Study: Sleep Improves Music Skill (VIDEO) Southern Methodist University This video is under embargo. Please login to access this video. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Caption A new study that examined how the brain learns and retains motor skills provides insight into musical skill. Performance of a musical task improved among pianists whose practice of a new melody was followed by a night of sleep, says researcher Sarah E. Allen, Southern Methodist University, Dallas. The study is among the first to look at whether sleep enhances the learning process for musicians practicing a new piano melody. The study found, however, that when two similar melodies were practiced one after the other, followed by sleep, any gains in speed and accuracy achieved during practice diminished overnight, said Allen, an assistant professor of music education in SMU's Meadows School of the Arts. Read more at http://bit.ly/ZnzgWl on www.smuresearch.com. Higher resolution video on youtube at: http://bit.ly/10W61v1. Credit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.SMUResearch.com">www.SMUResearch.com</a> Usage Restrictions Please credit. Thank you. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.