Jared 'PiG' Krensel

So a "diverse vs. specific" perspective may not be the best way to think about SC2 practice as of current knowledge. 4/

This is effectively the same way musicians are taught: develop control of low level skills (notes, rhythms, dynamics) so that you are able to focus on broader ideas (phrasing, musical direction, atmosphere, etc. in this case). I think this is a very broadly applicable strategy.

I'n my time watching SC2, professional sports competitions, and even bleeding edge technology development and application, I think this is usually the way. Mastering the core elements frees your brain to operate on a more macro level to solve broader or more complex problems.

Yeah, and to continue that thought we can then say at an expert level you see more and more variation between disciplines on how much drilling of those core elements is essential vs the more complex/varied forms of practice. Classical music = more drilling, jazz more complex?

At least for that example, I think the variation comes from which skills are drilled. Classical relies on established and standardized patterns, articulations, and styles which are s[ecified by sheet music. A lot of the time goes to repeatability and 'accuracy' to the source. 1

In Jazz improv, your drills are playing a pattern over many keys so that you can play it spontaneously over what's going on. Similar technical mastery, but much more emphasis on variety of style, and instead of following a specific path, fitting a pattern to what's going on.

I like the way you describe that. Similar to the chunks or "set plays" in Starcraft you still gotta try n master them but the fact there's so many of them and so many adjustments and adaptations to the situation means they inevitably get less practice on each one.

Also a bit more of adapting "by feel" aka - sub-conscious processing and pattern recognition involved