concentration

Billy B · Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 9:29 am Post subject: concentration

Students often say they can’t hear the details of the sound because they lost their concentration. If they would take the time to listen deeply to the details of the sound their concentration will follow.
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Bill Bergren

mafields627 · Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 9:43 am Post subject:

I think this is a very interesting statement. Have you observed this getting worse over the years you have played and taught?

Particularly over the past few COVID years I have noticed that very few of my students have the ability to intensely focus on anything for a length of time. I also teach several classes in a computer lab and the students absolutely cannot handle silence in the room.
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--Matt--

No representation is made that the quality of this post is greater than the quality of that of any other poster. Oh, and get a teacher!

JayKosta · Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 9:49 am Post subject:

Do the students claim that they've 'lost their concentration' on ALL aspects of playing, or that their concentration on 'details of sound' has declined due to increased concentration on some other aspect of playing?

Is there a type of teaching that identifies the various aspects of playing that the student should always be aware of, and how to 'balance' their concentration among the various aspects.

edit: perhaps it's a matter of 'being aware' of doing all the aspects as instructed, and to 'clearly hear the sound' as the end-product of doing (and adjusting) those aspects.
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Most Important Note ? - the next one !
KNOW (see) what the next note is BEFORE you have to play it.
PLAY the next note 'on time' and 'in rhythm'.
Oh ya, watch the conductor - they set what is 'on time'.

PH · Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 9:57 am Post subject:

kehaulani · Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 10:12 am Post subject:

Richard III · Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 10:30 am Post subject:

Take their phones away.
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Richard

King 1130 Flugabone
King 12C mouthpiece

mcstock · Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2022 3:44 am Post subject: Re: concentration

A theory professor at UNT who studied cognition, learning strategies, etc. made the point that we shouldn’t use the word “concentrate” as it has connotations of effect, struggle, and almost inevitable failure. Instead he wanted you to become fascinated by what you’re working on. Much more useful frame of mind.

Matt

Billy B · Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2022 5:03 am Post subject:

The point I am making is cause and effect. You listen to achieve concentration, not the other way around. It is as simple as that.
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Bill Bergren

Billy B · Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2022 5:05 am Post subject: Re: concentration

Andy Cooper · Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2022 8:34 am Post subject:

You are waiting for a friend in a crowded restaurant (think Cracker Barrel). The acoustics are pretty "live". You are surrounded by a babble of sound.Your friend arrives - "I just saw Fred Smith as I came in" she states. (Fred has a distinctive regional accent and trademark laugh.)

Yep - you hear him and then his laugh. Fred had been talking and laughing before your friend arrived but you did not notice him. Now you can make out parts of his conversation in the midst of the babble.

If, when your friend had arrived, she had simply directed you to concentrate on the sounds around you - would you have noticed Fred or just the fireplace crackling, a toddler crying ?

So is the problem with "hearing" or "concentration" - or the lack of a good audio "picture" of the search item to concentrate on.

(Keep in mind - the sound you hear behind the horn in a practice room is not the sound the audience hears. Time spent playing in an empty auditorium is well spent.)