I have been reading another fascinating book: "The Mind and the Brain. Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force" by Jeffrey M. Schwartz and Sharon Begley
Recent research has shown that the brain remains plastic throughout life. That is, the brain is remodeled by experience: new connections are being made and even new neurons created. With the proper exercises severe OCD (hand washing, etc.) has been cured as well as focal distonia in pianists. Stoke victims have regained the use of limbs after years of disuse, even when the other hemisphere has to take over. The secret of the brain remodeling is that attention must be paid to the exercises. It is the attention that facilitates brain remodeling. I like the word "attention" better than "concentration," which conjures up furrowed-brow tenseness. Herb Foster ________________________________ From: Robert N. Ward <[email protected]> To: The Horn List <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, August 26, 2011 1:14 PM Subject: Re: [Hornlist] Concentration Hi all, The issue of concentration is an interesting one. As I read many of the emails posted here over the last couple of days, I was struck how much concentration was thought of or referred to as almost a discrete entity. So I began reflecting on what it means to concentrate. One fascinating book that I have often recommended to students is called: "Flow, the Psychology of Optimal Experience" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi In it, he explores the state that most of us have experienced, of being completely absorbed in an activity - a state which is highly pleasurable. In fact, the author makes the case the quest to be in the flow state is a universal desire across all races and cultures. Most musicians can remember a performance or rehearsal where everything just went right and it was effortless - if so, you were in the state of flow. The book definitely has something to offer in regards to this exchange about concentration, and I highly recommend it. B Robert N. Ward Principal Horn San Francisco Symphony [email protected] _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/herb_foster%40yahoo.com _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
