Could the imagination of playing piano be almost as efficacious as the physical playing for performers?

Sure, I can answer that. The concept you're referring to is often called "mental practice" or "mental rehearsal." This is a technique where musicians visualize themselves playing their instruments, often going through the physical motions in their mind.

1. Research: There have been several studies on this topic. One of the most famous was conducted by Dr. Alvaro Pascual-Leone at the University of Toronto. He had two groups of people practice a simple piano melody. One group physically practiced the melody on a piano for two hours a day. The other group just imagined themselves practicing the melody, also for two hours a day.

2. Results: After five days, both groups showed similar improvements in their ability to play the melody. This suggests that mental practice can be almost as effective as physical practice.

3. Explanation: The explanation for this is that mental practice helps to build the same neural pathways in the brain that physical practice does. When you imagine yourself playing the piano, you're activating many of the same areas of the brain that you would be if you were actually playing.

4. Limitations: However, it's important to note that mental practice is not a complete substitute for physical practice. Physical practice helps to develop muscle memory and fine motor skills, which are crucial for playing an instrument. Mental practice is most effective when used in conjunction with physical practice.

5. Conclusion: So, to answer your question, yes, the imagination of playing piano can be almost as efficacious as the physical playing for performers, but it should not replace physical practice entirely.