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.

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.

Handling the Stress of Performance and Overcoming it

1. pg. 47 I think it depends on the situation. In group situation normally a live performance will excite me and I’ll thrive most likely. After doing those relaxation exercises in class I feel like it some form of breathing and doing those tension and release exercises could be helpful. I might start to do small forms of that before performances.

Pg55 1. I think when a piece of music ‘speaks’ it sounds like more than notes. It sounds like a story. It creates an images. It creates a feeling. It is as if the audience can understand what you are trying to say through your music. I think the things I mentioned are how the audience feels or is moved during a performance. It makes then thoughtful, happy, sad, and so many other emotions.

Pg 55 2. If I feel well practiced or rehearsed I definitely have an easy and mostly operate out of my right brain. I don’t think I ever completely play without judging myself. I think you make a mistake and you think, “Dang, I should have hit that.” The thing is I know that to succeed I have to let that roll off my shoulders. I can’t let it ruin the next phrase or the whole pieces. I know I will always make minor mistakes, but that is life. It is really hard to be perfect. Even though I am a perfectionist I have learned that this attitude is good for practice, but not rehearsal or performance. I practice going through large sections of my piece and continuing every time I make a mistake so that I get comfortable with continuing after mistakes.

I watched a TED talk by Dan Pink on motivation. http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation?language=en

2. This was a really interesting talk. It seems as though rewards for work does not actually benefit. We have to want to make ourselves better. Trying to give incentives doesn’t always work and won’t work for musicians because it is all cognitive. We have to want to get better, we have to find something that inspires us. So maybe if your professor is making you play this piece you really don’t like, of course you need to work on it, but maybe working on something else that you like as well can help you grow in your technique and sound too. This is my translation of how Dan explained the 20% thing where you get to do what you want for 20% of your time. This way you have something that is making you happy as well as being productive.  Also it tells me that it’s not always how many hours you put in, but what you put in to those hours. There are some companies where they give you complete flexibility and people get their jobs done in less time or on their own time and are much happier. So saying everyone should practice this much everyday is necessarily true.

I’m not really sure what you mean by referring to terms he used in the talk to my practice session. My practices are kind of disorganized. I tend to start working on something and then I remember I need to email so and so or I text a friend, I scroll on Facebook, and then I practice for a little bit and then I do that again. So I guess I don’t really have effective practices. Sometimes I get candle problem and I can’t get over certain little passages in the music and all I can focus is on it. I don’t see the big picture.

3. I just read this assignment this morning so I haven’t had a chance to create a practice log, but I think I’ll try and blog it every day.

So here is the outline

a.       What sections did you spend the most time on?

b.      Were there any sections of the piece that were left out of your practice?

c.       Did you use variety in your practice, or did you use the same strategies every day?

d.      Did you start at different parts of the piece every day, or did you always start at the beginning, the end, or a specific section?

e.       Was each activity purposeful, and did you accomplish the task that you set out to do?

f.       What strategy was most effective?

g.      Did you use efficient time management?

My plan for the next week is to practice more! I have been finding it hard to find time. I will try and practice twice on the weekends and 2 to 3 times during the week. My goal is to finish learning the third and fourth pages of my solo. I also really want to spend some time working on my lip flexibility as it has gotten worse over the summer.