Laura Berg TC Chapter 4 Summary
Summary: Skill is acquired in a series of steps. Chunking, or organizing a whole into smaller parts, is an essential step in deep practice. Chunking begins with absorbing the whole thing, or spending time observing the desired outcome. After this, then the whole is broken down into smaller segments, or chunks, and worked on until each chunk is perfected. Slowing down is also important, for it allow you to attend closely to errors and increase in precision. Repetition is also critical for deep practice. However, a lot of practice does not equal the desired outcome unless the practice is done effectively and consistently (every day).  It is also important to feel the deep practice as a building and growing experience as you strive to improve your skill. As a baby learning to walk, the more we stagger and fall as we go through this process, the faster and deeper we will learn. We just have to continue working through each error and not give up.
Key Concept: We can each go from being ordinary to extra-ordinary as we follow the steps to deep practice and chunking. "To be good, it's helpful to be willing, or even enthusiastic, about being bad."
Key Terms: HSE, chunking
Making Connections: Striving to improve in my singing ability has often been very frustrating and discouraging. I have often felt like something must be wrong with me for not picking up on things faster then I feel like I should be. I now understand that it was because I was practicing, but in a way that was not precise and error-focused. I look forward now to following the steps of chunking, repetition, and feeling as I practice and rejoice in being bad. It is the only way that I will really be able to become good.