When you are practicing, do you sometimes find your fingers moving, but your mind is not focused on the music?
The key is awareness - paying attention to what’s going at the moment.
When we are not focused, we are distracted. Distractions may include the things happening around us, our thoughts, and feelings. For instance, thinking about what’s for dinner, worrying about an exam, or daydreaming. Stop practicing if you become aware of distractions!
How do we regain focus? First, by accepting the distractions and then choosing to focus our attention on sight, hearing, feelings, and understanding. We then become aware of the music.
Here are some ways to help you be more focused when you practice:
1. Focus on Sight: keep your. eyes on the score and visualize playing it from memory. Imagine what your fingers and body look like while you’re playing.
2. Focus on Sound: By listening to the music you are playing, you will become less distracted of the sounds in the environment and even the ’small talks’ in your head (i.e. what’s for dinner?) You become more present and give yourself better feedback about how you are playing.
3. Focus on Feelings: Be aware of how you feel when you are playing the music - are they the feelings you want to express in the music? How your body feels while playing the music? Knowing the physical and emotional feelings will help you become more absorbed in the music.
4. Physical Ques: Engage your body with the music by dancing, singing, foot tapping, and conducting.
5. Be able to hear the music in your head before/while playing.
6. Have learning goals - daily, weekly, long term goals.
7. When you start to learn a piece - keep in mind how it will sound, what feelings you want to express, what it is that you’re playing.