Mental virtuosity: A new theory of performers’ attentional processes and strategies

Abstract

In contrast to the widespread approach of the notion of “virtuosity” highlighting mechanical dexterity, I advance the view that a crucial feature of both technical virtuosity and musical expressivity is a specific ability to readily and quickly adapt the attention to various constantly changing aspects of the musical process while performing. In this sense, virtuosity can be likened to general mental capabilities such as intelligence. Based on concepts taken from performance analysis, pedagogical practice and sports science (especially from recent research of attentional control in sports), I attempt to define and discuss key features of performance virtuosity as “mental dexterity”. This includes the ability to quickly position oneself into different temporal perspectives in real time during performance; the ability to quickly shift the attentional focus, as well as to quickly modulate the depth of attention; furthermore, to promptly position oneself into different empathic perspectives, similarly to projecting oneself into another person’s position.