Reinvent Reinforcement

When we practice something over and over again, like the scales on the piano that you’ve probably heard and maybe even played yourself, then you not only memorize the patterns, but you embody them over time. That means that your mind and body are together on this. You eventually play scales in a similar way as you ride a bike. The action of playing a scale never really leaves you, and as you grow up, even though your body changes, your fingers may get stiffer, you can start in and play a scale even though it might be slow at first. Eventually, your hands, fingers, wrists, arms, and the way you hold your body over the instrument get better. The process of wrapping your fingers around a scale involves the continued practice of something until it sticks. This repetitive process is similar when you play Beethoven’s Für Elise. You apply the flexibility and dexterity of the scales you learned and apply the finger and hand movement and coordination to eventually playing that piece of music. Of course, to read Beethoven’s Für Elise you also have to learn how to read the standards of writing that evolved over centuries and were used by Beethoven. Before you play Für Elise completely in front of anyone, you practice. You play through hundreds, if not thousands, of times until you have maybe even memorize it, and you feel confident to play it in front of other people. You embody the technique necessary to play Für Elise, and you reinforce your capacity to play it through countless hours of practice and discipline.