What Does it Mean to Relax?
Uncovering Clarity in A Vague Suggestion
“Relax as you play this.” A common direction that teachers offer to students to enable them to increase expression. But, what does it mean? Maybe you have even thought to yourself, “how do I relax and play?”
In an attempt to “relax” and play more expressively tension or bracing is introduced into the body in an attempt to relieve existing tension that limits expression and/or technique.
So what does it mean to relax?
To me, the instruction to “relax” is meant to allow more flexibility, more ease in the body. My ‘Body Mapping’ mind begins to assess inquiring, “what am I not doing that I need to do?” You can think of this as sub-optimal movement, or I am moving in a way that conflicts with the way I am designed to move.
One big area that tends to influence every aspect of playing is breathing. (for more on breathing read, ‘Introducing Your Ribs.” String players, pianists, and conductors often hold their breath when they are “trying hard” or playing something they feel is challenging. Winds, brass and singers can actually ‘under-breathe’. I know because I did this for a very long time in my attempts not to run out of air.
When the breath is inhibited, muscles throughout the body tense up and limit movement. Even the fingers will tighten up and the small muscles that move the embouchure. The effects are global!
Body Mapping is a memorable, integrable way to learn to move better as well as a direct way to resolve the effects of excess playing tension. I use my map of the joints and connections in the body to inform all that I do, from playing Mozart to jumping in Parkour.
I hope this gives you some insights into how to interpret the suggestion to ‘relax’. It’s about finding just the right movements with just the right effort to serve your musical intention!
Be curious…
Speaking of breathing, I am offering a drop-in class Tuesday, July 28th at 3 pm EST on ‘Breathing resonance’. We will map the movements of breathing and bring them into making sound. This weekly drop-in class is $15 and open to anyone. https://www.breathemoveperform.com/drop-in-details
Building The Phrase is BACK in August 2020. - Aug 12-14th Drew Ricciardi and I are offering this transformative workshop to 10 lucky people who want to play healthy, heal and unleash their artistry even more! This workshop was SO powerful for participants and because of interest. Here is what one participant said about BTP…
“Vanessa and Drew are like the Dreamteam! We got two perspectives on BodyMapping and how it relates to our playing that was so clearly articulated, generously given, and covered so fully. Both Vanessa and Drew teach this from the perspective of their own personal stories and so the information genuinely originates from their own personal challenges and successes. Hard to argue with that! These three days were a gift beyond words. SO much good information here, lots of time to try things and discuss the feeling and experience which is such a huge part of building this practice. To get to hear others play and implement these concepts and then HEAR it in their playing in the moment as well as a chance to play myself made for a wonderful individual and group experience. “