If you’re assigned something to read, read it aloud to yourself. This engages not just the internal monologue part of your brain, but speaking and hearing parts, and your brain makes stronger pathways when more senses are engaged and working together.
Don’t buy (eta: or download) flash cards, draw them yourself. This engages sight and abstraction., plus motor skill areas.
Write your own notes, then read them aloud and highlight them yourself. So many parts of your brain make connections by doing this. Don’t just read. That’s not very helpful; you don’t have to study long if you study well.
I think there’s a name for this, but I’m tired and will rely on Cunningham’s whatever.
e: don’t forget about all of your senses – you have way more than 5.
How do I do this when learning piano?
Play the piano. Don’t just read the music. If youre already playing and reading music, sing. If you’re already singing, squeeze your buttocks in time to the music.
Clap some cheeks to the music. Got it
Completely unrelated answer, but my way of reading better is writing and drawing on the score, specially the parts that are harder to remember or play.
I see many people reading scores from tablets and that won’t work for me.
Slightly related to the topic, do an improv or make up harmony for what you’re playing. Because that’s stimulating your creative brain, which doesn’t get a big work out if you’re just playing what’s written. Btw in baroque times it was standard to play harpsichord and have a proper time for improv/solo. Classical and romantic music killed that trend.
More related to the topic, shake/headbang or the closest thing to moving/dancing you can do while playing. It’s going to be challenging next time you play flight of the bumblebee.
Read sheet music while playing (every time, even if you’ve memorized it), sing or hum the melody aloud, tap the rhythm out with your non-sostenuto foot.
I’ve played piano for a very long time, and that is complete nonsense.
Elaborate?