Want to Expand Your Sound Palette?
Plus uncover ease and confidence in your playing/singing!
Expression is the combination of the facets of sound that originate in our imagination. Each facet is brought to life through movement. How can we expand the palette of sounds, colors, and dynamics to fully convey expressive ideas?
Three Ways to Curiously Explore Sound, Expand Your Palette, Enhance Expression & Confidence
#1 Forget about what you think you know; just listen!
In this approach, you are simultaneously creator and observer of sound. Listen to the sound. Let go of the idea that it is ‘your sound’; it is simply sound in your space. Inquire…
What do you hear?
What is the timbre like, the balance of low, mid and high overtones?
Is there any place in your body that is overworking to create this sound?
Can you detach from the idea that the sound is you and simply listen with fresh ears?
#2 Modulate Effort
Explore what happens if you adjust your effort up and down. What is it like to use minimal effort to create sound? Contrast this with increased effort. What emerges in the sound that you hear? Perhaps you will uncover new sweet spots for pitches.
#3 Distract Yourself From Your Habits
A great way to do this is to add movement into your sound-making exploration. Not just any movement, but movement that connects the body from the ground up. The movement need not be connected to the pulse of the music. There are many terrific movements you can employ; here are a few from previous posts.
A Dynamic Relationship with the Ground
Would You Like to Be More Grounded As You Play or Sing?
In my playing, I find spending time using these approaches (and creating new ones) expands my palette of the sounds at my disposal to create expression and increases my comfort level as a player. This growth mindset approach keeps music-making fresh and authentic, which, for me, is a big part of the joy of being a musician.
Let me know what you discover.