Union of Execution with Conception

The only way to attain definiteness in your playing is by pre-determining the time place for each note. This challenge involves the dimension of time combined with three dimensional Euclidean Space. The finer and subtler manipulations of key descent are to be attained on a good pianoforte. The more perfect the instrument, the more profitable the practice. To accurately realize the musical wish, we must time the tone production of each desired note.
An accurately timed tone production consists of

1. application,
2. culmination, and
3. cessation of the correct muscular act against each individual key.

Realize the point of union between mental conception and physical execution. The accurate timing of our muscular operation against the key must culminate at a certain point in key descent, and must then promptly cease. The culmination and instantaneous cessation of the muscular impulse provides key movement. We have available a definite point in the process of tone production, both physically and mentally. The completion of tone production is realizable by our outer ear at the beginning of sound. The point of transition between silence and sound is a definite one with respect to time. When tone begins to be emitted from the instrument, this represents the end of the act of tone production. After tone has been produced the sound can no longer be influenced and application of energy ceases.
Make sure the execution obeys your musical conception.

Alertness of ear means alertness as to the moment of time when sound begins. By listening outwardly we can accurately aim the culmination and cessation of the muscular act. We must learn to be aurally alert so that the correct muscular act will produce key movement at the very moment dictated by our musical consciousness.