How is it possible for concert pianists to play faster than the eye can follow?
鈥� When a concert pianist performs, sight isn鈥檛 the only sense they use. Although hand-eye coordination is important, especially when learning new pieces, most pianists have a strong 鈥渒eyboard geography鈥� and knowledge of harmonic and interval patterns, and an internal ear that enables them to feel the music and anticipate what is coming next.
Recent research by using eye-trackers suggests that when pianists perform, their eyes are focused not on what their hands are playing, but on where their hands need to be a few seconds later.
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鈥淓ye-trackers suggest that pianists focus on where their hands need to be a few seconds later鈥�
Of course, pianists often still need their eyes to successfully locate big jumps, dense chords or complex passages, and to feel secure and confident while playing. Passages based on scales and arpeggios are easier to play fast, however, as they form a large part of piano practice early on, so the patterns are familiar.
It takes years of practice for a performance to look natural and relaxed. After spending hundreds of hours practising a piece, a musician will know it inside out. It is common to practise technically difficult passages more than easier ones, until they become instinctive in the player鈥檚 鈥渕uscle memory鈥�. This enables them to be played blisteringly fast, often faster than the intended speed.
Similar skills are found in professional sight-readers who accompany rehearsals, recitals, masterclasses, exams and choirs. They often play at exceptional speed without looking at their hands, because their eyes are processing the written music in front of them. There are also several concert pianists who are blind but manage just fine.
Bernard Bertschinger, Montacute, Somerset, UK
鈥� It鈥檚 not just concert pianists. My girlfriend can steal and eat my dessert faster than the eye can follow.
Brian Smith, Berlin, Germany
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