This should happen during the brief instant before playing. For master players it becomes simultaneous with the production of the note. If the student player imagines, in musical terms, both the tone and the type of articulation to be produced before playing then musical quality quickly and consistently develops. By this means the mind prepares the body quite naturally to undertake the actions necessary to play. This approach requires boldness.
Boldness creates technique.
The priority for most players is blemish-free pitching. This very limited approach is mistaken and contrary to the development of sound and personality in playing, and is an important reason why most players fail to develop their potential fully.