Concentration

[ThEmUsIcMaNBJ]

I find that I get 10 times more done in a long practice session when I'm fully concentrated on what I'm doing.  It is however really difficult to stay in the present all the time.  Maybe for 30 seconds I'm really concentrated on what I'm doing and for the next 20 I'm off thinking about something else.  Now that I've realized how important it is to concentrate while practicing I always focus on getting back into concentrating on what I'm doing.  But my question is...  Is it possible to actually be completely concentrated for say a 6 hour practice session with small breaks every once in a while? 

I think what I'm asking, is if it being completely 100% concentrated on what your practicing is something that I can strive for.  Or if everyone loses their concentration pretty quickly and it's just something we have to fight with?

Hopefully I get a long reply from Berhard 

[bernhard]

Have a look here:


https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2082.msg17230.html#msg17230
(how to concentrate).

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2061.msg17178.html#msg17178
(how to deal with boredom)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2241.msg19043.html#msg19043
(short attention span)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5179.msg49593.html#msg49593
(concentration, attention and consciousness)

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[sznitzeln]

In meditation you can learn a great deal about concentration.
Chech this out if you want
www.dhamma.org
I actually did that course. You can ask me about it if you want. (Its free)

Concentration also comes as you learn to love music more and more and get used to practice. Beginners have no concentration. After a couple of years you can concentrate so long that you burn out all your energy. I have a problem of not taking breaks when I need them. So I can be quite exhausted when I stop playing.
The more you get into practicing and listening to music, the longer you can concentrate, this will not be a problem in the long run.

[chopintod]

After a couple of years you can concentrate so long that you burn out all your energy. I have a problem of not taking breaks when I need them. So I can be quite exhausted when I stop playing.
The more you get into practicing and listening to music, the longer you can concentrate, this will not be a problem in the long run.

I have the same problem!  My brain's nearly shot right now as I'm trying to learn the Revolutionary Etude and Fantasie-Impromptu at the same time...bad idea.

Terry

[milkcarton08]

If you can't concentrate for 30 seconds, maybe you have add, or some other disorder. I'm sure there are pills for that. Maybe your just not into the peice you are playing, find music that keeps your interest, i know if I was forced to play jazz, i wouldn't be able to concentrate for more than a couple of seconds.

- michael

[c18cont]

May I support,

The comment on ADHD, Or ADD, Far more common than once believed.

It is ALWAYS a possibility, and I speak from experience as a music and math teacher for many years, having worked with several support groups for students. It is not easy to overcome without help, but that depends upon the depth of the problem...

John Cont