By Robert Estrin

Imagine improving your piano skills without even touching the keys. It might sound like a fantasy, but mental practice is a powerful tool that many musicians use. Today, we’ll delve into how you can harness the power of your mind to enhance your musical abilities.

What is mental pratice? 

Mental practice involves vividly imagining the act of playing your instrument, engaging the same neural pathways as physical practice. Brain scans have shown there is no difference between playing the piano and thinking about playing the piano. This discovery has huge implications. This technique of mental practice can reinforce muscle memory, improve focus, and enhance performance confidence.

Benefits of mental practice

Research indicates that mental rehearsal can lead to significant improvements in performance, especially when combined with physical practice. It’s particularly useful when physical practice isn’t possible, such as during travel or injury recovery. Years ago, I was scheduled to perform a solo recital but came down with mononucleosis and had to postpone the recital several times. Ultimately, I decided to proceed with scheduling the concert, despite being limited to practicing only an hour or two each day. So I took my scores to bed with me and practiced away from the piano. It was the best recital I had ever played and far more evolved musically and technically than a solo recital I had given the year previously.

Watch Robert Estrin's lesson here: 

How to practise mentally

• Find a Quiet Space: Ensure you’re free from distractions.
• Visualize in Detail: Imagine the tactile sensations, sounds, and even the emotions associated with playing. Hear everything exactly as you want it to sound.
• Use All Senses: Engage not just sight and sound, but also touch and kinesthetic awareness.
• Combine with Physical Practice: Use mental rehearsal to supplement, not replace, actual playing.

Mental practice is a valuable addition to your practice toolkit! By incorporating visualization techniques, you can continue to develop your skills when away from your instrument, leading to more confident and expressive performances.

Robert Estrin

If you found these mental practice techniques helpful, you’ll love what’s inside Robert Estrin's Living Pianos Mastermind Club. It offers expert guidance, proven strategies, and a supportive musical community to help you keep growing.

For more great video content, go to Pianist's YouTube channel, where you can enjoy expert masterclasses from Graham Fitch, Tim Stein, Noriko Ogawa and more