getting hypnotized by music

[Bob]

Argh... I've got a slow, steady beat piece.  Only a few chords.  Kind of drones on and on. 

I find my mind starting to drift off as I'm practicing it.

Does anyone else get that?  I've had it happen before.  I don't have a great solution for it. 

Does anyone know what causes it and how to prevent it?  I need to be able to practice the piece and then still perform it. 

I remember having that happen once or twice during a performance but a little nervousness helps with that. 

It's like the right side of my brain is just shutting off.  Typing this is helping me to shake out of it but ugh... I don't know what to think about that effect or what to do about it.  Drink more coffee I guess.  I'd hate to really zone out like that during a performance.

[brogers70]

What's the piece?

[Bob]

A pop piece.  Verse, refrain.  Three chords, or something close to it. 

[m1469]

mmmmmm ... hypnotism by music ... so delicious *drools*

Actually, I've been dying to post about my new "trick" for staying focused during practicing, though I haven't even completely enacted it yet.  I am going to keep photos in a frame of extremely motivating (for me) individuals on my piano.  Individuals I would only want to play my absolute very best for, no matter what I'm playing, and they will be staring straight at me.  Do it, Bob, do it.  Plus, now I'm going to have an audience   (muah ha ha haaa).

[Bob]

That sounds a little creepy.  Although there are those little composer busts.  I thought those were kind of cool.

I don't want people looking at me.  I just want to know what this zoning out thing is and how to get around it.  Although... I suppose it is some of of trance state from the music.  I need to focus more.  Maybe my conscious attention is being pushed aside by the music.  I think I could get it back but this is too much to focus on, too much of a push into a zoned out state.

[m1469]

Yeah, one will be a photo of my kitty that used to come and jump up on my lap when I played.  He was my best friend and was always very encouraging towards my practicing.  Others will be composers, etc.  People always talk about imagining them.  I say, don't just imagine them.

[Bob]

*Bob puts up a "No drooling" sign.*  This is a drool-free thread zone.

Back on topic... How to get un-hypnotized with trance-like music?

[m1469]

Hey!  I wasn't off topic until this very post!  Now, I'm going to get my beauty rest; I have a big life to live  

[mistermoe]

First i think drifting of and loosing yourself in music is one of the greatest feeling one can experience (together with pain, love - perhaps because we feel those 2 in the music....whatever)

Something i realized when "drifting away" is, it's not only in your head. It also affects your body a lot.
If you focus on your body, getting him in the right position, you'll probably also stay focused on the music.

[m1469]

If you focus on your body, getting him in the right position ...

That sounds funny  .  But, along those lines, it can be quite true!

I have now enacted my new idea and even though it's not my kitty nor any composers, I have two framed photos on my piano and ... it's like being in heaven   .  

[mistermoe]

That sounds funny  .

oops 

[Bob]

You could put a framed question mark up and let that be Bernhard.

I still have to hack away at this music tonight....

[m1469]

You could put a framed question mark up and let that be Bernhard.

I'll put one up that reads "er ..." "tip of the iceberg" etc.  But, actually.  No.

I still have to hack away at this music tonight....

haha ... joke's on you .  But, seriuosly, if it's so repetitive, why do you have to practice it so darned much anyway?  hm?