Brainjo Bite: Should You Look At Your Hands When Playing Music?
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- čas přidán 31. 01. 2021
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Want to reinforce Gary’s observation. In jams, I occasionally play with people who are so focused on their hands that they ignore what’s going on around them. Eye contact with members of your group for cues about Breaks, solos, changes in tempo, dynamics etc., is critical, and, also, a lot more fun !
You hint at this briefly at about 9 minutes... but, especially for beginners, I don't think it's so much about knowing where our own body parts are - rather it's about knowing where the instrument is. For instance, I might know exactly where my pick is, but I might not know exactly where the D string is. Some people develop anchoring strategies for this. And it's something you can learn.
I just started your book this evening. I've heard very enthusiastic comments, I'm looking forward to it.
So far I'm about 3 days in and the hardest part for me is missing strings with my right hand. The misses mostly occur when im moving my left hand in some way.
I have found that when playing or practicing that if I can create a mental image of what it should sound and feel like with my eyes closed I generally do better at what I am doing. So, no looking whenever possible.
That’s an excellent practice.
Awesome content as always. I'm loving this series. And on the topic: I find that I often just look at the banjo when playing up the neck (which is less known territory and requires a bit more precision) and sooooometimes when learning a new song. Looking back at my early days playing, it feels like great progress. One thing that truly helps my playing, BTW, is standing. Just standing still (even if leaning against furniture) already helps, but walking around is the best. This way I can "get in the zone" a lot easier! I look up, look to the sides, close my eyes, sing... It all comes a lot more naturally if I can stand. It's one of the things that hinders me while learning a new song, because not having it memorized means I need to sit and look at my notes/chords/tabs/sheets.
Just started not looking while playing fiddle. About one year in and finally focusing on pitch and sound.
It's interesting to watch videos by banjoist Russ Carson, in which he wears a Go Pro camera on his head. While he's playing banjo with others, you can see exactly when he feels it necessary to look at his fretting hand and when he is looking at his playing partners (most of the time).
I enjoy watching Russ play. He reminds me a lot of Jim Mills in play style, tempo, etc. Makes since though being that he took Jim's spot on Kentucky Thunder!
I see ten instruments in this little shot!
Glad I didn’t use the wide angle lens!
super interesting. I identify with the caveat that moving up the neck is aided by visual targeting.
It's important, how the players look to the audience. Rolling Stones is great example, Van Halen, etc. I prefer to practice in a room full of mirrors,
So frustrating to play with people who won't look up!
Usually, while I'm learning a tune, my eyes naturally shut as I commit pieces to head and hand memory.
Another thing I realized. I found that I would stare at my hand as I played well-know pieces, to the point I thought, Why? Because I liked to watch my fingers and hand move around doing what they knew. almost like watching someone else's hand for the entertainment.
I agree about it being entertaining. Almost like watching little dancers moving to the beat! :)
Standing and playing is different than sitting and playing. Whether guitar or banjo, you're looking more from the top of the strings when standing, so it's harder to judge if you're doing it right, since you can't see as much. Sitting, it's more slanted where you can see the frets. I usually sit, but if I'm going to sing in front of people, I practice standing up too, so it's good to practice not to look all the time, since you'll be in situations where you can't see. When I'm practicing banjo, if I'm afraid I might mess up any moment, I close my eyes because I can hear it better and focus on hearing it, so that I stay in rhythm better until I get over that hump and back on track.
Great presentation, Josh. (I think the whole proprioception thing will help my golf game, as well.) One personal observation about sight and playing, though. I often find practicing in front of a mirror, as if I'm watching someone else play, is productive. Why, do you think, that would be so?
Good question! I've experienced the same myself, and it'd be great if this phenomenon were studied. I can only speculate, but would say that the answer may lie in what you've described "it's like watching someone else." When we're playing, we do not want our conscious mind paying attention to what we're doing (this is known to degrade performance). So in this instance our attention/conscious mind is busy checking out that dude in the mirror, rather than gumming up the works by focusing on ourselves (#mindblown). :)
I'd practice in the dark as a teenager to break myself of the habit. You'll always look like a beginner if you stare at your hands while playing.
I’d be fine with always looking like a beginner - it’s always playing like one that would be the problem. ;)