Problem with absent-mindedness during practice

[momopi]

Lately, my mind seems to wander off when I try to practice. So, I end up wasting time during my practice instead of learning more.

Do you have any tips in order to improve concentration during practice?

Right now, I'm not having lessons because I'm busy with university. I also go back and forth to my dorm and hometown so it takes a lot of my time. But I still make an effort to make time for the piano so that I won't forget my past lessons... and because I'm still very interested in learning despite having other priorities at the moment. But because of my absent-mindedness lately, I feel like I'm not practicing at all - just mechanically pressing the keys. Did anyone of you feel this before?

It would be very helpful if you would share some tips. Thank you!


momopi 

[m19834]

Lately, my mind seems to wander off when I try to practice.

Well, that is not unusual and is basically to be expected.  It doesn't have to be fully accepted though as part of the routine.  We do want to develop some kind of awareness of when our mind starts to wander, so we can do something about it when it starts to happen. 

Also, there is a difference between being absent minded vs. being distracted.  If you are being distracted while you practice, where you are constantly unable to focus on your practice because you are actually thinking about something pretty specific and such, there may be a good reason that is happening.  You may have other things that need your attention, especially if piano is not your main priority in your life ... there can be a lot to that  ... but, I have found it helpful in the past to keep a piece of paper next to the piano so when I am practicing and my mind starts trying to remind me of the particular emails that I am needing to send, or the people I need to be calling back, or the other pressing matters I may have, that I just take a brief moment to write those things that I need to do, down on the piece of paper.  Once I get it there, I tell myself I don't have to try to remember it now, and let my mind be clear of those responsibilities.  Sometimes an entire page of things to do spills out in a fury, but then it's on the paper, and suddenly I am free to concentrate on my practice.

However, I have found that the only real way for me to truly concentrate on my piano playing in my life is when I am making it the biggest priority in my life, in my day, through and through.  That has to do with how I personally function though.

Another kind of "simple solution" I have found is to slow everything down.  Mega down.  And focus on every little detail of what I am hearing and experiencing, with the aim of making music at this slow speed.  Somehow those slow speeds tend to help my concentration be absorbed by my playing.  When we are just shoving practice time into the day amongst other things that actually take more priority in our lives, it is easy to try to rush through the practice time mentally, causing poor concentration on the task at hand.

[healdie]

Scientists say that the neurotypical human brain can only fully concentrate on one task for 45 minutes at a time before our minds start to wander so it is perfectly normal If this is becoming a problem I would try (although not always possible) to split up your practice and do short burts but often

[m19834]

I find it to be quite distracting to be worrying about what scientists say about my practicing  .  Furthermore, I have rarely had a scientist observing my practicing, outlining for me how to learn my music, helping me to be inspired about my work, and telling me what to do when I am distracted 10 seconds in ! 

I find that I am generally a much better judge about when I am being distracted and when I am not, than what anybody says about me from some distant land of scientific data.

No matter what, each individual has to learn how to recognize distraction and deal with it accordingly in a way that works for them.

[pianowolfi]

Scientists say that the neurotypical human brain can only fully concentrate on one task for 45 minutes at a time before our minds start to wander so it is perfectly normal If this is becoming a problem I would try (although not always possible) to split up your practice and do short burts but often

Well, the question here would be: what is "neurotypical"? Do we as musicians really need to care about this? A musitypical solo recital lasts 2 times 40 min. and you need to keep your concentration span over these 2 times 40 min plus the (freaking ) intermission. So it's a good thing to increase our concentration span. And I think it is possible.

[healdie]

well I was talking just about practising sure during a performance your con contration holds out better because you are under pressure and you know whats required of you

also I think musicians are neurotypical by neurotypical I mean the average person (normal in poorer words) obviously there are exceptions

[pianowolfi]

Well, so often during the last months I thought that sometimes even practicing just mechanically/absent minded, though of course not ideal, has an effect, if you don't forget the main goal. I confess that I actually often do this, just to get some routine, motoric memory. If something doesn't work automatically I wake up  and then I know, this part needs further practice in detail.

[go12_3]

..wow....I'll sit down to practice and realize I'm just playing the notes.  Yet, I enjoy playing piano and how the music soothes me whenever there are pressures in my life.  I wouldn't call it absent-mindedness----we all have minds to think with.  Our fingers automatically run over the keyboard again and again.  The sounds that we hear will be instilled within our minds.  I don't over analyze what I have to do or can't do.  Then the stress factor comes into play as we practice.  Enjoy the journey, and the notes that come along the way.....each day is different and so how we practice.  There are days, I am so tired in my mind and body, yet, I sit and practice something slowly and then later in the day, I perk up to play a faster piece.  I think we can't always be on top of things.  Take it easy and the music and notes will flow through you.   

[momopi]

Enjoy the journey, and the notes that come along the way.....each day is different and so how we practice.  There are days, I am so tired in my mind and body, yet, I sit and practice something slowly and then later in the day, I perk up to play a faster piece.  I think we can't always be on top of things.  Take it easy and the music and notes will flow through you.   

Thank you 

[mike_lang]

Scientists say that the neurotypical human brain can only fully concentrate on one task for 45 minutes at a time before our minds start to wander so it is perfectly normal If this is becoming a problem I would try (although not always possible) to split up your practice and do short burts but often

But are there not so many different tasks in piano playing?  When we practice, we do it in such variety that rarely are we doing the same thing for 45 minutes without rest.  Perhaps for 30 minutes we work on a new piece of music, then for 20, we practice the choreography for a passage in thirds, then for the next 30 we have a run-through of a recital program, the next 20 pining over an interpretive question, etc.  These are all very different "tasks," yet all part of piano playing.

Obviously, I am not refuting the scientific data you provide, but rather, suggesting that because of the complexity of piano playing, that we are able to concentrate for much longer than 45 minutes.

[mike_lang]

We do want to develop some kind of awareness of when our mind starts to wander, so we can do something about it when it starts to happen. 

Yes, I think most of the time that we lose concentration or awareness of what we are doing, we are not aware that it has happened. 

but, I have found it helpful in the past to keep a piece of paper next to the piano so when I am practicing and my mind starts trying to remind me of the particular emails that I am needing to send, or the people I need to be calling back, or the other pressing matters I may have, that I just take a brief moment to write those things that I need to do, down on the piece of paper.  Once I get it there, I tell myself I don't have to try to remember it now, and let my mind be clear of those responsibilities.  Sometimes an entire page of things to do spills out in a fury, but then it's on the paper, and suddenly I am free to concentrate on my practice.

I do this, too!

[m19834]

Apparently I feel the need to further comment regarding what scientists say about concentration, and my attitude towards it.  I am not necessarily dismissing it, I am not trying to prove it wrong or necessarily extend my concentration past it, at least not because of what scientists say.  Obviously we need breaks when we practice, and perhaps if a person has no concept of when they are getting tired and when they are not, and have been practicing with complete unawareness regarding this, then having some kind of time-frame to help structure practicing can be helpful.

I just think it's important that any information like that is taken as only a (loose) guideline to help out with a person's practicing when/if needed (and actually useful), but I think it's harmful when these things become the defining characteristics, or upper limits, of how a person approaches their practicing and entire concept of themselves.  "I am a human being who is only capable of this statistic, therefore anything I wish to accomplish must be organized accordingly."  Yikes !

Gotta run, my concentration for this post has lapsed  .

[pianowolfi]

I make a difference between practicing craft (velocity, motoric memory, learning the score, resolving technical problems etc.) and practicing at concert-state. When I prepare for concerts I do a lot of 1 to 1 play through the whole program, with or without audience. The sort of concentration I need for this is different than the concentration for craft things. It's a completely different state of mind, musicians use to call it "flow". It's concentration on a higher level, the level of creativity. It is full awareness but ideally also full craftsmanship. It's comparable to what sportsmen call "steady state". This needs to be practiced as well, regularly. And at some point you will notice that your "normal" allday concentration span does not play a role anymore.

[momopi]

but, I have found it helpful in the past to keep a piece of paper next to the piano so when I am practicing and my mind starts trying to remind me of the particular emails that I am needing to send, or the people I need to be calling back, or the other pressing matters I may have, that I just take a brief moment to write those things that I need to do, down on the piece of paper.  Once I get it there, I tell myself I don't have to try to remember it now, and let my mind be clear of those responsibilities.  Sometimes an entire page of things to do spills out in a fury, but then it's on the paper, and suddenly I am free to concentrate on my practice.

I do this, too!

It's a good advice and I wish I could do it too... I don't really think of anything specific nor other responsibilities that I should be doing. 

Oh well, I'll find a way to snap out of it. 

Thanks everyone!

Btw, for those who teach, what do you do when your student lacks attention during lessons? (I was very attentive during lessons though... back then when I was still taking them)

[db05]

There's a certain threshold that I know I'm thinking too much, and it's not going to help practicing. There are days when I don't practice at all. However, I make it a point to be able to play a few finished pieces even when I'm not in the mood.

Let's consider that you DO have to practice, and with a lot of concentration. Possibly memorizing a new piece and/ or working on technical studies. The best way is to do this first thing in the morning, when your mind isn't clouded by anything. I set a priority work before I sit at the piano, and work on it as long as it takes. Before, I'd have made detailed plans to work on different things, but it backfired - the planning and taking down notes were VERY distracting. So I learned to just let it go, which actually made for better progress these past few days. Whew! Although my teacher must be baffled, that I get to finish some, and neglect some. LOL!

momopi, funny how this would come from me, but it feels as if you're being pressured to practice piano. Oh please don't beat yourself up so. If you're busy elsewhere, make piano your "me" time. And just have fun with it. Once you're happy enough and in the moment, your concentration would be 100%.

Welcome back, nice to see you again, and hope this helps! 

[shinerl]

Absend mindedness can be caused by Daydreaming of your future Achievements.

THen you are to write down what to do in your practice.

Let us say.
   *Play staff 11~12 for 16 times in Adagio then proceed faster to Allegro.

And so on

[go12_3]

I'm finding myself being absent minded in a lot of things lately..........just too much stuff going on in my life,  hence,  absent-minded during practice................

[db05]

Lately, there have been a lot of distractions for me, too. But it was just a question of willpower. That can go a long way.

[lostinidlewonder]

When we study piano we can often float in that that ambiguous state of progress. Where it seems like we are learning something but we are actually learning nothing new and the brain is just being lazy repeating what you already know but want to feel insecure about thus not allowing us to move on etc etc etc.

Often it is a simply logical statement that needs to be observed and highlighted then one can move on. Often when you learn something new at the keyboard you can start thinking "I sorta know it but the chances are I might forget it." it is fine to be in this state but some people stagnate on sections. What you have to do is highlight a point of weakness in the score for you, solidify it with a statement and logic which you can consciously observe. Then you move on even though you might not totally get it.

I have always kept this close to me "What gets written, gets done."  So take stock of everything when you study a piece. This allows you to move on even if you haven't acquired muscular memory of phrases. Too many people stay in one place and resist to move on until they have completely mastered a small section.

The problem is with a single piece there are different difficulties facing us. Too many people take a single approach to their music, that is master small sections at a time. One should strive to learn the entire piece at a time and home in on the mastery. There will be parts which can be learned very fast they will reveal themselves first as you study the piece in its entirety. You will pin point certain parts which cause problems but many of these will naturally improve themselves with some conscious consideration about particular notes and pattern observation. One requires good sight reading skills to take on this approach. When you start wandering and getting mindless, practice your sight reading, that way you have no choice  but to focus. You tend to collapse exhausted before your mind wanders

Unfortunately if it is a technical issue these things can take a long time to reveal themselves. Much more often than not , it is a bad choice to choose pieces which give you technical challenges which totally stunt your progress to learn the piece.

[csharp_minor]

Lately, my mind seems to wander off when I try to practice. So, I end up wasting time during my practice instead of learning more.

I feel like I'm not practicing at all - just mechanically pressing the keys. Did anyone of you feel this before?

Its recently been happening to me, after I learn a challenging piece my practice usually dips a little but then soon picks up again. It’s annoying though I often am absent minded or scatter brained as I sit down to play a piece, play a few bars make a mistake - then play something else! I keep jumping from one piece to another and back . Need to get more of a routine like had when I just started learning the piano.

I think I do progress, but really slowly when doing it that way. Its better to pratice a piece and give your full attention to it.

[mike saville]

I would suggest that before each session you write down what it is you want to achieve in that session - how will you know when you have finished practice for that session? Please don't be someone that thinks they've finished just because they've done x amount of minutes. Practice until you have completed what you set out at the start.

I find that focusing on targets and not time dramatically improves the wandering mind that you describe.

[momopi]

I can now practice better now that my university thesis (undergrad) is finished! 

Well, I still make a looooooot of mistakes. But I feel happier! I missed my piano!!!

[db05]

I can now practice better now that my university thesis (undergrad) is finished! 

Well, I still make a looooooot of mistakes. But I feel happier! I missed my piano!!!

Yay, momopi is back!

[momopi]

Hehe! You missed me? 

*hugs*

How are your piano and guitar classes?

[db05]

Hehe! You missed me? 

*hugs*

How are your piano and guitar classes?

Fine. 

[momopi]

Fine. 

>_____>

What's with the rolling eyes?

[maisymouse]

when i practise, my mind would sometimes wander off to trivial things, eg. what my friend said earlier. but my hands never get interrupted or play with mistakes. then i would probably realise i've spaced off and pull myself back again. this even happens when i'm having lessons! luckily, my teacher has never noticed. is this kinda weird? lol.

[go12_3]

it is normal for the human mind to be absent-minded or wonder as we practice. 
But with smaller sections and 15 minutes of practice with breaks in between, does help the
mind to re-focus upon what is needful in practicing.  Then the mind won't be apt to wonder as much.  I have found lately that my practicing has been more enjoyable with smaller practice sessions on each piece I am learning, whether the piece is easy or difficult or sight-reading. 
When there are stresses and circumstances occur , then it would be difficult for the mind to focus very much nor for a very long period of time.  Take a break from practicing and refresh the mind with doing something else to ease the clutter that often occurs in our lives due to stress and issues that we have to deal with on a daily basis. Then go to something physical, like a walk or exercise;   talk to someone who lends a listening ear, and then the mind can focus better when practicing.  It's important to feel good physcially and mentally to keep focused while practicing.

best wishes,

go12_3

[dr. j]

Focus during practice - a challenge for all of us.  We lead busy exciting lives and are used to multi-tasking so no wonder it is difficult to focus on the work of playing the piano.  Figuring out how to leave the other cares of the day behind and focus on your piano study is a challenge.  Have you tried warming up with a favorite piece before tackling the new pieces, playing scales or chord progressions, or sight reading a new piece.  Once the focus comes then is when the work of the practice session should start.  Happy practicing.

Dr. J

[hitthekey]

I find that I lose interest when things turn into a routine. Like if I have to do something for x hours at x time. I'll only do something if I want to, not because I feel that I have to. If I force myself to play, I become bored and absent-minded. Besides, we wouldn't play if we didn't want to would we?

[m19834]

I am finding that there is a big difference between trying to achieve "focus" as a somewhat static "state of mind" vs. a kind of attention-to-specific-ideas that is always changing, and quite active and dynamic.  Ever since I started learning my music from the walls, I feel that my ability to focus has increased exponentially, though sometimes I still have to get pretty strict with myself to let myself be willing to actually learn something and think in specific ways.  

The main difference between trying to achieve a static state of mind called "focus" vs. active attention to something specific, is that in one case -the first one- I feel like I am supposed to be trying to clear my head of everything (NOT going to happen  ), whereas the other -the second- I am actually filling it to the brim with something specific (and music-related), so there simply isn't room for anything else !  So long as I am actively trying to achieve something when I sit down to play (and it can be somewhat different every, single time), my mind is filled with the music.  If I find myself thinking about other things, it is because I have stopped trying to actively achieve something in the music.  I am developing a kind of "cue" in myself where, if I suddenly realize I am thinking about something else, I become active in trying to achieve something specific in the music.  

If a piece of music is "learned" without analysis, what a person can be actively trying to achieve in playing becomes much more limited, imo.  Whereas a constant kind of analysis in recognizing how harmonies function, what kinds of progressions are being used, what kinds of cadences those progressions are leading to, what kind of form the piece has, what dynamics and articulations are being used (and why), etc. etc. etc., keeps the mind very active and involved in, filled up with, and focused on the music.