Keeping the eye on the ball - for musicians

If you've ever played golf or tennis someone may have told you to "keep your eye on the ball."

A funny thing happens when you do this. It may sound counter-intuitive, but when you keep the ball in your vision it ensures you're working with reality. You need reality for coordination.

After all, do you choose to stop receiving visual input and close your eyes when you cross a busy street? You keep your eye on the ball, on your life, by looking left and right before crossing. (And NOT closing your eyes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRgUDHENPzk

Where are Roger Federer's eyes?

Best improvement comes when you maintain this awareness of the object and work on what is happening around it, with the guidance of an expert. (In some cases yourself)

Just as you have a ball in tennis and golf you have a ball, with music you have a sound. There may always be aspects of our playing we want to improve, but we have to keep our eye on the sound. Keep in mind that reason you play, or what that favorite artist does.

Keeping the eye on the ball, or on your sound, can be a challenge. Something that may interfere with our ability to keep the eye on the ball is a strong desire to play it right. Playing music is wonderful, just as golf and tennis, and playing well is even better! But we can't just try to hit the tennis ball hard or try to hit the golf ball farther. If we do, we might lose awareness of the ball. We might be closing our eyes as we walk into the street.

One way to better keep our eyes on the ball in music is by thinking “I am not playing violin” or "I am not singing." Think these thoughts and observe what happens. Is it different when you are not trying to do the activity?

We can use this thought to start simply and gradually build up to the activity. If you're playing violin, think of the sound and think "I am not playing violin" before you even open your case. Or if you are singing, as soon as you sit at the piano, or get into the practice room. With violin, you can build up gradually, taking your violin in your hand, and seeing if you can't maintain the thought "I am not playing violin." As you get closer to playing, and play see how long you can keep the sound in the forefront.

For how long can you really keep your mind on the sound? When does the sound disappear?

Also, please remember to look up from your phone before you cross any road. (And while you're crossing!)