Webinar: Your Brain on Practice: The Neuroscience of Focus, Repetition, and Rest

After a brief introduction to the neuroscience of learning skills, this presentation explores strategies in three critical conditions for effective practice and study: focus, deliberate repetition, and deep rest. Key topics include deliberate practice as defined by Anders Ericsson, leveraging rest and spacing for memory consolidation, strategies for generating quality and quantity repetitions, overcoming the illusion of mastery through active retrieval practice, strategies promoting optimal alertness and focus for learning, and practical applications of self-regulated learning theory. While the examples apply directly to music teaching and learning, much of the research can help students and educators learn just about anything.

Participants will gain:
• Practical strategies for focus, repetition, and rest in music learning
• A model for discussing practice with students
• A concrete plan for their next learning or practice session
• An opportunity to discuss insights on practice and teaching with other educators attending the webinar

Riley Braase is a doctoral candidate in clarinet performance at Arizona State University whose dissertation research explores the neuroscience of effective musical practice. He won second prize in the International Clarinet Association’s 2023 research competition for his presentation “Nielsen and Neuroscience,” which applies evidence-based strategies to learning the infamously difficult clarinet concerto by Carl Nielsen. He has also presented his workshop “Your Brain on Practice” at colleges and conferences around the county. In Spring 2024, Braase was selected for the ASU Innovation Fellowship Program and delivered a version of “Your Brain on Practice” for learning strategies in arts, athletics, and academics open to all ASU students. He is an active performer and educator; maintains a private clarinet studio in Tempe, Arizona; teaches adjunct courses at Chandler-Gilbert Community College; and performs with the Opuntia Winds quintet.

NAfME presents this live virtual event at no charge to all as a service to the music education profession. To register, you must enter your NAfME member information or create a nonmember account. After registering, check your email for instructions. A recording of this program will be available to all registrants for one week following the live event. Members can also view archived NAfME webinars in the NAfME Academy. The views expressed are those of the presenter; they do not necessarily reflect the views of NAfME.