Quality Practice - A Musician's Guide (Susan Williams)

Quality Practice: A musician’s guide is a resource for musicians and those who train musicians. The information and tools provided are grounded on current knowledge from the fields of psychology, neuroscience and pedagogy, and applied to the teaching and self-teaching of performing musicians.

The book begins with a section about current motor learning theories and a description of a holistic approach to music-making. The second section – ‘The Art of Practicing’ – describes sixteen keys to quality practice in four categories:

• Foundations: Mindset and self-efficacy, Wellness, Motivation and Goals


• Self-regulation: Self-assessment, Planning practice, Assessing performance and Feedback


• Exploration: Varied practice, Random Practice, Improvisation and Flow


• Attentional focus: Observational practice, Mental training, External focus and Audiation

Each topic is described, and practical applications are offered. An extensive literature review is offered at the end of the book.

Included in the book are Practice cards – to put on your music stand and ‘play with’.