What do savants who excel in music, maths, art, and/or memory experience?

Great Debates
#1

I know autistic savants have a major disadvantage when it comes to everyday tasks but I’ve wondered for example what a savant at the piano experiences in their head.

Do they see notes that correspond with a key on the piano ? Especially when they can play by ear? If not do they see notes light up on the keyboard?

And how do they avoid pressing the wrong notes. I know even after practicing 10 times I’m bound to make a mistake or two. I’ll never be as good as them? :rolleyes:

What really happens in their head?

#2

If I had to guess I would say nothing really happens in there, they don’t really have to think about what they’re doing its just some innate talent that doesn’t require a lot of mental effort on their part. This is also true to a point with regular musicians, in that if they start thinking too much about what they’re playing for a lot of people that’s when they start making mistakes and stumbling around hitting wrong notes or getting off time.

#3

Centipede’s Dilemma

If you start to think about it you won’t be able to coordinate everything.