New learning always provides a challenge, no matter how enjoyable. This week I have two new pieces to keep me thinking and moving. I am learning a new tune with our little folk band. Lots of the music we play are Celtic reels, jigs and polkas – often in the key of ‘G’ or ‘D’ with very similar scales and fingering. My fingers seem to want to move to places were the tune does not go! I suppose the previously learned songs have constructed their own neural pathways in my brain, and as soon as I start to play something similar – they head for the old familiar route. Very useful in some contexts – not in others! My second challenge is to be able to complete ‘Snake Creeps Down’ in Tai Chi. This involves some hand movements which seems to me similar to the old trick of rubbing your tummy with one hand and patting your head with the other! (Have you tried this? It is not easy!) The only solution is – of course – practice. For me, the best practice is fully conscious, aware and consisting of lots of short repetition. This builds up the neural pathways that I want, and eventually what I want to achieve moves in to unconscious competence. It becomes part of me!