Wow. Everyday brings new information. I never really thought about the possible variations. I’m not currently performing live - although I do plan to return to it in the next couple of years, when I get through this growing / reinventing / studio stage - but I do have clear patterns of thought that I have followed for most of my life concerning the instruments I play.
When I am writing, I think about how the music makes me feel and try to find cohesive directions to take it to.
When I am learning new music, I think ahead to the next measure or stanza and how I am setting up my fingers; embouchure; etc… for the upcoming changes.
When I have the arrangement / changes committed to memory, I am concentrating almost solely on execution; the shape of the sound and how appropriate it is to the passage.
When I am performing for myself - alone (yes, that is what we do - I don’t count that the same thing as practice), I think about how the music makes me feel and the associated thoughts and memories that pop up spontaneously. Inspiration, if you will.
When I am performing for recording, I strive to be in that inspired place - but more often wind up back at execution.
When I am performing live for an audience, my attention is split between execution; movement / showmanship; connecting with the audience (eye contact, body language, spotting troublemakers); and watching for technical anomalies.
Wheeee-eww It suddenly becomes plainly apparent that I think too much… and it’s too early to start drinkin’!
Happy New Year.
