthen the mental practice, and vice versa.
@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Thank you for thoughtful response. Great information. I particularly love the comparison to riding a bike or a golf swing--that's a good way to think about it.
You found myselft something to do during pauses in parks while bicycle ridings. Preparing for the public pianos that will be installed in a few weeks, I can't wait to try this. What makes sens in what you are saying is that while we play with sheets, we (well, I) are not actually reading everything, but only markers. By doing mental practice, we king of multiply those markers, and integrate them, and the whole piece.
Good point! Have fun with the public pianos! 😊🎹
Fascinating! This is the first time I've been introduced to this concept, and it really makes sense. I've found that I'm very weak at sight reading music and hearing it in my head unless I am actually playing it, and this could be helpful for not only playing but for improvising or composing.
Glad it was helpful! Good luck with it!
I'm older and have been learning guitar for about 16 years with about 10 years of private lessons. I've hit a plateau. I always felt I needed to improve how I practice so I started mental practice after reading Practicing Music by Design by Christopher Berg a few months ago. I've been through all 5 of the challenges you've pointed out. I would add one more that, for me, it's really hard work to mentally focus. This is my biggest challenge. I think you suggested in another video to break it down into smaller pieces and yes this works. I like your suggestion of deep breathing before starting. At this stage I'm mentally practicing a few notes at a time to start off and then add more notes. It feels like it will take forever to learn a piece but I'm having faith it will help in the long run. You are right, it does get easier the more I do it. Thank you for your videos on mental practice. Also your video How to Set Effective Practice Goals in 2022 has really helped.
Thank you! When I'm having trouble staying focused with mental practice, I find it is most helpful when I alternate physical playing with mental imaging. So: play a short passage on the piano one time, then read the music and imagine it in my head. Then play it again, then imagine it again. Repeat this 2-3 times per passage, as I move through the piece. This keeps me on task and doesn't allow long periods of time where my mind is potentially free to wander. Hope this helps!
@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Yes it was helpful. Thanks for the feedback!
I learnt music and playing violin at school and I was a member in music groep. In own time there was no sufficient instruments, we listen to the teacher playing , later we have a chance to play. When I begin piano training , it ear playing was not helping in sight reading , so I closed my mind and train on score reading for one year , till I got progress in music theory technical practice, but my mental playing and ear playing weekend . Know I begin to rearview my way of proceeding on mental playing and ear playing on piano.
Thank you for sharing your experience! Mental practicing does take time, just like ear training. I hope you can have patience for yourself in the process!
Good Morning Mam , This is happening with me because of medication and fighting with it . Thanks a Lot .Regards
Thanks Kate 🎉🎉
My pleasure! 🥰
As a self taught I don't even know where to get sheet music for piece I CHOOSE and learning.
So here's why I still stick to TH-cam hundreds available visibly in details pieces I like to play.
Here's why still not starting playing (probably) right way you talking about...
Since you are beginner without a teacher, I suggest using a method book like this one (affiliate link): amzn.to/4axyXV7
Another resource I love for beginners is Piano Marvel. Here's my affiliate link that gives you a small discount: pianomarvel.com/create-account/Prof
Also, you can download free music off of IMSLP.org but there isn't much for beginners on there.
Hope this helps!
@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Ooooo, Thank you Kate for info. Will definitely take a look. Have a nice weekend, and Merry Christmas.
P.S. Soon planning to upload my 9 month progress/ repertoire. Did already 6 month before...
Thanks!
Thank you for the Superthanks!! Good luck!
I started mental practice after listening to this video, it’s been challenging but very helpful. I'm keeping it really simple for now but I’m working to apply it to more complex things. I have a tendency to twitch my fingers as if I was depressing keys but I’m guessing that’s not a good idea, it probably tilts the experience towards muscle memory rather than developing my mental representation.
First off, I'm delighted to hear that you started mental practice as a result of this video - that's wonderful! Secondly, when the fingers twitch that isn't the same as if you were actually depressing the keys and in my opinion that is still mental practice, because you are still relying on mental imaging. There is an old movie called "The Competition" where a pianist is on an airplane en route to a piano competition, and she's playing the piano silently on a tray table. I would argue that that's mental practice, even though she's moving her fingers. It's just a slightly different form of it. Great job - keep it up and I hope it continues to enhance your playing!
I’ve seen that movie! A long time ago, I'd forgotten about it. Thanks for reminding me :-)
Moving my fingers during mental rehearsal helps me so much that it seems like cheating. But I’ll start there and see how it goes.
Sounds like a good approach - good luck!
I started my musical life with several years of serious trumpet study, and only came to piano decades later. I’m finding that my piano mental practice is sort of a piano/trumpet mashup. The sound and movement of physical playing tends to cover up my awareness of it, or perhaps it anchors me more solidly in the piano world. But mental practice, especially with no finger movement, lets trumpet-based habits come through in some odd ways. I suspect that’s not ideal for my piano practice, but I think I’m making progress.
How interesting! I also play violin, and I can relate to the idea of multiple instruments "residing" in your head. It sounds like just the act of noticing it is helpful to you in your piano practice. Good luck!
Hi Dr. Kate, I love that video I think I just don't know how to do it but this concept makes a lot of sense. I'm going to try it and let you know.
Good luck and happy practicing! 😊
There is this story about the pianist Walter Gieseking. He rehearsed the Pfitzner piano concerto going by train and just doing mental practice. He never played one single note of this concerto before but was able to play it brilliantly on stage.
New comment: Oh, I just watched your first video and you even mentioned Gieseking‘s mental practice.
Yes that’s a great story. The Leimer/Gieseking book where his method is outlined is really fantastic, too!!
I’m interested in trying mental practice but I’m still not clear what I’m supposed to do. Following the score is straightforward, but what else am I to attend to? Am I to visualize my hands on the keyboard playing? Others have said that they move their fingertips, but does it matter if the intervals you create aren’t quite accurate? Please give a few more details of the process.
Thanks for your comment! This video is a follow up to my first video on mental practice - in case it's helpful in answering some of your questions, here's the link: th-cam.com/video/I4dJTeyYgXE/w-d-xo.html
In mental practice (MP) you can visualize your hands on the keyboard, or you can visualize the score in your head (if memorized), or you can visualize yourself playing from the side. When I do MP I usually follow the music with my eyes and hear the music inside my head, like when I read a book, except the music is in real time.
While doing this process, even if my hands just resting in my lap and not moving, I am also aware of feeling my fingers *as if* they are moving over the keys. In other words, there is also a kinesthetic feeling that accompanies the music I'm hearing in my head, even though the muscles themselves aren't moving.
It can be helpful to move your fingers in your lap or on a tabletop as you imagine the music, but it's not necessary to play the correct intervals.
Another really helpful way to practice developing the ability to hear music vividly in your head is to "ghost" the notes by playing on top of the keys but not pressing the keys down. This also activates your inner hearing. If you're having difficulty with the concept of MP, I suggest starting there. Hope this helps - good luck and let me know how it goes!
Thanks so much for this, Dr. Boyd.
Glad it was helpful!
I'm surprised "because it's hard!" didn't make it onto the list :-) For me that is the main reason. I find mental imaging quite draining, and there is no immediate "reward" in the form of feedback from the instrument that is telling you if your efforts are paying off.
You're totally right - I guess "because it's hard" is assumed but it would have been good to talk about explicitly.
I've tried mental practice before and even read the Gieseking book. Perhaps his genius seemed so far out of reach.
My 2 reasons from your 5: I could tell a difference and I didn't know if I was doing it right.
I've watched your 2 videos and I'm beginning again. Thanks!
Couldn't tell a difference.
Good luck - I hope you start noticing a difference! A little bit goes a long way - even just 5 minutes at a time. I find that it helps the most if you already can play the piece pretty well before you do mental practice on it, to reinforce your work. Although it is possible to do earlier in the process, but that can be more challenging. For example, I'm preparing for a recital in a few days and mental practice is really helping in these final stages of preparation.
Mental practice is not new to me, but you enforce it in a fascinating way. I never tried it with pianoplaying, but i think - on good days, when I'm really focused, I play both ways mentaly and with my fingers at the same time. Is that possible? I will try that out more conscious now and only with the score . But I think without the score it's quite another thing, much more difficult, isn't it?
Yes, I think that removing the physical aspect and only reviewing the mental part is definitely significantly more challenging. Good luck with it, and let me know how it goes!
@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Oh yes, what it does is changing the inner picture to the lanscape of keys. With the score before my eyes I hear the music and mentaly feel me move fingers and play.
Without the score I see my fingers on the keyboard and see them play. To see both things together is (still) impossible for me. I had to flip the inner picture from score to keyboard and back - that doesn't sound good, like bad sightreading. I prefere the picture of the keyboard with my fingers.
I think you're right on - there are basically two ways to visualize: you can visualize the score inside your head or you can visualize your fingers playing the keyboard. I guess a third way to visualize is to "see" yourself playing from the audience point of view. When I visualize, I only see one of these aspects; I don't superimpose them on one another. I might switch back and forth, but I either "see" the score in my head or "see" my hands and the keyboard from the vantage point of myself playing.
@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Exactly - many thanks!
Dr. Boyd! Another awesome video!
My understanding is that after mental practice you remember the details in your brain instead of the music notes. Therefore you always get fingers ready for the next phrase.
Will mental practice also useful while traveling? How do you keep up practice away from piano while traveling?
🙏🙏🙏
That's right! Yes, mental practice is EXTREMELY useful while traveling. I always do it when I can't get to a piano. It's good on airplanes, trains, hotel rooms, etc.
We often hear that practice does not make perfect, it makes permanent. I imagine the same applies to mental practice. Unless one possesses strong audiation skills, is there a risk to develop bad habits through mental practice? Thank you!
I definitely think this concept applies to mental practice as well! There can be a risk, which is why it is crucial to be aware of the useful healthy habits as well as the poor ones to avoid. There are ways to develop and strengthen audiation skills to create strong mental practice. Deepening your knowledge of the piece as a whole will also improve mental practice. Hope this helps! Happy practicing!
Hello Kate. I d like to ask you a question. During mind play session, do you advise us to play only the right hand? Because to imagine both hands is really difficult. Do you advise to tap the rhythm bu clapping hands ör on the table? I generally focus on practising chords and repertuar and the practise session is over.I cant spend more time since I have other things like housework.. Nevertheless, I agreement with you that mind play is critical in piano learning in gaining confidence. Thanks a lot.
You ask some really good questions - I love these! The good news about mental practice is that it can be done at any level of proficiency. If you find it difficult to imagine both hands, I suggest sticking to just one hand or the other until that becomes vivid in your imagination.
Mental practice is like a muscle - consistent practice at just the right level of effort (not too hard, but not too easy either) will gradually improve your inner hearing, to the point where you may one day find that imagining both hands isn't as difficult any more.
Usually I tap the rhythm with one hand so that I can play with the other.
You mention the time it requires to do mental practice on top of your practice at the instrument. It doesn't need to be time-consuming: just 5 minutes of mental practice a day will over time build up that mental "muscle" and improve your ability to do mental imaging.
Also, you don't even need to be at the piano at all times when you do mental practice; sometimes I do mental practice when I am out running or walking, or when I'm doing chores around the house - this involves intentionally imagining something I'm currently working on and "practicing" it inside my head.
I hope these ideas help - good luck!
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙏
💖💖💖💖💖
Thanks for watching!