Keep eyes fixed in the sheet?

[gleeok]

Uhm, I noticed I take sudden looks at the keys every now and then when I'm reading and playing, maybe the peripheral vision of the keys is not enough and I have to take sudden looks to localize where my fingers are so I can continue playing, whoever that doesn't seem to affect reading badly, but still makes me slower when speed (reading and playing) is needed. I can play with the "dark" peripheral vision (where you unconsciously perceives the keys), but the lack of confidence makes it impossible to play faster when doing this. The thing is, should I keep my eyes exclusively for reading or is it alright to take smooth, faint looks on the keys ? Is this a psychological*, or a practical habit ? Or both?

*As an habit that is just for making sure you are doing it right, therefore a confidence issue, and not practical.

[faulty_damper]

It simply means your tactile memory is not secure as you read which compels you to look down.  It's the same as looking at your computer keyboard to type when you started learning how to type.

Keep looking until you are secure.  There is nothing wrong with what you are doing.  It only indicates that you are still in the process of learning.  Only when you are secure do you not look.

[iansinclair]

Broad generalisations are dangerous, but... in pieces where the hand does not move much on the keyboard, I'd certainly agree with faulty_damper.  And, of course, the definition of "much" is variable with how much experience and skill you have.  It's also somewhat variable with a particular note sequence (for example, the left hand in Chopin Op. 9 No. 1 has moderately wide skips, but is really only slightly out of reach from one hand position for most folks) and really shouldn't need looking at.  On the other hand, there are pieces where a hand has to move a long distance without a pivot -- same nocturne, measure 18, right hand two octaves and a third -- where, in my humble opinion, it would probably be best to look at where you are going...

[j_menz]

IMO it's OK to look where you need to, but the goal is not to need to.  One way of developing your keyboard feel is to notice where you are having to look and practice those bits so you can do them without looking.

[gleeok]

@All

Thanks for the comments, suggestions and instructions! You guys are the best