Effects of auditory and motor mental practice in memorized piano performance

The study examined the effects of two types of mental practice in learning to perform an unfamiliar piece: auditory and motor practice. Sixteen pianists performed unfamiliar music from notation during ten practice trials, with the presence or absence of auditory feedback and motor feedback (finger movements). Pianists were instructed to mentally practice the missing feedback. After the practice trials the pianists performed from memory under normal performance conditions. Errors during performance from memory showed significant effects of both motor and auditory feedback during practice. Comparisons with aural skills posttests indicated that pianists with strong aural skills were least affected in memory tests by removal of auditory feedback during practice. Pianists with high self-ratings of playing by ear scored higher on the aural skills test and performed better from memory in the absence of auditory feedback. These findings suggest that an accurate auditory image is important for successful performance from memory.