Seeing From All Sides

Have you videoed yourself playing?  What did you notice?

We tend to look at ourselves from the front, but changing perspectives can be even more revealing.  Eliminating facial expression, movement of fingers reveals larger movements or bracing that might be impeding expression.

Today, set your phone up to record yourself from behind and from the side. Observe your playing from all sides.  Identify where in the body the large movements are coming from.  Things to look for:

• If you notice a lot of gyrations at the waist, you aren’t harnessing the power of your base. 

• If you notice a shoulder or both rising up as you play and staying raised, this tension is limiting your breath and isolating your hands from the support that the whole arm offers. 

• If your head moves forward or up, or you are breathing by tipping the head back the rest of your body is bracing.

Observe without judgement!  The information you gain provides a means to change!

Be curious…