posture and virtuosity

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Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

posture and virtuosity 2 votes

I was playing at a gig today when I had one of those "aha" moments. Lately I have been feeling kind of weak and sloppy playing and it's been bumming me out! I was even about ready to buy a new guitar :). My wrists would start to get a little numb or tight and I would get stiff generally.

Anyway, I was in this state and for some reason I remembered this book I read by Harold Taylor, called "The Pianist's Talent." One of the main characteristics of piano virtuosos is that they have an erect and effortless posture, generally characterized by "expansion" rather than "compression." I realized that I had lately fallen into a habit of compression--slouching, pulling with the fingers, arms crunched in a little. Yeah, disgusting.

I decided to "expand," so I sat straighter, left the arms expand and balloon out a little, and play with my fingers barely touching the strings. Whoa! It made a huge difference. I decided to bust out Panaderos and I smoked it. It was easy and effortless and enjoyable, like it's supposed to be.

If you find yourself in a rut and things just don't seem to be working, try expanding and see if it does anything for you.

By the way, shortly after I started playing this way, I noticed a very good-looking blond kept looking over at me. She was probably 25+, but she was acting like a high schooler, kept looking and pretending she wasn't. I'm not Florian--this kind of thing doesn't happen to me a lot--so I wonder if it was because of my new, confident, expanding posture. Or maybe because I was playing better. Or maybe because I was sitting taller and I could see around me more easily. Either way... :)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 29 2006 0:41:01

Guest

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 29 2006 2:15:15

sonikete

Posts: 735
Joined: Jan. 9 2004
From: Sweden

RE: posture and virtuosity (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

quote:

If you find yourself in a rut and things just don't seem to be working, try expanding and see if it does anything for you.

Yes, thats very good advice, i was meditating a few years ago and that really helped the posture, relaxation and focus.

And if it helps getting women too, even better ..

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 29 2006 2:23:28

Ricardo

Posts: 14878
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: posture and virtuosity (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

Not sure if it is the same physically, but I noticed that if you try to project yourself "out" or you play out more, like more charismatic, loud/hard or something, but deliberate, you play better AND people notice. Especially other musicians and hot women. Maybe it is a coincidence or my imagination. I don't know about posture specifically, but it sounds similar. I notice it with others I play with too, not just myself.

Ricardo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 29 2006 8:44:30

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 29 2006 8:59:05

sonikete

Posts: 735
Joined: Jan. 9 2004
From: Sweden

RE: posture and virtuosity (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

I read a mental training book where the author explained a way of taking control that involved imagining the result instead of using will and force.

The subject where supposed to imagine a pendulum move, without consciously trying to move it.

The result is the same as just moving it by hand, but it feels almost like something else magically is making the pendulum move by itself, when using his method.

Its like when you try to remember an old solo and you´re sitting watching your fingers play it without having any conscious memory of the fingering.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 29 2006 14:48:44

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 30 2006 5:26:57

Crows

Posts: 89
Joined: Sep. 27 2004

RE: posture and virtuosity (in reply to Guest)

Another couple of books I've found interesting, and inspirational are:

Piano Notes by Charles Rosen
The Inner Game of Music by Green/Gallwey

Piano Notes discusses (amonst many other things)posture/position in relation to the keyboard, and it makes interesting reading and food for thought wrt the guitar.
I've had no formal music training, and I think it's fascinating to try and gain insights of the thought processes and mechanical considerations of those who have. I know it's not a Flamenco-oriented book, but I'm sure that anyone who plays or listens with a degree of commitment will get something out of it.

The Inner Game of Music is a kind of method to help improve concentration and help players become more relaxed by taming the sh1t that goes on inside most peoples heads quite a lot

I really don't go for jargon-filled chest-beating business tomes, so at first I was a bit wary of this book. But, again, there is some good information in there.......and as usual most of it is common sense...why couldn't I think of it and make the $$! I think with a book like this it's really easy to flick through it and think that it's full of b0llox, but some of it really made me think about my mental approach to my practise time, and as a result, I think that I'm squeezing a bit more out of it.

Has anyone on here read both The Inner Game and Touching The Void???
It freaked me out reading TTV after TIG

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 30 2006 18:45:27

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: posture and virtuosity (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

The Inner Game is great, too. I find it helpful to review these things every once inawhile, to get you on track. It's so easy to fall astray into bad habits.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 30 2006 19:20:57

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: posture and virtuosity (in reply to Miguel de Maria) 1 votes

By the way, who gave me the crappy rating for this post? There should be a way to check out and see who's messing around with this crap.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 30 2006 19:30:05

Escribano

Posts: 6417
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: posture and virtuosity (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

quote:

By the way, who gave me the crappy rating for this post? There should be a way to check out and see who's messing around with this crap.

I know but I cannot say. I have given you some though - keep doing what you enjoy!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 30 2006 20:33:18

duende

Posts: 3053
Joined: Dec. 15 2003
From: Sweden

RE: posture and virtuosity (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

I just gave you 2 point Miguel

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 31 2006 4:30:45