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The Mind in Focus: The effects of various concentration strategies on musical performance

Spangler, Sheridan LU (2023) MUUM04 20231
Malmö Academy of Music
Abstract
This paper investigates the efficacy of using various concentration strategies during musical performance in order to redirect the mind away from distracting thoughts and back to the present moment. I have recorded myself playing three different musical passages with four different mental focuses: physical sensations, technique, mental imagery, and internal singing. Throughout this research, I have analyzed both the musical expression and accuracy of these recordings, as well as the effect these focus strategies had on my mental atmosphere. While the usefulness of these four mental focus strategies would depend on many circumstances (including the individual musician and the musical demands of the passage), I have found that mental imagery... (More)
This paper investigates the efficacy of using various concentration strategies during musical performance in order to redirect the mind away from distracting thoughts and back to the present moment. I have recorded myself playing three different musical passages with four different mental focuses: physical sensations, technique, mental imagery, and internal singing. Throughout this research, I have analyzed both the musical expression and accuracy of these recordings, as well as the effect these focus strategies had on my mental atmosphere. While the usefulness of these four mental focus strategies would depend on many circumstances (including the individual musician and the musical demands of the passage), I have found that mental imagery and internal singing created the most musical results in my own playing. The process of practicing these concentration strategies has also improved my ability to observe and redirect my thoughts while playing. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Spangler, Sheridan LU
supervisor
organization
course
MUUM04 20231
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
mental training, concentration, focus strategies, mental skills, musical performance
language
English
additional info
Detta är den reflekterande delen som utgör 25 % av examensarbetet. Den klingande delen utgör 75 %.

This reflective part constitutes 25% of the degree project. The performance part constitutes 75%.
id
9114172
date added to LUP
2023-08-28 13:21:31
date last changed
2023-08-28 13:21:31
@misc{9114172,
  abstract     = {{This paper investigates the efficacy of using various concentration strategies during musical performance in order to redirect the mind away from distracting thoughts and back to the present moment. I have recorded myself playing three different musical passages with four different mental focuses: physical sensations, technique, mental imagery, and internal singing. Throughout this research, I have analyzed both the musical expression and accuracy of these recordings, as well as the effect these focus strategies had on my mental atmosphere. While the usefulness of these four mental focus strategies would depend on many circumstances (including the individual musician and the musical demands of the passage), I have found that mental imagery and internal singing created the most musical results in my own playing. The process of practicing these concentration strategies has also improved my ability to observe and redirect my thoughts while playing.}},
  author       = {{Spangler, Sheridan}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The Mind in Focus: The effects of various concentration strategies on musical performance}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}