Narrow Objective Focus

In this post I analyze some quotes from an article on Narrow Objective Focus. 

Really like how it describes what a narrow objective focus is. I feel like this may relate to a lot of other things than just a musical performance. I can see that I use this type of focus a lot for my studies and it definitely is taxing and in the long run, I’m not sure what I get out from all of it. I do depend on this frequently, but in general I think my generation is required to. There is so much we are expected to know, learn, and be involved in that it is hard not to use narrow objective focus frequently. 

I have never really thought of how often at a young age that we are told to concentrate our thought better. It’s interesting. I also made me think of this article I read recently about how a teacher went through a student’s day of classes for two days and was shocked about how the students felt. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/10/24/teacher-spends-two-days-as-a-student-and-is-shocked-at-what-she-learned/ Interesting read. 

The idea that imagining performance uses the same part of the brain as actually performing reminds me of a discussion we had in class about studying, looking, and listening to our pieces is helpful to later playing the piece. 

This article was interesting because it says narrow focus is good and bad, so it’s hard for me to decide which it is. Sometimes it’s helpful to only narrowly focus on a couple things and the rest in background, yet they say that it is good to be aware of space and our surrounding and we will have a less stressful life. So I think narrow focus is good, but we need to balance it to make sure we are not over-stressing ourselves with this limited focus.

Adding in Queues

Questions
1. Of the following characteristics of peak performers, which do you already possess and which do you need to enhance in yourself?

I believe I have a lot of confidence in myself as a performer. I also believe I do pretty well with concentration/attention. My professor will sometimes shout and do pretty distracting things while I play and I do pretty well of staying focused. I am decent at positivity. I sometimes get to hard on myself for messing up. If I hear improvement I don't feel so bad.  Mental toughness seems to be an overall term and encompasses many terms. I would say I could use to work more on mental toughness. I need to be a little more self-motivated by going and practicing much more consistently. This year I have had a hard time finding time for the practice room. but a mentally tough performer has a strong belief in self. I think I do have belief in myself. To go along with that I generally have confidence in myself, but sometimes I will think negative thoughts as I play, but I know I can always fix it and play it better again. For this I need to work on positive self-talk.

2. I had a jury that I thought went pretty unlike how I wanted and I just bashed myself the entire time. I felt unprepared. I guess I would say to my inner judges is that it's just one performance and that doesn't define me. I would say I didn't get to rehearse with my pianist enough, so they don't understand how difficult it is.

Continuing the with my mindmap for my piece I am supposed to identify some cues in the music.  So in the beginning there is a big tremolo from the orchestra as I do my opening. Later after I finish the opening the orchestra plays an intense section introducing the next section. There are many cymbal crashes and 6 descending chords played before I come in with the new time. Then the orchestra repeats what I just played. Then the orchestra slows down, there is a slow part for the clarinet and it introduced the new melody I will play. The clarinet has this run and then I come in. This section I think of a man who is seeing his lover for the first time in a long long time. The main theme from the fast section travels from the clarinet to the flute, then to the oboe and then I play the next connecting section. Next it was just clarinet to flute. Then you hear the horns do a section and then I come in. There are often cymbal crashes in the sections I do not play.
Then after a long of building and tension, the orchestra slows down. Then you here this syncopated rhythm four times and then I come in. Then the violins repeat this phrase and then suspend a note and I come in again with triplets.
Then theme enters again where it sounds like our man is being chased. Then the low brass coming in a descend with the same 6 chords and the original theme reenters. Then I have a different key of the double section. He sounds like he is being chases again. and the orchestra stops with two chords one after another. Then the cadenza comes in. And I am anticipating on not doing the cadenza for the recital.

Sound-focused versus Self-focused

In the book The Balanced Musician by McAllister talks about sound-focused and self-focused thought in Chapter 6.
Self-focused is more on what you think you are doing wrong, or right in some cases, and sound-focused is more on imagery and sound cues.
I definitely have a combination of these thoughts. Lately I have a lot of self-focused thoughts because I am still working on my piece.

One of my most successful performances was playing the first movement of the Kennan Sonata.  I just remember thinking that I love my sound. I liked the sound of the room. I felt like the style was just right too. The parts that were aggressive and brassy and then the lyrical sections sounded so nice and sorrowful. I just was nailing all the pitches.
In my most unsuccessful performance I can't remember the name of the piece, but it was my spring semester sophomore year for juries. The worst part about it was I was off with the accompaniment. I had a hard time counting the measures because the meter changed a lot. I just remember feeling rushed and lost. Plus I had to play the song pretty slow because I wasn't prepared. I remember getting made that they quick sections didn't sound too clear. I felt like it was sloppy and unprepared.

Some more positive self-talk would be thinking, "I can do this. I am prepared for this. I will play it right this time," or even, "Okay, that wasn't so great, but the next will be better." And of course thinking about the imagery you want to achieve for the piece would be ideal.

My piece has many points where there are different idea changes which I have indicated on my mind map. In the Arutiunian trumpet concerto, there is the opening which has a lot of flare. Then it moves into a quicker section which I call the hustle and bustle, adventurous section. It is quicker and light. Then it moves into a slower section that sounds like love, and it's so pretty. Then the quick section returns, but it feels more sporadic and certain parts are the same. Then comes the muted section in E flat minor. This part sounds mournful like he is losing his love. Again the the main theme from the quicker section comes again. Then it goes into a new alternative quick theme with more double tonguing section then into triples. Last is the cadenza. Has conflicting feelings. It sounds strong and powerful, yet sometimes smooth and lyrical. I feel like it's showing two sides of one person, kind of what we have seen the entire time.

 If the above video does not work here is the link (http://youtu.be/Bo9BBWmp4Rg)
Now to analyze my personal recording of my piece, it quite rough.
1. Overall I would rate my efforts as a 6. Some parts were good and things are getting better, but there were some sections that were horrendous. I loved my opening and the lyrical section were pretty good. I also didn't mind the fast section immediately after the opening. It's getting better. I also furrowed my brow less so that is good. 

2. specific areas
accuracy: 6
concentration: 8
memory: 0, I haven't started working on that. It is not a completely necessary thing for me. It's a goal I have, but if I do not attain it it will be ok.
D. Confidence: 7, good in parts and bad in the connecting sections. That was the worst and the parts I practiced the least.
E. Musicality: 8? 7.75. Not bad, I could probably do more. My chops got tired near the end and I messed up things like certain high notes I normally nail.

3. I think I could use to move a little more with my body to show the characteristics with body. I noticed I did move a little more than I think I normally do. I wish I played a little more upright. I bend over the trumpet a little more. I could use to raise the horn a little more.
4. I think I talked a lot about it above. Transitional sections that from around the 5 minute mark. Inbetween the two lyrical sections. I also need to build up endurance because I am getting worn out. I still could use to more pianos. I get pretty loud the reverse dynamic would probably help make an even greater impact.
5. I really liked my muted section. It had a lot of the feeling I was hoping. I still think it could be a little more connected and a little softer at points. I also liked the opening. I think it had the right flare and power. I thought it flowed a better than it has in past. I also liked my first lyrical section. I always enjoy that section.
6. Now I didn't have an audience because I was quite busy with work, and not many people were here over fall break. But I think something I really need to pay attention to is my posture. I would look much more profession if I paid attention to that.