This reminds me of the audiation mentioned frequently in Music Learning Theory. In MLT the goal seems to be mapping a phrase's contours to diatonic scale degrees rather than to absolute notes. For example, would you consider it of only secondary importance to visualise the new piano keys necessary to fit a key signature change by a flat or sharp or to toggle between major and minor tonality? In other words, is the primary purpose memorization and confidence in performance and less on structure? I realise I have ignored rhythm.
I’m a beginner (first week) and I actually tried this in my practice session today by looking away when I was going up and down the C Major scale two octaves. I could literally feel myself learning the feeling and placement of the keys beneath my fingers as I moved even with the finger crosses. I could almost see it in my mind. Wild.
Thank you, Matt, this is very helpful. I have heard of this, even my teacher introduced the idea a few years back, but as you described, I have no visual that comes easy or automatically. Lately, I had to take a month off from my regular practice sessions to heal bursitis in my shoulder. When I started back with just 15-20 minutes sessions, I was struck by how it was all hands on only... I had not been able to remember and think about playing away from the practice. Though I have never been able to, still I thought something was amiss. Coming upon your video here, where you take the time to describe it, has really helped me think that I can begin to try and do this, and should for all the reason you give, and for the reason of having to be away from practice but being able to retain the sense and feel of the piano. I think I already understand its importance and value, but just didn't know HOW to go about it. Your example of moving the ears was great! I tried that, and funny how it took me a few tries to figure it out....Thanks again!
I've been coming to this idea slowly. Rather than moving my fingers, which causes me to hear the music, I want to hear the music first (in my mind), which will cause my fingers to play the music. Thanks for the reinforcement.
That's a good question. Personally I don't really. I have a sense of where I am in the score and maybe some small fragments here and there at first, but the bulk of what I visualize is the look and feel of the keyboard and the sound, especially after a while of playing from memory. For me this is more helpful because it's closer to what the external stimulus is like while playing. I imagine this might vary from person to person though.
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Very helpful explanation! Exactly what I was looking for.
Thanks 👍🏽
This reminds me of the audiation mentioned frequently in Music Learning Theory. In MLT the goal seems to be mapping a phrase's contours to diatonic scale degrees rather than to absolute notes. For example, would you consider it of only secondary importance to visualise the new piano keys necessary to fit a key signature change by a flat or sharp or to toggle between major and minor tonality? In other words, is the primary purpose memorization and confidence in performance and less on structure? I realise I have ignored rhythm.
I’m a beginner (first week) and I actually tried this in my practice session today by looking away when I was going up and down the C Major scale two octaves. I could literally feel myself learning the feeling and placement of the keys beneath my fingers as I moved even with the finger crosses. I could almost see it in my mind. Wild.
Glad you found this helpful Tiff!
Thank you, Matt, this is very helpful. I have heard of this, even my teacher introduced the idea a few years back, but as you described, I have no visual that comes easy or automatically. Lately, I had to take a month off from my regular practice sessions to heal bursitis in my shoulder. When I started back with just 15-20 minutes sessions, I was struck by how it was all hands on only... I had not been able to remember and think about playing away from the practice. Though I have never been able to, still I thought something was amiss. Coming upon your video here, where you take the time to describe it, has really helped me think that I can begin to try and do this, and should for all the reason you give, and for the reason of having to be away from practice but being able to retain the sense and feel of the piano. I think I already understand its importance and value, but just didn't know HOW to go about it. Your example of moving the ears was great! I tried that, and funny how it took me a few tries to figure it out....Thanks again!
Excellent choice! Thanks
I've been coming to this idea slowly. Rather than moving my fingers, which causes me to hear the music, I want to hear the music first (in my mind), which will cause my fingers to play the music. Thanks for the reinforcement.
Thanks Steve - You might find too that going back and forth between actually playing and visualizing is extremely helpful.
Do you visualize the score as well?
That's a good question. Personally I don't really. I have a sense of where I am in the score and maybe some small fragments here and there at first, but the bulk of what I visualize is the look and feel of the keyboard and the sound, especially after a while of playing from memory. For me this is more helpful because it's closer to what the external stimulus is like while playing. I imagine this might vary from person to person though.