Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician's Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing

“Dr. Molly Gebrian gifts us with a truly compelling new book. A highly trained performing musician and pedagogue, Dr. Gebrian has also made a life-long study of neuroscience, especially as it relates to “music and the brain.” In this book, she marries the two disciplines in a way that is understandable to the lay reader, with complete descriptions of the “why” and the “how” of applying each new principle. Dr. Gebrian’s Introduction is captivating, and the easy cadence of her writing invites us forward with every important technique presented. This is a book for every library – I know I will be using these concepts in my own teaching…and my own learning!” — James F. Dunham, Professor of Viola and Chamber Music, Shepherd School of Music, Rice University

“Finally, a clear and informative book by a musician with neuroscience expertise explaining how to learn music faster and better! Everyone interested in music performance should read this book to get old monkeys off their back (practicing as much as possible, the myths of talent and early achievement, etc.) and to learn what really does work in music practice and why.” — Prof. Jacqueline Leclair, Associate Professor of Oboe, Schulich School of Music of McGill University

“This book is pure gold. Scrupulously researched and substantiated by both scientific studies and data culled from her lived experience as a performer and pedagogue, Dr. Gebrian provides musicians with an empowering and practical guide to making profound and lasting progress in their work.” — Carol Rodland, Professor of Viola and Chamber Music, The Juilliard School

“Kudos to Molly Gebrian for gathering such a compendium of valuable information in one place! If you’re a growing young artist – you need this book to develop optimal work habits to get the most out of your dedication. If you’re a top-flight teacher, you may know many of the techniques described in this book, but you need this book to understand how and why they work. I look forward to making this book mandatory for my students…. It’s the perfect combination of information and inspiration! Did I say you need this book?” — Peter Slowik, Professor of Viola, Oberlin Conservatory

“I warmly recommend this indispensable resource for performers and students.” — Helen Tuckey, AUSTA National Reviews

“ILearn Faster, Perform Better isn’t a miracle shortcut or a promise of instant results. It won’t replace the need for time, patience, and consistent effort. Its real value lies in giving musicians a clearer, more honest framework for using that time well. For players who feel stuck, unfocused, or frustrated by slow progress, it’s a thoughtful, motivating and scientifically grounded guide. Even when some of its recommendations feel optimistic or hard to implement in real life, it succeeds in its most important aim: making you rethink what “good practice” actually looks like.” — Mark Clayson, Independent Reviewer

Dr. Molly Gebrian is a professional violist and scholar with a background in cognitive neuroscience. Her area of expertise is applying the research on learning and memory to practicing and performing music. She also investigates the intersections between music and language. As a performer, she prioritizes the works of living composers and those who have traditionally been excluded from the culture of classical music. She holds degrees in both music and neuroscience from Oberlin College and Conservatory, New England Conservatory of Music, and Rice University. Previously, she was the viola professor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the University of Arizona. After a decade of teaching viola at the collegiate level, she will join the faculty at New England Conservatory of Music in Fall 2024 to teach courses on the science of practicing.