It’s All in Your Mind: The Power of Visualization in Music - Part 2
In order for the visualization process to work effectively, your conscious mind needs to work hand-in-hand with your body and your subconscious. Unfortunately, the conscious mind often becomes a stumbling block to the subconscious and the body. It follows, therefore, with respect to learning a skill such as playing the guitar, the conscious mind needs to learn when to give directions to the subconscious mind, as well as the fingers, and when to let them find their own way. The mind needs to know when to 'let it happen.' When you achieve that aim, you have an effective, powerful tool which will help you reach your goals.
Now we can consider some practical applications of visualization which are specific to the guitar. Here are a few guidelines that will help you get the most benefits from visualization:
- Calm your mind and your body.
- Be specific about your goals.
- Visualize one specific technique or aspect at a time, for example: a piece of music or a fingering.
- Persist until you get results.
Relax and calm your mind before you start to visualize. Clear your mind of turbulent thoughts, your body from tension. When you feel that your mind is settled, decide on definite goals that you want to achieve with the visualization process. Be sure to ask yourself what you want from the process in specific terms; it confuses your subconscious mind when your goals are vague. Focus on one thing at a time. Quiet surroundings help most people, however, you need to determine the environment that is of most benefit to you. Often, having your eyes closed in order to block out visual distractions makes it easier to concentrate; again, this is an individual preference.
As you begin, create a vivid, detailed image, sound, or feeling of your desired goal in your mind. It may be the image of your fingers on the fingerboard, the pitches of a melody, or the emotional feeling of a particular passage. Focus on the particular 'mental picturing' that you are doing, but allow it to flow naturally - forcing the mind only creates stress. Do not be anxious about the results; they will come.
Finally, let us look at one specific example, in order to see how the technique works on a specific problem. Suppose you have difficulty making smooth connections with your left hand. Instead of allowing this to become a roadblock, instead, visualize the correct finger movements. Create a clear mental image of where your fingers are going to land at the end of a movement. Next, imagine yourself performing the movements correctly - smoothly, with no mistakes. Repeat the process, before and after an actual practice session. Soon, you will notice that the brain-body connection forged through visualization has transformed this weakness into strength.
Using the powerful connections between your body and your mind can truly transform your musicianship, your artistry, perhaps even your life.
Feel free to visit LA Guitar Academy's website for professional guitar lessons in the Los Angeles area, or go to LAGA Online's home page to take online guitar lessons from the LAGA Faculty.
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