Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Why can't I focus?

I'm trying to record 2 pieces. No, make that I WAS trying to record. I gave up after repeated botch-ups.

Most of the errors were in the second half of the pieces, often near the end. Sometimes, I have no doubt, because of the thought that creeps into my mind "ah, I think I'm going to make it"... and then it crumbles.

I don't seem to be able to sustain focus - and let's face it- my pieces are NOT long and complicated. They're just right for my ability.

What are techniques you use for improving your focus and concentration. Clearly I'm missing something.

grrrrrr.

Suggestions very welcome!!

Do a SEARCH on these words ... red dot record anxiety panic


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I have the exact same problem. Every time I try to record, something goes wrong because, suddenly, I get nervous when I start to record. That sucks, because I can't record properly. And what pisses me off is all the mistakes I make are near the end.

Everytime I start to record the thought of "I can't make mistakes" overcome my mind or when things are going right I think "I'm making it. This is going to work" and then comes thousands of mistakes.

Red dot syndrome always creeps up, but I find a few things help me when I try to record:
- Have the piece learned. Any shaky parts will almost always collapse when recording, or as I had yesterday, when playing for friends.
- When you keep making mistakes and get annoyed, pause briefly. Calm down, collect yourself, sip some water or tea, and only then start over.
- If you really can't concentrate, just stop. Try again another time. We all have good days and bad days.
- It is probably a bad idea to record when you just woke up, got back from work, just ate food or are otherwise tired. Focus takes energy.
- It has been said that recording more often makes it easier. I don't record enough.

Edit:
- It's okay to make mistakes. You HAVE to allow yourself some mistakes, or you get too stressed. Even playing through horribly mistakes may be useful. If nothing else, you can later analyse what went wrong; or practise the problem areas separately; or decide it wasn't so bad after all and that one take is decent enough to post to the piano bar.

Thanks everyone for the replies.

I should clarify that today the irritation is because of recording. I'm willing to acknowledge and accept some nervousness because of the red dot, but I feel it is perhaps more than just a bit of performance anxiety and I have to find a way to improve my concentration.

Allard - you're very right about quitting before getting to frustrated (I did 3 too many tries today!!!) - and also not doing it late in the day. Early in the day is generally good for me, or mid-day. Any time after 6 there's just no point.

As for getting over the red dot complex I have been working at recording more so that it is more routine and not such a big deal. I also imagine that I'm just playing for someone who'll be particularly forgiving (Mom usually comes to mind ) to help me relax.

I never though I had a particularly short attention span, but now I'm really wondering.

I seem to be having the same problem with staying focused and it's not just when I am recording something. I record all my lessons and often just leave the recorer on during some practice sessions. During the past 2 years, I have chosen to play something for the adult recital that is only 2 pages. The piece I would like to play this year is 7 pages when you include the repeats and I can't seem to get to the end without mistakes. It is Chopin's Waltz in B minor so technically it's easier than some of my other pices. Musically, it's a differemt story to get the expression in it. My teacher has said he wants me to make him cry when I play this piece. I have it memorized both hands seperate as well as together and analyzed. I am not forgetting it but seem to lose my concentration before it is over. Yes, I do the same thing and think, I'm going to make it to the end and then I flub it up. I have practiced many parts alone and then put measures before and after together so I don't think the problem is any certain part as the mistakes come in random partsd and not always the same. I'll play the piece fine and then mess up when it repeats.

I'd recommend life style change. A hunter-gatherer diet suits me best.

Lately, instead of trying to ignore every distraction, I have switched to working on reducing the disruption that the distraction causes me. It is as though I say to myself, "yes, ok. there was a siren (or a wrong note, or a cat, or a reflection from outside). now get back to work'

But to make it faster:
Siren, okay, play

until the distraction becomes only a click
playing along/click/playing along

That's a lousy explanation. Brewer heard a meditation instruction years ago which states it quite simply, "Note the distraction and resume breathing."

Cheryl,

I don't know if this will work,but you might try recording just the second half of the piece. Or maybe record it backwards....second half,then first half. All this is just to get your brain over the hump of self doubt.

Whatever you do,give yourself a break, everyone struggles to get clean performances.

I agree with the advice that if you do not get it in the first few tries, stop trying for a while. I also have had the same problem of getting near the end and then screwing up. I have even missed the very last note because I think I have nailed it! The problem is not because of sketchy areas, it is because I know the recorder is running. So, now, I record everyday in attempt to make it no big deal. I record everything - big pieces and little pieces. I won't say it has completely cured the problem, but it is way better. I record practice runs of sections, half tempo runs, everything. I forget that the recorder is running, relax, and just play. (I go through a lot of batteries. )

Another thing that happens to me when I am anxious, either recording or playing for others, is I forget to breathe. I will hold my breath in tricky spots, and then crash and burn. It is hard to focus if you are out of air. My teacher noted this and reminds me to breathe when she sees I am seizing up. She even has suggested using breathing as a means of focussing and reducing anxiety. It seems to help.

Red dot is a killer. But you say youre working on 2 pieces. I would concentrate on one piece until you nail it. Then go Yes, have a drink, kick back and bask in the glory. Oh and share.

chopin_r_us.... interesting idea but I don't think that's going to happen, thanks.

Malkin - that certainly sounds like it is worth a try - "go with the flow" (seems it could be applicable to other aspects of life too!!!)

Jim, that could be worth a try too. Maybe a few successful attempts on the second half of xyz would do the trick....As for being too hard on myself - well..... sometimes. I try to keep my expectations realistic though - I really do think I should be able to get through these pieces.

SwissMS - you are so right about the breathing. I find I'm ok when I'm just "playing" but as soon as I start to record, I stop breathing properly. Something else to focus on.

Zillybug- thanks for sharing that you've got the same sort of problem - I'll share the advice here with you

Larry - you posted just as I did so I've come back to edit.... Yes, I've got two pieces on the go but I started one way before the other - I'm not still "studying" the pieces. I figured I was done with the work and it was time to record. I was only going to do one today - it didn't go well, so I tried the other - it didn't go well and I packed it up and came here to whine a bit


I'll try some of these ideas over the next little while, and up the recording to increase comfort level. I'll also talk to my teacher about it as I think there has to be a way to get in the "Zone" you hear so many folks talking about .

You are like me, Cheryl, you have too much on your mind at any given time...

If it is any consolation, I don't think I've ever played a tune all the way through without some kind of bobble... I've accepted my fate.

You are making tremendous progress with your playing, Cheryl! Keep it up, my friend from across the big pond!

Ricky-J

Thanks Ricky-J - If I could play as lightheartedly as dynamically as you do , I would feel more relaxed about some bobbles.

I appreciate the encouragement.

I find recording incredibly difficult (so far only guitar, no room to record the keyboard yet). I feel very self conscious and can only do it if I'm alone!

Don't feel bad. Neither can I

This is one of the biggest problems that adults have. They think too much. Too easily distracted. After all, you have to be when you're used to driving cars. Other reasons also. We're used to having to multitask our minds.
My teacher agrees with this. Also the book I've been mentioning on "The Art of Practicing" talks about this. In the book, she gets into yoga and meditation. That does a bunch to help you be able to focus when you want to. I do want to mention the meditation part. That is why so many people love to run marathons. It's their state of mind. Cannot think as clearly, fast, and focused as when in that state of mind of running long slow distance.

I also think myself this problem lies in the nervous system. The autonomic mind. The base mind. Here are some things I work on. They also just plain make me younger.
Mobility work... It is a fact that if you go through all six ways you can move. One at a time. Beginning to end. That will wipe your nervous system clean. Ever have something bugging you? Some idiot yelled something at you and it keeps coming back? Mobility work will wipe that out. Mobility helps you to take control of your autonomic mind. Not it control you. It controlling you is easily exampled in so many idiot young men who are aggressive and want to fight. They are controlled. There is a ton a person can get out of mobility work. Mainly it just plain makes you younger. Literally.
Yoga is really good also.
Just plain exercise helps. Strength and cardio work. Helps a ton to get blood flowing. Be healthier. Do it smart and you don't have to become a gym rat. You can get a whole lot out of a little time by making sure you do Mobility, Strength, then Yoga. It gets results.

Ron - I had no idea what you were talking about with Mobility so I googled it..now I'm doing some research.

I've never tried yoga - and when I've tried meditation, I either can't stay focused (surprise! lol) ...or I fall asleep.

Larry and FindingNemo2010...I guess we're in the same boat!

A few thoughts.

1) I haven't tried this, but it might be worthwhile. Record everything when you practice. Just delete the files after. If you are always recording everything you practice then you'll eventually just forget about the fact that you're being recorded and the stress levels will (one hopes) dissipate. If you make recording your pieces a special event, it seems likely to me that just makes the process more stressful. Also, if you happen to get in the zone while practicing and have that perfect performance, you'll have it recorded.

2) Practice more. I think people underestimate how much practice it takes to really master a song, even a simple song. Just because you can play a song well doesn't mean you've mastered it. My favorite piano quote (stolen from someone's sig here) is basically, "Don't practice until you can get it right, practice until you can't get it wrong."

3) Yoga is highly recommended, or if you can find a good teacher, Tai Chi Chuan might be even better. If you can find a teacher who knows the whole system, Tai Chi is also a great system of self defense.

Try not to take yourself so seriously. It doesn't matter if you fluff a recording you're not recording for posterity or for magnificent acclaim from an Albert Hall audience. Just try treating it as a joke and realise you can always delete and start again. Try having a laugh about any mistake you make and then just try again.