The Other Support

For musicians, the word, support is often suggested.  “You need more support!” “Play with more support!”  We hear this often, but what do they mean?  

Do they mean to grip a muscle or group of muscles? Do they mean “to do” something as we play? Musically, it is an indication that the phrase isn’t growing organically or that we are overworking to convey an idea.

This is a big question that is left undefined.  The answer we choose can lead us in several different directions.

I have thought about this question a lot.  My first thought is that music-making (any activity for that matter) is movement. I know that excess tension in any part of the body limits all movement to some degree. Even in big dynamic movements like jumping, we need a certain level of support or physical engagement. 

How can we support movement?

We need to move and we need to support movement.  At one level we have an amazing skeleton within (206 bones) that provide effortless support.  The soft tissue that organized around the skeletal bones is another layer or layers of support.  I think we are getting closer…

I have come to the idea that…

…support is the ability to move how we need to in an activity.

Different activities require different amounts of support.  For music-making, we need access to large movements, such as bow arm movements, as well as very small nuanced movements, such as embouchure changes. Excessive muscular engagement cuts off access to the subtle movements that shape the inflections in phrasing and makes large movements more effortful.

Instead of bracing the next time you are asked to play with more support, inquire into yourself, “where can I move more fluidly?” Think about releasing into control, rather bracing for control.

Enjoy support!  Be curious…