Focus Issue

[dond]

I am working on DVD100 (Easy Jazz and Blues). I am currently dealing with the coupling exercises. One of the issues that I struggle with is where to direct my focus during these exercises. I can play hands together as long as I focus on my left-hand during the exercise because the left-hand part involves more movement from a fixed position of the hand. However, I believe that focusing on the left-hand is not a realistic view of the actual improvisational experience. I would expect to be focusing on the right hand with the left-hand part being more on auto pilot. Should I concern myself with this and try to force myself to focus on the right hand part or just forget about that stuff and just play .... with the expectation that it will all come together with more playing.

Don

[williemyette]

Don,

This is actually very common. My suggestion is to work the left hand until you can play it with your eyes closed and from memory. Try this for the next 2 days.

If on the 3rd day you can easily play that left hand from memory without any hiccups, then you can start to add the right hand, but only add the first 2 notes.

See how that goes, then try adding ONE more note, not several.

The key is "staging" your practice. Just like building a building, you need to lay that good foundation (left hand in this case), then you can add notes a few at a time.

Yes, this takes a while and is a pain, but it will help avoid frustration and mistakes!

[ricoche]

I totally agree with the "eyes closed" ideology that Willie mentions. For me, I start with the Left hand and learn my parts until I don't have to look at my left hand virtually at all. This is probably the same as playing with your eyes closed. Once I get the left hand automatic, then it gets really fun working with the right hand. In fact I find learning the right hand so much easier when the left is under control probably because it's one less thing to think about.

Great topic.