Looking upwards (for long) while playing...

[jhon]

occassional looking up seems normal but there are some who are just so fond of it as if telling the audience "I can play not looking in the keyboard."  is it true that this is mostly manifested and taught by Rudolf Serkin?   

[justliam]

I don't really know about that, or why it would be taught really.  But I would say looking up is a sign on creativity, and remembering, it's a well known fact that liars generally look down to make something up, where as when you tell the truth you look upwards, accessing your memory, and imagine it's more to do with this, and part of the performance, I don't think it's showing off (most of the time), but it probably isn't necessary

[lostinidlewonder]

Turning the head here or there, looking up or whatever is simply turning the ear to listen more closely to what you are playing. I have noticed that I do it subconsiously, leaning into the instrument, moving away, turning the head. It just allows you to listen more intently to the sound that you are projecting through the room. Especially in large rooms you will find that what you hear directly infront of you at the piano is different to what you might hear on the otherside of the room.

[maxy]

It is considered normal when playing soft.  When you put left foot on una corda pedal, it takes away weight from the keyboard and you may end up looking upwards.

[alzado]

This is a normal state of affairs when playing while wearing bifocal glasses.  That is, playing with one's head cocked upward.  (Not really looking at the sky, but trying to see the music.)

For seniors and for people who need reading lenses, try ordering a pair with the close-up prescription from your bifocals -- set up as special piano glasses.

My optometricst told me that piano glasses need to be slightly different than reading glasses, because the normal distance is perhaps 6 inches further than reading a book.

He made up a set for me, and now I do not play with my head cocked upward.

[gruffalo]

you cant really be taught how to play emotionally. well you can but you will never become anything good because you need to be natural. you will find that they dont do this intentionally. i do this but i discovered that the reason that i turn my head away sometimes (not that i was thinking about it at the time) is that when staring at your fingers you will try to hard to get the notes write and therefore you will break down the emotion being brought out. so its not just looking up, although that is very common, i guess you dont want to look at the audience incase you frighten yourself.

[vladhorwz]

But I would say looking up is a sign on creativity, and remembering, it's a well known fact that liars generally look down to make something up, where as when you tell the truth you look upwards, accessing your memory

I believe what you are referring to is people looking to the right, to increase activity in the right side of the brain, and thus creativity, people look to the left for increased left brain activity or recollection of facts.  (Liars look up or down to the right when they are talking because they are creating an answer)

[donjuan]

One thing I noticed about Kissin's Carnegie Hall debut concert - he played most everything with closed eyes and head positioned upright.  It didnt add or take away from the performance in any way.

[Appenato]

sometimes i'll close my eyes when i play/perform. in a way, it's to zone out the audience and enter into the music... where it's just me and the piano. staring blankly ahead can get weird... looking upwards, too... but.. if it's not during the entire performance... meh... okay, now i don't know where i'm going with this. i should go get ready for the day. i've been here too long and i'm not making any sense.

[Bouter Boogie]

I think looking up while playing improves your play a lot, because you can pay more attention to the music. In my case it helps a lot.