Music on Your Mind What Musicians Need to Know to Play with Success

This book provides musicians, students, and teachers a practical guide for optimal music learning, practice, memorization, and performance by the application of modern neuro-music research. Uncover the best, scientifically researched techniques, supported by researchers and musicians alike, that will empower you to learn thoroughly, practice optimally, and perform at your best.

Do you know how people learn? Do you know how people improve motor-skills for playing an instrument? Do you know how to focus attention and stay motivated? Discover the essential answers you need to revitalize and optimize your daily work as a musician. By applying the best methods and knowing why they work, you, too, can create successful practice routines with positive, rewarding, results. Know the best techniques for preparing expert music performance. Learn how to play with success! 

1: Human Memory Systems.- 2: Creating Long-Term Learning.- 3: Motor-Skill Memory.- 4: Attention, Motivation, Feedback, And Complexity.- 5: Optimal Learning Of Motor Skills.- 6:  Imagery.- 7: Memory Consolidation And Distributed Practice.- 8: Understanding Music And Structure.- 9: Synthesis And Reflection.

Dr. Amy M. Simpson is an Adjunct Instructor at West Virginia University and an Instructor for the Carnegie Mellon University Preparatory School in Pittsburgh, PA. As a pianist, Dr. Simpson was recently featured as soloist in Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 with the Edgewood Symphony Orchestra in Pittsburgh. Along with 30 years of private teaching experience, Dr. Simpson has served as an accompanist at several local universities, and as a church musician for some 25 years. Her interdisciplinary DMA dissertation, forerunner of this book, earned two research awards at West Viginia University. She resides with her husband, Jim, a retired engineer and fine, amateur clarinetist.