Stop before You're Exhausted

The mindset of “No pain, no gain” does not apply in all circumstances, especially in skill development in music and athletics.  Remember, you are forging connections by repetitive actions and you need a fresh, receptive mind and body for this to work effectively. 

Daniel Coyle says, “Exhaustion is the enemy.  Fatigue slows brains.”  

Fatigue can actually trigger more errors, cause loss of concentration, and lead to a tendency to find shortcuts, which can create bad habits.  None of that is good for your child.

“When exhaustion creeps in, it’s time to quit.”

Daniel Coyle

As I write this, I am reminded of what a great principle this is for me personally as well as for my students.

 Order Your Copy HERE

Carolyn Biggs

Steps and Skips

Tips for the Developing Student

The 3-X-10 Method

 Order Your Copy Here

Our handy Little Book of Talent is proving to be quite a useful resource.  Have you bought a copy for yourself?  I recommend it.

This week’s tip comes from Dr. Douglas Fields, a neurologist at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.  He researches memory and learning. 

His discovery is this:  “Our brains make stronger connections when they are stimulated three times with a rest period of ten minutes between each stimulation.”

Daniel Coyle follows the thought further by saying:

“To learn something most effectively,

practice it three times, with a ten- minute

break between each rep.”

Your child will need some encouragement when giving this a try. I believe you will like the results in the long run.

Carolyn Biggs

Steps and Skips

Tips for the Developing Student

The Sandwich

The Sandwich

March 14, 2013

Who doesn't like a great sandwich?  I surely do.  The bread is important, but usually not as important as what comes in the middle, would you agree?

This tip has to do with the Sandwich Technique.  It’s simple, but most effective.

   1. Make a correct move.

   2. Make an incorrect move.

.  3. Make the correct move again. 

It’s all about reinforcing the positive and good.  Remember this:  it’s not how many minutes you practice, it’s how many times you can play a piece correctly.

This tip ties in nicely with the January 24, 2013 tip.  Here is the link to refresh your memory.

 Stop Watching Your Watch

Carolyn Biggs

Steps and Skips

Tips for the Developing Student

Positive Reaches

I heard Denis Waitley, motivational speaker, author, and performance coach says this:  “It takes the brain 47% longer to process a negative thought than it does a positive.”

Daniel Coyle, in The Little Book of Talent, says this.

“Always focus on the positive move, not the negative one.”

Daniel goes on with this example:

“A violinist faced with a difficult passage should tell herself, “Nail that A-flat,” not “Oh boy, I hope I don’t miss that A-flat.”

For my piano students and your child, consider this.  A pianist facing a challenging passage should say, “I’m going to play that passage perfectly and smoothly,” not “oh no, here is that passage I always have trouble with.” 

Our closing thought is another Daniel Coyle quote.

“The point is - it always works better to reach for what you want to accomplish, not away from what you want to avoid.”

It becomes a mindset. 

Good Mindset

     Positive Mindset

          Effective Mindset

Order The Little Book of Talent Here

Carolyn Biggs

Steps and Skips

Tips for the Developing Child