Concentration

[pianisten1989]

Hi!
I have this annoying problem with my concentration, both at practice and at the concerts. The thing is, I have quite good technique and I'm able to play pieces like Beethoven's 5th piano concerto and the Waldstein sonata, but my concentrations always messing it up.

Have any of you got any tips for these sorts of problems?
Thx
(sry my english, I havn't read any english in like 2 years)

[rc]

How's your sightreading?  I've been working on building up my sightreading from scratch a while back, and I'm all the way up to 'not so good'   But I've found that fluent sightreading doesn't permit any slips of concentration.

You're english looks great, better than many native english speakers. The only mistakes I see are probably just common little typos, doesn't interfere with your message at all.

[general disarray]

Sight-reading is a GREAT suggestion for building all kinds of skills, especially concentration.

If that doesn't cure you, try basic mediation techniques.  Sit in a quiet room with your back straight.  Focus yours eyes on some uninteresting spot on the wall.  Take a deep breath, then exhale completely.  Say, in your head, "one."  Then, repeat (inhale/exhale) up to "ten".  You will notice that your mind will wander so much you will probably, at first, lose track of your counting before you get to "three."  Notice what thoughts made you wander, then begin again at "one."  Force yourself to concentrate on your breaths by completely focussing your mind on breathing and counting each breath.  Do it for 10 minutes each day.

Like a muscle, concentration can be strengthened this way.  It's a Zen technique and guaranteed to work.

[pianisten1989]

thx a lot =) I'll translate it to swedish, then put it up right above my piano =)

[birba]

I have the same problem.  Concentration is very important when you practise.  Because when you perform, and your state of mind is different, it can even seem like different music!!  It's mind-rattling.  There are moments when have to psyche myself out and try NOT to concentrate when I'm performing:  Think of anything else but what Im playing.  This site is becoming more and more like a confessional for me!

[lostinidlewonder]

I also tend to think that over concentrating is damaging to our playing. Often we should play with a more automated muscular memory response to the action we have to produce. If we focus too hard often we will disturb what we usually play 100% correct while we are relaxed and not so stressed out about hitting everything right. Try to eliminate thought patterns that cause you to think about the notes or where fingers have to go. This for me has been the largest challenge to my focus, not to get scared about what is about to come, fearing you might forget what comes next. Relax, everything you practice will come through if you relax and enjoy yourself.

[sheehanjl]

I believe that concentration is practiced.  It requires tremendous discipline.  There were a few things I did that worked very well for me.  One was to always insist that I focus 100% during practice.  If I felt myself going on autopilot I would immediately stop and take a mental break for 5 or 10 min.  If you don't practice playing without focusing, you begin to eliminate it from your performance.   

Another thing that helps is when I force myself to have two tracks running in my head.  One track is the actual "playing instructions" such as what notes to play, what dynamics, what technical aspects, etc.  The other track is the "audience perspective" track. I would have another part of my brain that really focused on listening to my playing as an observer.  I believe that is the aspect of concentration that enables you to be really musical and actually say something with your performance.  Try to listen as objectively as if you were listening to a recording of yourself.  Record yourself while you are doing this and see if your recording sounds the way you remembered it during your practice. 

Also, along with the meditation advice, practice this focus in everything you do.  Reading, working, cooking, exercising, etc.  It begins to translate to your playing as well.  Hope this helps.

[dan101]

You're concentration couldn't be all that bad if you've learned Beethoven's 5th Piano Concerto. Having said that, perhaps you should try smaller practice sessions (i.e. take more breaks).