Going into a transe

[in_love_with_liszt]

I've noticed this for a few years now, when I have performances or competitions, when I'm up there playing I go into a kind of transe and all knowledge of the outside world drops away and I'm focused on one sole thing: the music, as if it's flowing past me in slow motion. The interesting thing about this is afterwards I have virtually no memory at all of the performance, the last thing I remember is walking up to the piano. This never happens when I'm practicing. Kind of freaky, but kind of interesting, can anyone else relate to this?

[benji]

Bernhard did an amazing job of explaining the "trance" phenomenon in this thread (beginning in reply #12):

https://www.pianoforum.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=stud;action=display;num=1087468817

[donjuan]

I dont think my performance skills are good enough to be able to move into another state of concsiousness.  All I usually remember is being scared shitless!
donjuan

[Motrax]

Watch your language!  

You really don't need any special performance skills to go into a good state of mind. It just takes a measure of self-understanding. I tend to be reflective and pensive much of the time, it seems to help with performing (though that's not why I act that way).

I guess yoga and medition and martial arts (and whatever else Bernhard mentioned) are fine, too, but what's important is that you develop your own sense of self. When you understand yourself, it becomes much easier to reach any state of mind you wish.

Also, always take the time before playing to sit in silence and clear your heart and head. Even if you spend a full minue sitting still, if the performance is better because you took a little extra time, nobody will remember how long you spent in preperation.