Can you get better at achieving orgasm with a partner by practicing alone?

Really more of a question for the women of Fluther, during a recent discussion about self-pleasure there arose a split between those who thought that masturbation would increase your ability to orgasm with your partner (more in touch with your body) and those who thought it would decrease it (more accustomed to a specific path to orgasm).

Are there any relevant sexuality studies or theories that discuss this? What about your opinion and experience? Can you get better acheiving orgasm with a partner the same way you get better at playing a piano – practice?