About the Course
5 two-hour sessions that each include a presentation, discussion, and an opportunity to try out the practice methods we discuss in class
The opportunity to get personalized feedback on your specific practice challenges and struggles
Lifetime access to a private community of musicians who are all passionate about practicing
Access to class recordings for a year after the course ends
About Me
Dr. Molly Gebrian, DMA
New England Conservatory of Music
I am a professional violist with a background in cognitive neuroscience. My area of expertise is applying the science of learning and memory to practicing and performing. I bring decades of experience as a performer and teacher to this research, translating what scientists have discovered about how we learn into actionable, practical strategies that musicians of all ages and levels can use to improve their practicing and playing.
Individual Class Topics
Class 1: Foundations of Good Practice In this class, we will discuss what sets top performers apart from everyone else in terms of how they practice, fundamental information on how the brain learns, and what an effective practice session should look like. Class 2: The Power of Breaks We make the most improvement when we are taking a break from practicing, not during practice itself. We will discuss this counterintuitive finding and the science behind it, as well as how to take maximum advantage of this paradoxical feature of how the brain works. This information alone will allow you to learn music more quickly and have it stick better. Class 3: The Secret to More Consistent Performances This class will look at the science behind interleaved practice, a method of practicing that jumpstarts the learning process and results in more consistent performances. Interleaved practice is also the solution to the universal experience of, “I played this so much better yesterday at home. I don’t know why I can’t play it now.” Class 4: Variability Over Repetition Often musicians try to repeat the same thing over and over to ensure performance accuracy, but the research actually shows that more variability in practice leads to greater precision. In this class, we will discuss the nuances of this research and discuss how it leads to greater confidence and control in performances. Class 5: Practice Video Viewing For this class, students will be invited to bring 5-10 minutes of themselves practicing to get personalized feedback on their specific struggles in the practice room. As scary as this can feel, many students describe this activity as one of the most impactful in helping them understand how to practice more effectively.
Course dates: Sundays from September 7-October 5 Platform: Zoom Class length: 2 hours each Total course length: 10 hours
What you get: 10 hours of live-online interactive classes Personalized feedback on practicing Lifetime access to the private discussion forum on Discord Access for one year to the individual class recordings Please visit www.mollygebrian.com for FAQs, testimonials, and to contact me with questions.
$299.00