Go slow!

On page 26 in this issue of Quest, learning specialist Ulrik Juul Christensen brings us his view on GUEs educational approach. Reading it made me think of a couple of parallels between diving and music.

My background as a musician and music educator made me realize that diving and music have something in common: both require consistent practice to excel. To become proficient, one must not only master theoretical concepts but also develop precision motor skills.

When it comes to mastering motor skills, it’s crucial to recognize that every action we take with our bodies is essentially practice, whether it’s correct or not. For instance, if I attempt to learn a piece of music by playing it quickly, but incorrectly 99 times before finally getting it right on the 100th attempt, my muscle memory will retain all the wrong passes. This is a wasted effort because I would have to repeat the correct version at least 100 more times to achieve balance and erase the incorrect movements from my memory.

To optimize our practice, we should start slowly and deliberately, ensuring that every movement is correct from the outset. This allows our bodies to learn and remember only the correct motions, making our practice more effective and efficient.

During my studies at the Copenhagen Conservatory, my sight-reading teacher instilled in us an invaluable lesson: “Nothing is so slow that you can’t reduce the tempo.” To help us master complex sheet music, he encouraged us to practice at an extremely slow pace until we could play flawlessly. Only then were we permitted to gradually increase the tempo while ensuring that every pass remained perfect. By starting slow and building up gradually, we trained our eye-hand coordination and muscle memory to execute the music accurately, allowing us to develop the skill to perform at higher speeds. This approach taught me the importance of patience and perseverance in achieving mastery of any skill.

One reason why GUE classes place a significant emphasis on dry runs is that it enables the instructor to teach skills in a controlled environment. By slowly walking through the movements of the skill, the instructor can emphasize the correct sequence and execution, while minimizing the influence of external factors such as stress or communication difficulties. Dry runs provide an opportunity for students to practice the skill at a slower pace, master the fundamentals, and make corrections without the added pressure of being underwater. As a result, when it’s time to apply the skill in a real-world situation, students are better equipped to handle the task confidently and safely.

The key to mastery is slow and deliberate practice. By taking the time to practice each movement correctly from the outset, you’ll develop the muscle memory and coordination necessary to excel. So, next time you’re learning a new skill, don’t rush it—go slow, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you progress!

Dive safe and have fun!

Jesper Kjøller Editor-in-Chief jk@gue.com

Editor-in-chief

// Jesper Kjøller

Editorial panel

// Michael Menduno

// Amanda White

Design and layout

// Jesper Kjøller

Copy editing

// Pat Jablonski

// Kady Smith

Writers

// Dorota Czerny

// Brad Beskin

// Ulrik Juul Christensen

// Jesper Kjøller

// Kirill Egorov

// Ally Landes

// Dan Mackay

// Daniel Riordan

// Fred Devos

// Todd Kincaid

// Chris Le Maillot

// Jarrod Jablonski

Photographers

// Nicholas Samaras

// Kirill Egorov

// Olga Martinelli

// Dorota Czerny

// Jesper Kjøller

// Bori Bennett

// Ulrik Juul Christensen

// Ocean Reef Group

// Julian Műhlenhaus

// Derk Remmers

// Jacob Mehr

// Petr Polach

// Derk Remmers