I like this. We are always wanting to know how to focus and concentrate better. There are many blocks. One is thinking "am I focusing?" and the analysis that follows in our head, totally making focus impossible.
To each his own all-too-real thoughts that are about how to get better, which hinder the progres...
I'm amazed that when you left the bow stroke to do it's own thing, and focused on your body...it slowed down. When I continue to play while thinking body position and sensation thoughts, when I come back to what I'm playing, it has speeded up. I suppose this means that my thoughts about relaxing are actually stressful. How frustrating! And normal!!!
From Stephen Brivati Posted from 210.172.213.190 on November 22, 2006 at 12:37 AM (GMT)
Greetings, >I'm amazed that when you left the bow stroke to do it's own thing, and focused on your body...it slowed down. When I continue to play while thinking body position and sensation thoughts, when I come back to what I'm playing, it has speeded up.
Well, not necessarily. Speeding up requires being in a more relaxed state. It requires much less use of effort than slow playing. When I read your words though I get a veyr strong sense of separation between mind and body. I think you are just too damn bright. Is it possible you are actually sending instructions to yourself along the lines of `oh, I seem to be a bit slumped here. Time to sit up straighter, that should improve things, blah, blah.` Simple awrness of the self , which has no disticntion between mind and body is qualitatively different. It might help to do a whole body awareness exercise before you practice so that the thinking you associate with `playing the violin correctly` is not triggered. I mena just sitting and obserivng whatver sensations oyu have in your left foot, then your right, then both, Then the left calf (and foot) then both slowly workign up the body. Idle thoughts, Buri
I will try that tomorrow. Now I'm interested to know what will happen to my playing when I'm thinking about my toes! Usually it is the opposite. Trying to reign in the concentration to focus so strictly on what aspect of a certain detail needs attention.
I think my toes do need some extra attention anyway!
Definately think performers have a hard time from letting the body and mind seperate. Partly out of fear...survival on the stage. I call it a "stage coma". It is amazing how far apart our mind and body can go with the push of adrenalin and many eyes watching.
Comments
Posted from 24.230.155.82 on November 21, 2006 at 1:37 AM (GMT)
~AnnMarie
Posted from 24.179.13.16 on November 21, 2006 at 5:42 AM (GMT)
Posted from 172.195.116.213 on November 21, 2006 at 7:54 PM (GMT)
Posted from 74.237.154.237 on November 21, 2006 at 11:48 PM (GMT)
To each his own all-too-real thoughts that are about how to get better, which hinder the progres...
I'm amazed that when you left the bow stroke to do it's own thing, and focused on your body...it slowed down. When I continue to play while thinking body position and sensation thoughts, when I come back to what I'm playing, it has speeded up.
I suppose this means that my thoughts about relaxing are actually stressful.
How frustrating! And normal!!!
JW
Posted from 74.237.154.237 on November 21, 2006 at 11:52 PM (GMT)
JW
Posted from 210.172.213.190 on November 22, 2006 at 12:37 AM (GMT)
>I'm amazed that when you left the bow stroke to do it's own thing, and focused on your body...it slowed down. When I continue to play while thinking body position and sensation thoughts, when I come back to what I'm playing, it has speeded up.
Well, not necessarily. Speeding up requires being in a more relaxed state. It requires much less use of effort than slow playing.
When I read your words though I get a veyr strong sense of separation between mind and body. I think you are just too damn bright.
Is it possible you are actually sending instructions to yourself along the lines of `oh, I seem to be a bit slumped here. Time to sit up straighter, that should improve things, blah, blah.` Simple awrness of the self , which has no disticntion between mind and body is qualitatively different. It might help to do a whole body awareness exercise before you practice so that the thinking you associate with `playing the violin correctly` is not triggered. I mena just sitting and obserivng whatver sensations oyu have in your left foot, then your right, then both, Then the left calf (and foot) then both slowly workign up the body.
Idle thoughts,
Buri
Posted from 74.237.154.237 on November 23, 2006 at 1:19 AM (GMT)
I think my toes do need some extra attention anyway!
Definately think performers have a hard time from letting the body and mind seperate. Partly out of fear...survival on the stage. I call it a "stage coma". It is amazing how far apart our mind and body can go with the push of adrenalin and many eyes watching.
Sals,
JW