I have roughly categorised the mental state of musical development and awareness into 4 distinct stages:-

 

Stage 1

Unconscious --

In this stage, one is either new to music or to a certain instrument and is picking it for the first time.  Everything is new.  Nothing the brain can resonates and a totally brand new field.  So daunting, some give up at this stage.

 

Stage 2 

Consciously Conscious --

Here the learner is taught and constantly reminded by the Teacher of the basic rules and good practices.  It is a routine of daily repeats.  Scales, after scales ...... Once the learner rushes in this stage, he or she is back to the old habits and bad practices.  The Teacher constantly reminds.  At this stage, some quit as they see no or slow progress.

The reward of this stage is, when one is able to execute the routine and stick to all required practices without fail and religiously.  The mind, at this stage, is cognizant of every movements and ultimately, non movements.  This state takes a long time ... ...

 

Stage 3

Consciously Unconscious

In this stage, the Learner becomes an adept so say.  He or she executes all the required moves in a manner that is correct without the conscious mind.  Perhaps, loosely put, it becomes muscle memory.  This state of development takes forever and perhaps, one will see no end to this... ....

 

Stage 4

Unconsciously Conscious

Whether this state will happen, no one knows.  But the art of music and life is but the same.  It is harmonious and in synch with everything.  Even a genius in music does not necessarily reach this spiritual state of mind

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Some people will ask , "how to differentiate Stage 3 from 4?'

In Stage 3, the Learner, the Adept or the Teacher or the Master can make minute technical differentiation that is not obvious to most except the few.  Yet the ability to do so, is not the Hallmark of spiritual development.

In Stage 4, one does not "bother" with differentiation, as each piece, however, badly played, represents a growing story ....