Ping Pong Concentration

Whilst playing ping pong I find that I often play surprisingly bad. I invisage the 'shot', line up the action, but then when I hit the ball it goes in some random unexpected direction... I've found the reason why is because i try to play a game of 'adjustment' from intial thoughts rather than simply 'watching the ball'. I seem to lose focus. I seem to get bored of watching the ball. I seem to want to orchestrate the game rather than actually hit every ball properly.

Whilst playing the violin I find that I often play surprisingly bad. I invisage the melody, line up the action, but then when I hit the notes it goes in some random unexpected direction... I've found the reason why is because i try to play a game of adjustement from intial thoughts rather then simply 'listening to the current sound'. I seem to lose focus. I seem to get bored and observe the melody. I seem to want to orchestrate the music rather than actually play every single note.

The performers mind must first be a simple mind.

Either way, the golden rule, set down by michelangelo and bach...
Stop thinking. Start playing. Keep playing.

Double stop and a high thumb.

I find that double stops are much easier to handle with a strong 'high' thumb (LHand).

With the thumb high it forces the hand and fingers higher and closer over the strings. The fingers are less flexible but they retain their intonation whilst shifting much easier etc.