Odd habit

The previous thread, ‘it’s in G’, reminded me of a habit that has come up for discussion with a musician ive started playing with.
When im playing, i tend to move my mouth, unknown to me at beest of times, but this other musician likes to point out ot people their little habits - good or bad.
But ive realised that this might be a hinderance to me when playing, because if im playing a tune and someone asks what key its in, i find i can’t tell them or il lose my place in the tune. It’s as if im talking the tune.
Is this a common trait or am i just a freak (please keep the answers civilised, thank you!!)?

Don’t panic copo, I’ve seen lots of people do that kind of thing. I assume it is a ‘concentration thing? Don’t think they’ll be dragging you off to the ‘funny farm’ just yet!

On the other hand, I’m not sure about those clothes you wear to sessions! - & as for that hear style!?* Perhaps if they were to check out the whole package, you might be wise to be worried! 🙂

Sorry, meant hair!! Although those Aztec studs in your left ear & that chain dangling from your right………………………

A neuropsychologist I met called it "motor overflow."

It took years before I was comfortable enough playing guitar to engage in conversation at the same time, and I still can’t let myself get distracted when playing melody. I guess I just can’t walk and chew gum at the same time….

Copo, I’ve got the same problem. Thing is, I can’t afford to loose my place, because there are times that I’ll be playing guitar and need to call a dance at the same time!

Try, when you’re practicing at home, to sing along a tune, or have a tape that you play along with, and try to read a newspaper, or watch a television program. Distracting yourself like that, so that the chords just automatically fall, is one of the best places you can be, musically. That way, it will sound good when your mind is not on it, and will hopefully sound TREMENDOUS when you’re "into it" again. 🙂 ‘Course, I could be talking sheit here, so… <laugh>

-P

"motor overflow" isn’t that the opposite of an ‘underpass’? 🙂

Some people always come up to me to talk while my band is playing tunes in between dances - I know I call and play ( bass ) but holding a conversation is altogether a different pot of tea !
I have once heard someone try and play melody-line and call, and it’s not effective, especially if you’re the only lead-line instrument.
Of course self-accompanying singers are doing this all the time, he said, strumming his guitar as he typed…….

I am not easily distracted in fact unless something really gets on my nerves I don’t start a tune and not finish it.

yea, i cant talk either when i play, unless im playing a tune i have known really well since i started playing. I can walk around and do other stuff like watch TV, but i still cant talk[on fiddle]. But piano is a totally different story..i can usually talk if im just doing chords that i know, but not when i play melody. I have seen so many teachers and session leaders instruct while they play..
hmm…guess i’ll have to work on that! ;)

I can’t talk and play, period. Especially on the flute. Oh, different story there… But even on the accordion it just doesn’t work for me.

I do let my mind wander, though, and I’m usually just fine playing the the tune and meandering mentally, at least until I try to rejoin the two and figure out exactly what it is that I’m playing. Train wreck almost every time. LoL

I can’t talk and play. I can’t even think: "I should say ‘Hello’" wIthout being in danger of losing my place!

It must be a brain specialisation problem. The brain areas involved seem to be Wenickes area - which understands and comes up with the words - and Broca’s area which produces the hand or mouth movements of writing or reading. I would guess the problem is mostly in Broca’s area. I just tried to speak and write at the same time and I can’t do it, not even the same words. I get the "My brain is screaming" feeling. Presumably that’s what Rocking Bow’s neurologist meant by "motor overflow". Ouch!

I also move my mouth while playing. As to calling and playing melody.. its like the rock quiz show where contestants read text from a book, but sung to a popular tune. That might be a way to call and play melody. Call in the tune you are playing!

My name is Bren and I’m a Mouth Mover.
Does seem to affect fretted instrument melody players the most.

I used to play in a band - not trad music - and loved the delighted smiles on the crowd when I played my mandolin solos. How gratifying to get such a reaction. Until I found out the the rest of the band were stood behind me all the time, mimicking my mouth movements.
Bastards.

"…does seem to effect fretted instrument players the most.! - Hey ‘Man’, it’d be most unusual indeed to see it effect Flute & Whistle players, now wouldn’t it!!!?? 🙂

why, do they have frets too?
and I said "affect" not "effect". Don’t put "e"s into my "a"s