Strange condition - but is bothering me

[002517]

Hello,

When I practice scales or Hanon, and sometimes when I play pieces, I start to blink and squint a lot. Like, really a lot. And I get distracted and I have trouble seeing what I am playing. Also, sometimes I look away and turn my head a little from watching my fingers play. Both of them are unconscious behaviours, but then shortly, I notice that I am doing it. I don't know how to get rid of it. What do you think may be happening? Does this happen to you too?

Thank you.

[faulty_damper]

What kind of lighting are you using? Fluorescent? Incandescent? LED?

[hfmadopter]

Well the last time I found my eyes blinking and squinting they finally ended up dripping and itching and I was getting head aches at the end. I needed a correction in reading glasses. But not one like you might think, where they would be more powerful. But ones for an intermediate distance which are considerably weaker than my standard reading glasses. FWIW.

[louispodesta]

Hello,

When I practice scales or Hanon, and sometimes when I play pieces, I start to blink and squint a lot. Like, really a lot. And I get distracted and I have trouble seeing what I am playing. Also, sometimes I look away and turn my head a little from watching my fingers play. Both of them are unconscious behaviours, but then shortly, I notice that I am doing it. I don't know how to get rid of it. What do you think may be happening? Does this happen to you too?

Thank you.

Before I weigh in, I need to know just how many minutes/hours are relegated to your various practice routines.

[Bob]

Dry eyes from staring at a score or the keys?

You could try playing with your eyes closed. 

[002517]

What kind of lighting are you using? Fluorescent? Incandescent? LED?

I use flourescent lights.

Well the last time I found my eyes blinking and squinting they finally ended up dripping and itching and I was getting head aches at the end. I needed a correction in reading glasses. But not one like you might think, where they would be more powerful. But ones for an intermediate distance which are considerably weaker than my standard reading glasses. FWIW.

Mine is not as serious as yours, but maybe I need glasses. People have commented on how I squint my eyes when I read signs. But that's the long distance. I can see objects close to me in detail.

Dry eyes from staring at a score or the keys?

You could try playing with your eyes closed.  

Are there any disadvantages with playing eyes closed? I might try that.

[j_menz]

Mine is not as serious as yours, but maybe I need glasses. People have commented on how I squint my eyes when I read signs. But that's the long distance. I can see objects close to me in detail.

Go get your eyes tested. Seriously.

Are there any disadvantages with playing eyes closed? I might try that.

It makes sightreading difficult. Otherwise, no.

[hfmadopter]

Are there any disadvantages with playing eyes closed? I might try that.

As noted already, sight reading is rather difficult that way. On the flip side if you really know the piece then playing with eyes shut frees you right up to put your mind on expressing the music. I play a lot of my own music these days or arrangements I've done over of various pieces and play a fair amount with eyes shut actually. I also glance off around the room when playing, maybe cock my head slightly to hear certain tones I'm looking for on my grand and key in on the touch  required to gain a repeatable touch for that tone ( I'm getting old, my left ear doesn't here with the same quality as my right or vice versa!). I tend to bob my head ever so slightly to the beat, almost just a muscle flex or contraction than a bob actually and with eyes shut this feels way more accentuated. You can really meld with the piano this way I think. I'm not good enough that this could be 100% doable, I need a glance here and there of the keys but it's a great tool.

Another thing I do is just watch one hand sometimes, the fingering in the right perhaps and just let the left go . This gets easier to do after some time of eyes shut playing.

[louispodesta]

Before I weigh in, I need to know just how many minutes/hours are relegated to your various practice routines.

The reason I asked is that I practice two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon (some of which uses the score, and some not).  In between, I spend at least a couple of hours on the computer.

Combined with my driving time to the markets during my mid-day break, this results in major eye fatigue.  So, it is important that I know what your day is like because it directly relates to the effect on your eyes.

[002517]

Go get your eyes tested. Seriously.

Okey dokey.

It makes sightreading difficult. Otherwise, no.

It would make sight reading impossible, no? Haha.  

As noted already, sight reading is rather difficult that way. On the flip side if you really know the piece then playing with eyes shut frees you right up to put your mind on expressing the music. I play a lot of my own music these days or arrangements I've done over of various pieces and play a fair amount with eyes shut actually. I also glance off around the room when playing, maybe cock my head slightly to hear certain tones I'm looking for on my grand and key in on the touch  required to gain a repeatable touch for that tone ( I'm getting old, my left ear doesn't here with the same quality as my right or vice versa!). I tend to bob my head ever so slightly to the beat, almost just a muscle flex or contraction than a bob actually and with eyes shut this feels way more accentuated. You can really meld with the piano this way I think. I'm not good enough that this could be 100% doable, I need a glance here and there of the keys but it's a great tool.

Another thing I do is just watch one hand sometimes, the fingering in the right perhaps and just let the left go . This gets easier to do after some time of eyes shut playing.

That's interesting. It sounds like you are more engaged and focused in your playing with your eyes shut. I have a habit of watching my left hand only while I play, but maybe if I practice with my eyes closed, that might help to break the habit!

The reason I asked is that I practice two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon (some of which uses the score, and some not).  In between, I spend at least a couple of hours on the computer.

Combined with my driving time to the markets during my mid-day break, this results in major eye fatigue.  So, it is important that I know what your day is like because it directly relates to the effect on your eyes.

I practice somewhat sporadically throughout the day. I might do one hour, then go do something else, then come back and do 40 minutes, etc. I'm usually on the computer in between practice sessions. But I don't feel any eye fatigue during the day. The blinking seems to happen to me only when I'm practicing. I wonder if it could be boredom (scales and Hanon is boring).

[hardy_practice]

You don't happen to taste the ink as well?  Or get a sore throat? Could be an allergy.  How's it go without a book in front of you?

[louispodesta]

Hello,

When I practice scales or Hanon, and sometimes when I play pieces, I start to blink and squint a lot. Like, really a lot. And I get distracted and I have trouble seeing what I am playing. Also, sometimes I look away and turn my head a little from watching my fingers play. Both of them are unconscious behaviours, but then shortly, I notice that I am doing it. I don't know how to get rid of it. What do you think may be happening? Does this happen to you too?

Thank you.

["The blinking seems to happen to me only when I'm practicing. I wonder if it could be boredom (scales and Hanon is boring)."]

Then try practicing without the Hanon and the scales.  Earl Wild, who had technique far beyond what you could ever imagine, refused to play or recommend this regimen.

It is a complete waste of time, and in your case, something very detrimental.

[faulty_damper]

I use flourescent lights.

Use incandescents; they don't flicker or give off UV radiation, both of which will cause eye fatigue.  More expensive alternative: use an LED bulb.

[002517]

You don't happen to taste the ink as well?  Or get a sore throat? Could be an allergy.  How's it go without a book in front of you?

Oh, no, I don't get that at all. I usually practice scales and Hanon without a book in front of me. But I don't think it's a book allergy.

["The blinking seems to happen to me only when I'm practicing. I wonder if it could be boredom (scales and Hanon is boring)."]

Then try practicing without the Hanon and the scales.  Earl Wild, who had technique far beyond what you could ever imagine, refused to play or recommend this regimen.

It is a complete waste of time, and in your case, something very detrimental.

Sometimes I wonder if this kind of technical work is actually helping me. I'll ease off on the Hanon, but I will still have to do scales for my exam.

Use incandescents; they don't flicker or give off UV radiation, both of which will cause eye fatigue.  More expensive alternative: use an LED bulb.

I've never had an LED light bulb before. But I'll try the incandescents.



Thank you all for your help and advise.