‘Being in the Zone’: Towards a Conceptual Understanding of Flow during Optimal Solo Performance

Abstract

This article explores the concept of ‘being in the zone’ during optimal solo performance, from the performer’s perspective. The research forms part of a larger qualitative study which explores the role of pianists’ emotional engagement during solo performance (Foxcroft 2014). Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyse data collected from the research participants who consisted of eight concert pianists (four students and four professionals), each of whom performed solo recitals lasting 60 -70 minutes. The pianists were interviewed by means of semi-structured, in-depth interviews immediately after their performances. The interview data was collated from the semi-final round of the 2011 National University of South Africa (UNISA) piano competition (student pianists), and professional performances in South African concert halls in 2011/2012 (professional pianists). The results suggest that during optimal performance, performers appear to transcend reality and enter a ‘zone’, a blissful state of altered consciousness where performers fulfil their creative potential. The performers’ experience when in the zone is synonymous with flow (Csíkszentmihályi 1990) and is characterised by intense focus, creative engagement, and absolute absorption in an activity. Several factors facilitate or inhibit musical flow but do not guarantee its occurrence.