Abstract
Practice conditions that replicate performance environments can enhance motor learning. Dyad practice, where learners alternate between physical practice and observing a partner, offers a promising approach to music training by combining motor learning principles with collaborative strategies. This study examined whether dyad practice enhanced motor learning in novice marimba players compared to individual practice. Seventy-three university-trained musicians, who were naïve to marimba playing, were assigned to one of three groups: individual practice, dyad-full (physical plus observation), or dyad-half (reduced physical plus observation). Participants completed acquisition, retention, and transfer tests using mallet endpoint error as the primary measure. Acquisition analysis revealed that only the dyad groups improved right-mallet accuracy, while the individual group showed no such gains. At retention, performance advantages were observed only in the dyad-full group, likely due to greater overall task exposure. Critically, both dyad groups outperformed the individual group on transfer, indicating superior generalization of motor skills. These findings extend dyad training principles to musical motor learning and highlight its potential to improve training efficiency and promote equity in music education by enabling shared resources and collaborative learning environments.
Data availability
The raw data used to generate the conclusions reported in this manuscript will be made available upon request to the corresponding author.
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This work was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
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TL & AK designed the study, procured funding, analysed the data, and wrote the manuscript. GT oversaw data collection and wrote the manuscript. TR collected data, developed the MAX MSP patch, and performed the note onset detection analysis. EBK collected data and conducted the survey analysis. JJZ wrote the mallet endpoint analysis script, BJ helped with recruitment, AH & MHT procured funding.
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Loria, T., Tian, G., Karlinsky, A. et al. Dyad practice facilitates motor learning in music. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-43485-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-43485-w
