Muscle memory
 

I recently started learning a new piece of music on the piano. After just 3 attempts, I can play it in its entirety. I've actually learned it much faster than I would have before the TBI.

The way I play feels different. It's like I'm not thinking of the notes anymore, or even trying to remember a sequence. Instead I see shapes. I couldn't even find the sheet music for the piece today and somehow played it perfectly. I could see the shapes and my hands remembered.

My hands don't move like they used to, though. They're sluggish. I've been finding it hard to grip things and move them freely. It sometimes feels like they're underwater. It's hard to explain.

Why do my hands remember how to play, yet my mind forgets so much else? Is it muscle memory? Why am I now seeing things in shapes?

Interesting experience. Your brain injury could have cause an area that competes with the area that plays the piano. If this area is 'dormant,' the other area competing for brain resources can access those unused resources. It is the same reason why blind people have excellent hearing and touch.

The sluggishness can be a slowed processing speed. My cognitive processing speed and some others are 25% of normal. It shows up on finger tapping tests. You don't notice the sluggishness unless you have a time standard to compare it to. It is likely even more obvious to an observer.

I have a similar odd situation. If I try to do brain training exercises, I do better if I stop trying and just let the answers/reactions flow. It is kind of scary as if my mind is doing the exercise without me.

My best to you.

Autistic people frequently think in pictures. For most of the population they think in words. I have often wondered if a very young child thinks in pictures as well. It maybe that you are able to use your brain in a way that is more intuitive than before.