Memory Consolidation and Distributed Practice

Memory consolidation strengthens new memories for stabilization, improvement, or permanency. Memory improves during practice breaks, but overnight sleep consolidation provides additional learning. In the Acquisition Stage, a motor program forms during initial stable practice. Blocked practice, or massed practice, is required during this stage. The Stabilization Stage generally requires 4–6 hours post-practice to provide dependability and increased speed. Beginning in this stage, we should employ best-learning methods and variable practice. Enhancement, or overnight learning, depends on chemical processes that occur during sleep. We obtain modest gains in accuracy, speed, or both, and we gain more enhancement with the more difficult things we need to learn. After a brief review of research findings, I review how musicians can take advantage of distributed practice.