The Practice Project Podcast

Episode 16: Music Performance Anxiety

Unmasking the complex conundrum of Music Performance Anxiety (MPA), this episode of The Practice Project Podcast focuses on the 2006 research paper by Dianna Kenny and Margaret Osborne: "Music Performance Anxiety: New insights from young musicians." MPA is not just an adult phenomenon; it extends its roots deep into the learning years of budding musicians, impairing their performance and future prospects. Drawing on Kenny and Osborne's work, this episode highlights the causes of MPA in adolescent musicians, the warning signs, and what preventative measures can be taken. Subscribe to The Practice Project Podcast for weekly academic and research-based insights, offering educators, students and musicians an opportunity to transform how they teach, practice and perform. Practice smart, and stay healthy, with nkoda. Try nkoda free for 7-days here: https://app.nkoda.com/sign-up TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nkodamusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nkodamusic/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/nkoda

Episode 15: Why We Love Music

In Episode 15 of The Practice Project Podcast, Bethany and Riki re-enter the realm of neuroscience to explore the relationship between music and emotion. They consider how our brains process the music we play and listen to, why we take such pleasure from our musical experiences, and the pivotal role of dopamine. Listen in for fascinating insights into the potent effect that music has on our emotional state, and how to harness this during your practice and performance. Whether you're an avid musician, a passionate listener, or just intrigued by the interplay between music and neuroscience, this episode offers an enriching exploration of why music gives us so much pleasure. Love your music, with nkoda and The Practice Project Podcast. Try nkoda free for 7-days here: https://app.nkoda.com/sign-up TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nkodamusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nkodamusic/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/nkoda

Episode 14: Practice Fundamentals #2

Discover the power of effective music practice with this episode of The Practice Project Podcast from nkoda. In Part 2 of our review of Chuan Chang’s book, 'Fundamentals of Piano Practice' (2007), Bethany and Riki investigate four more of the key practice principles embraced by Chang: memorisation, mental play, pace modulation and post-practice improvement. Chang's proven strategies can be applied to many different instruments and genres, and this episode is packed with actionable advice for musicians and music educators alike - offering invaluable tools for enhancing your understanding of the learning process, and optimising your practice regime. nkoda is the world's leading sheet music app, and The Practice Project Podcast brings you twice weekly insights on music practice from a wide range of academic research and other sources. With nkoda's unique digital catalogue, you can very quickly start to enhance your practice and performance.  Try nkoda free for 7-days here: https://app.nkoda.com/sign-up TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nkodamusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nkodamusic/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/nkoda

Episode 13: Practice Fundamentals #1

This is Episode 13 of The Practice Project Podcast from nkoda, with more insights into effective music practice. As Part 1 of a double-bill, this episode introduces the teachings of Chuan Chang, the author of ‘Fundamentals of Piano Practice’ (2007). Hosts Bethany and Riki cover six piano practice techniques from Chang's book, which are equally applicable to other instruments. Among other things, they discuss the power of listening before practicing, the structural analysis of your music, tackling and segmenting difficult sections, and achieving continuity during practice. Each technique is given context, and with clear takeaways, this is a must-listen for any music student, teacher, or professional wanting practical guidance on optimising their practice. Don't miss this exploration of Chang’s practice methods, and stay tuned for Part 2 in the next episode. Practice smart with nkoda, the world’s leading sheet music app, and The Practice Project Podcast. Try nkoda free for 7-days here: https://app.nkoda.com/sign-up TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nkodamusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nkodamusic/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/nkoda

Episode 12: Animated Performance

Welcome to Episode 12 of The Practice Project Podcast, from nkoda. In this episode, your hosts Bethany and Riki explore research undertaken by Caitlyn Trevor and David Huron in 2018 and presented in their paper "Animated Performance: 'Better' Music Means Larger Motions". The results of the research create a compelling argument for the importance of the visual aspects of musical performances. Using motion capture technology, Trevor and Huron explore how musicians' physical movements affect the audience's perception of performance quality. Bethany and Riki consider the balance between the aural and visual elements of performances, discover which musical properties inspire greater physical movements in musicians, and offer a new perspective on creating more engaging and expressive musical experiences. nkoda is the world's leading digital sheet music provider. Subscribe now to access 110,000+ titles from over 140 publishers, advanced annotation tools, and much, much more. Practice smart with nkoda. Try nkoda free for 7-days here: https://app.nkoda.com/sign-up TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nkodamusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nkodamusic/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/nkoda