Maintaining Concentration

[stanton]

Most of the concerts I play in large ensembles tend to be in the 2 hour length. This is not an extraorinarily long period.

However, most conductors that I've played under feel a need to have a pre-concert "warmup" rehearsal. Some are gentle and run 30 minutes, but I've played under some crazy conductors that can run 1hr+ rehearsals.

Endurance is obviously one issue from us trumpet guys, but I have a bigger issue... CONCENTRATION. As an example, there is a 1:00pm rehearsal that can last up to an hr, with an hr off. But the concert runs from 3-5pm. Even though we have an hour off between rehearsal and concert I can't turn off the adrenaline. By the time we get toward the end of the concert my concentration is spent. Maybe its ADHD, but two hours of intensity is a whole lot different than maintaining focus for 4 hours.

Does anyone else have this issue where they are mentally wasted toward the end? Does anyone have any tips for extending the ability to stay in the game til the end? Just curious.

Stanton
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[MichaelM2]

I have had the same experiences and the older I get the more pronounced it becomes. I think a lot has to do with how tired you become. As you're performance quality wanes (for both yourself and the group), we tend to lose focus and the downward spiral continues. For me I try to refocus on the basics and put more air in the horn. I will also count rests more carefully as the other 'unconcentrating' members tend to miss entrances and if you ain't countin' you end up lost if you're just listening for a familiar passage.

Mike

[murph66]

I play in 5 different groups but only one has a pre performance rehearsal, that is the MS Baptist Symphony. That group has a retreat in January and then only gets together for performances during the year. As it is common for us to have not seen each other in three or four months, we do run through the program the afternoon before we play. However, I do not have a concentration issue during the performance, as that is when we have an audience and I concentrate on doing my best for them. I just take it easy during the rehearsal, relax, get reacquainted with the music, and get ready to play. Maybe this may help your issues with concentration. Save the adrenaline for the performance.
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[shofarguy]

I pretty much tend to cut-up and act like a male donkey leading up to the performance. Humor keeps my mind alert without the weight of getting notes right. It may irk some directors, but hey! I figure I actually PLAY notes, so-o-o... Besides, having good-natured fun often helps the ensemble gel when it is time to perform. OR, everyone gets so mad, they just want to get the thing over with and get away from me!

If I know the music, as a whole (not just my part), it tends to "play" itself more. Since getting a better trumpet, I spend MUCH less concentration trying to wrestle the music out of the horn.

Brian
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[cheiden]

I've found that if I concentrate on precision and trying to get everything exactly right that I that can't do it for very long without fatigue. Instead if I concentrate on the singing/lyrical/expressive aspects that I can go longer without fading
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[pepperdean]

I've played in one group where the conductor decided to hold a full-blown rehearsal before the concert. That sure cemented my opinion of that conductor.

Now, on the other side of the podium, the community band I conduct is preparing several new, challenging pieces for a series of concerts at the end of April. Concentration is something we deal with in our 90-minute rehearsals. The new pieces rehearsed later in the evening are always the roughest. We spoke about maintaining concentration last week.

We really have some fine musicians in our group. At 65, I am one of the younger members. I'm wondering if physical fatigue may be a significant factor.

We're working in it. I'll keep y'all posted if something clicks.

Alan

[MichaelM2]

Age is absolutely a factor at 63 towards the end of a rough rehearsal or performance the only thing I can concentrate on is going home. I start staring at the clock and direction seems to go in one ear and out the other. If you have a point to make do it early in the rehearsal, be sure to get the attention of those involved ( I tend to go into sleep mode when the director starts talking to the clarinets.) force them to use a pencil, the old are forgetful.

Mike

[JobyMF]

Focus and concentration, for me is very personal.
I do what i need to to keep that focus and intensity.
Sometimes that is eating a meal, going for a walk, listening to my headphones(anywhere from Pops to Boss to OP and coltrane. Lately indie music, stravinsky and copland.)
a good ol joint helps too. sippin on a beer or spirits may help, but you know your body and your limit (drinking isnt my thing.)
If youre comfortable, playing will be more fun.


Simply put, your job isnt done until the curtains close.
If you leave the rehearsal thinking youre done, well your expectations were let down, really for no reason.
Thats a long rehearsal/gig time for anyone, really, so props to you for doing one that long.

Only other thing i can think of is just not being into the music.
WHich I understand where youre coming from. Especially in a concert band setting.

[Pinsel]

I am a trumpet beginner, so I can give you no advice from experience, but in my psychology class I learned that things like concentration are of course limited by fatigue. Stress inflicted on us limits cognitive ressources which are needed to keep those processes up. This also includes stress to the body, not only mental stress. I don´t know how you are set physically, but maybe some physical workout to strengthen the organism in order to make it more resistant could benefit you. If you have for example high blood pressure, it will limit your cognitive ressources.

Or simply "Mens sana in corpore sano" . (a sound mind in a healthy body)

[PacoTheTrumpeter]

Just like breathing and posture, concentration is an essential aspect of performance that can be practiced without using an instrument. Find an approach to meditation that works for you, and see if that doesn't result, over time, in greater ease dealing with the situation you have described.

[kehaulani]

Get a good night's sleep. Don't overdo any physical activity on the day of the marathon, but don't underdo it either. Too little activity can make some people lethargic.

I carb up + fresh fruit + a little bit of chocolate for short and long range energy. I've been known to take a nice little drink of a freshly brewed espresso on the way out the door.

Arrive early enough to put all your stuff where it belongs, to greet people, to look over your music, and to get a good warm-up.

Those are my answers to the OP's questions. Now a general comment. As a player, I was in an ensemble for six years that went pretty much through the concert before the concert and I abhor that for chop reasons and for the exact reason the OP brings up, concentration; additionally stamina on a general level. I never felt that the ensemble did it's best because of it.

My feeling is that if you, the conductor, have to have a rehearsal that does more than brush up on some problematic places in the music, it's on you not the players. You have not prepared the organisation well and you have not planned the overall demands of the program and what it took to prepare it properly, well. And I say, "a pox on thee!"
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[stanton]

[Branson]

I was having the same problem when playing two or three shows a day. A piano player on the Welk orchestra told me what he did to improve concentration. He said he took a shower before every show. Sounds strange but I tried it and it works.
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