For me it is keeping time or wondering if I am keeping time.
Even though I use a metronome at times and start out tapping my foot I find myself playing and then realizing I'm not tapping my foot or my foot is completely stiff. Then I wonder if I am keeping time which throws me off.
But then my wife, who has a classical piano background and who 'hates' hearing the metronome since she heard it every morning at 7:00 AM from 5 years old to her 20's, says "Don't worry you were keeping time." I'll trust her judgement.
By the way, my wife is the perfect example of parents who push their children into music. All those 30 minutes before and 2 hours after school practicing for over 15 years turned her completely off to the piano. She had the strict classical piano teachers who wouldn't let her noodle around. It is a shame since she is very talented.
Dan
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