Optimal Learning of Motor Skills

The OPTIMAL Theory of Motor-Skill learning—Optimizing Performance Through Intrinsic Motivation and Attention for Learning—identifies three factors we need to succeed. First, enhanced expectations help us to expect reward, so we put in the necessary effort to obtain it. Positive feedback is a key in continuing to expect the best results. Second, autonomy helps us to put the task first by reducing concerns about our abilities or how we manage ourselves. Third, external focus of attention optimizes our motion and musicality when we plan and make motor movements. The OPTIMAL theory holds that reward, satisfaction, and success can flow in a virtuous and positive cycle for rewarding, successful practicing. I introduce external focus cues that coordinate with different kinds of learning and cover a sampling found in recent research that benefits musicians. High-level external-focus cues incorporate our senses and emotion. Finally, I suggest a summary for incorporating all the methods presented in Chaps. 3 – 5 , covering both explicit and implicit learning for musicians.