While playing my mind invariably falls in the regrettable habit of going away and starting to fantasize (for example about that I`m playing in my church, or at a concert hall, and the people pleased claps, -uff, I confessed this ugly secret!-, etc. ). I consider it an useless and vicious habit, counterproductive for my concentration, and I struggle against it along many years, but in vain, I always lose the battle. It`s an addiction. The willpower alone doesn`t work. The habit is stronger than any decision to keep myself concentrated in the piece. What can I do?

dont worry i do it to but not about playing in a concert hall, i think about what i did that day or sumethink like that, then before i know it i have finished the peice, its brilliant if you want to forget about the audience when you are actually in a concert hall palying.

Hey! It`s good habit to pretend that yr playing for a formal , professional recital. It gives u confidence, and u`d be suprised at how expressive one can be when they`re emotionally and mentally more involved. But u need to learn to focus though.

I think when I`m playing, but about more then just playing in front of people. The posts before me said it could be good to think you`re playing in front of a crowd. But, it`s probably not healthy to do that *all * the time.

It could be just a phase you`re going through. Try concentrating on what you`re playing not on what `could` be around you. Think about the music and what you`re trying to tell the people who will listen. Also, you said you play in church? Play for the Lord not for man. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at the Lord looks at the heart, above all else guard your heart for it is the well spring of life. Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God." (I don`t remember the reference, sorry!)

BTW, I heard somewhere you can think more clearly while playing.

My mind sometimes drifts off and I start thinking about a million and one things. Sometimes they are just random thoughts like, I wonder what I`ll have to eat tonight, or sometimes they are more specific and I imagine I am playing infront of people who I want to hear me. I think it`s good that you can relax when you`re playing, it shows that you are at ease with your playing and the piece, but I agree it can be a little annoying if you`re trying to keep your concentration!