3 ms·

I was this kid, and I think I know exactly what's happening. He's playing the piano as if it were Guitar Hero or Dance Dance Revolution, as a game where the goa

I was this kid, and I think I know exactly what's happening. He's playing the piano as if it were Guitar Hero or Dance Dance Revolution, as a game where the goal is to hit the right keys at the right time. Somehow you have to communicate the idea that the goal is to produce something that's enjoyable to listen to. Playing with eyes closed is something that I've never tried, but my guess is that it's forcing him to listen and that's why it works. (I need to try it myself!) What worked for me when I was a bit older is my teacher making me get a little handheld recorder (cheap ones were surprisingly good back then, and I'm sure the tech has improved). Try having him record the song and listen to the recording, and ask what he thinks. In particular, does it sound musical? Why or why not? My guess is that it'll reveal details he wasn't able to focus on while playing, and it will motivate him to fix them.

endymi0n 5y ago
This resonates with me. One of the best advice from my organ teacher was to „stop playing the notes and start really listening to yourself.“ Closing my eyes really helped with removing all stimuli that distracted me from actually doing that and it made all the difference.
- virtue3 5y ago
  As a competitive partner dancer, I too will close my eyes sometimes to shut out distractions and focus on the movement more. This is especially useful while practicing but I also sometimes do it during social dancing (provided there is enough room and I won't be putting my partner at risk by crashing into other people or being crashed into). Feel the damn music :/
colanderman 5y ago
Having started playing music again after a 10 year hiatus, I recently came to the same realization about my younger self's approach to musicianship. Hitting the right notes is table stakes. But going beyond that requires developing the ability to listen to yourself critically, recognize the difference in sound between talented musicians and yourself, caring to fix the difference, and taking steps to do so.

endymi0n 5y ago

This resonates with me. One of the best advice from my organ teacher was to „stop playing the notes and start really listening to yourself.“ Closing my eyes really helped with removing all stimuli that distracted me from actually doing that and it made all the difference.

virtue3 5y ago
As a competitive partner dancer, I too will close my eyes sometimes to shut out distractions and focus on the movement more. This is especially useful while practicing but I also sometimes do it during social dancing (provided there is enough room and I won't be putting my partner at risk by crashing into other people or being crashed into). Feel the damn music :/

colanderman 5y ago

Having started playing music again after a 10 year hiatus, I recently came to the same realization about my younger self's approach to musicianship. Hitting the right notes is table stakes. But going beyond that requires developing the ability to listen to yourself critically, recognize the difference in sound between talented musicians and yourself, caring to fix the difference, and taking steps to do so.