| LearnJazzPiano.com archives: Developing concentration | |
| kennycasek -- 12/08/2004, 10:51:10 -- #9549 | |
| Hi guys. I would like to hear your coments and experiencies in developing a good concentration while practicing, composing and performing. Thanks | |
| james3 -- 12/09/2004, 09:51:51 -- #9561 | |
| this subject also interests me very much...I would love to hear others thought on it as well Thanks | |
| Peteboypete -- 12/09/2004, 10:58:48 -- #9563 | |
| Kenny Werner talks a lot about this in his book Effortless Mastery. That would probably be the best place to start. | |
| kennycasek -- 12/09/2004, 17:11:11 -- #9571 | |
| I've read his book and a lot of books that deal with this issue (zen in art of archery, free play, the art of peace, meditation books, etc.) I arrived to the conclusion that you have to develop your own techniques in order to achieve the max. focus. My english is really bad so it's a little bit hard to me to explain which things I've done in the search for more concentration. But what I can say first of all is: Know Yourself. That's the first and most important step. I would like to hear other comments, I apologize for mi english again. I would try to post something longer in the future. | |
| Dr. Whack -- 12/12/2004, 21:18:19 -- #9635 | |
| I would have never guessed that English is not your first language...(except mi should be my - but I thought that was just a typo) I haven't commented because as you say, you have to develop your own techniques...I am just now starting to "get it" and I've been playing for 40 years....and I certainly couldn't explain it:) I'm looking forward to reading "The Inner Game Of Music" (my wife ordered it for me for Christmas)...maybe there is some useful stuff there? I had a student lose her nervous system during a recital last week and I'm really at a loss as to what to tell her...She plays beautifully but her whole body began shaking to the point where she couldn't keep one finger on a key...and she says she didn't feel nervous...hmm... | |
| Gordon -- 12/13/2004, 05:58:31 -- #9638 | |
| Wacky - there is some interesting stuff about this in Julie Lyonn Lieberman's book "You Are Your Instrument" - except it's in a chapter entitled "nervousness" - so if she says she didn't feel nervous .... hmmm... I'm stuck too | |
| albetan -- 12/13/2004, 09:23:35 -- #9645 | |
| The great secret of concentration in music is is to connect conscious with subconscious while playing. Read my file "The subconscious in music" and you will get some practical tips and helps for it. | |
| 7 -- 12/13/2004, 23:01:03 -- #9667 | |
| Since I consider playing music to being highly akin to juggling, my take on this is that once you've sufficiently mastered your instrument and mastered the piece you are playing, you don't need to concentrate any more. It used to blow my mind to go to these piano bars and watch the pianist lay out incredibly complex rhythms and improvisations all the while carrying on a genuine conversation with someone. I used to have people come over and talk to me while playing piano and even though I knew exactly what I wanted to say, the very fact that I would even attempt to respond to them would cause my playing to fall to pieces. Now I'm capable of carrying on conversations and such and just keep on playing. I don't need to concentrate at all - reflexes just take over. | |
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