Why are different kinds of learning so differently compressible?
If I can work through a textbook in 20 1-hour sittings, I usually get similar results from 10 2-hour or 5 4-hour sessions. But piano isn’t that way at all: a 20x1hr piece simply can’t be learned in 5 sessions IME.
Conversation
One explanation might be that when learning piano pieces, successive sessions rely heavily on previous sessions having been consolidated, whereas many “book-learning” topics are somewhat more breadth-shaped.
Another might be that some tasks drain attention faster.
1
31
Other examples of learning which don’t seem to compress very well:
– learning how to draw
– learning how to design user interfaces
– learning how to write
Ones which seem to compress well:
– learning how to cook
– learning a new programming language
– learning a spoken language
15
5
58
“Fundamentals of Piano Practice” makes the case that "mental play" is crucial for learning pieces. That does resonate; I catch myself silently/motionlessly “playing” difficult passages in bed. tals-of-piano-practice.readthedocs.io/chapter1/ch1_t
Replying to
There's great research on how much our minds learn during sleep, piano and other precise highly specific mind-body flow practices are highly susceptible to this kind of learning effect
1
1
Replying to
I also think that frequency of that kind of thinking, *plus the willingness to do it in the first place*, is a critically under-examined component of "talent."
Replying to
Disclosure: my piano teacher discovered that I learn by ear and have perfect pitch. He told my mother I was top 5 of his students all time (he was 70+) when he discovered this. I would have been phenomenal had she taken his advice and let me play around
Replying to
I found that this is how I learned dance routines best as well :). Visualization (with regards to all stimuli) is a great tool
1
1
Replying to
On imagining things to improve motion skills, one interesting study is mentioned towards the end ef this video, idk if you know about this effect
ed.ted.com/lessons/how-to
Replying to
Thanks for the link! I stumbled across a pdf of this ages ago, it was very useful then but it got probably stuck in an old hard drive or smth. Now I’m back practicing again so this will be of great benefit!
Replying to
I love the magic of struggling with a difficult passage, not really ever getting it down, then you wake up the next day and somehow you just have it in your fingers.
Replying to
The brain builds models for each new skill it acquires. The level of challenge depends on wether the model extends previously learned skills or has to be built from scratch. Experienced musicians, can learn to play the piano much faster and easier than those lacking prior skills.