Faith and achievement

[bennyboy]

That's not what's happening at all, though.  You aren't falling asleep of boredom or self hypnotizing (though the trance like state is probably the most common description).  Alot is going on..you're becoming more rather than less mentally active.  It's this increased, focused, activity that effectively swamps your neural structures ability to transmit information - at least this is what appears to be happening.

(try making your practice for more fun..time flies and all - distraction makes focus go away, and if you're trying to hit the zone, rather than the notes...you're distracted)

What I like to do, is con the wife into singing with me while I play something.  Totally ups my game.

Who says that in dreaming sleep or in hypnosis (or meditation, which I didn't add), the brain is less active?  That's certainly not my view.  In fact, I'd say a vivid dream is a state of hyperactivity.  For me, the moment when I'm halfway between waking life and sleep is the magic point-- for example, it's the point at which you have a decent chance of entering a lucid dream state, with all the heightened powers that come with it.

As for making practice more fun. . . maybe "boredom" wasn't the right word.  I'm more talking about a state in which you kind of let go of conscious control.  I like practicing, too-- it's kind of a zen thing.  But generally, the goal is to quiet the mind-- no internal dialog, no conscious focus on the motions and positioning of the hands (except when specifically practicing hand positioning), etc.

I can guarantee, however, that getting my wife to sing with me will not improve my chances of getting into the "zone," unless by "zone" you mean state of heightened irritation and deep spiritual torment, both for me and my dogs.