What your instrument asks of you: Strings

In this course we work to meet the challenges of playing a string instrument with new tools and insights.

We learn to activate your awareness and postural system to free your playing technique

The menu below includes links to films or texts to help you plan your practice sessions. You practice at least 4 times a week for 15 minutes. Each time you pick two things to do: one warmup or tactic without our instrument, and one with your instrument. You will, over time, become more aware of how you are using your whole self when playing. You keep a diary of your practice sessions as part of your class work. In the last class you share your finding with the others in a short demonstration.

TOPICS: We focus in the class on:

Spinal spring in playing:

Head forward and up

Eyes on the horizon + peripheral vision

Diaphragm, not stuck when vision wide and (music) task understood

Floor gives lift and spring to soles of feet

Chair supports sitting bones

Awareness of space around and behind you.

Gentle turn and nod of head

WITH YOUR INSTRUMENT: What you can do while playing:

Whispered Ah

Walk backwards OR Rock backwards in chair to refresh your back.

STOP-GO-IMAGINE looking outside

Lunge (violin)

To lift or place your instrument:

Violin/Viola: Instrument toss and throw (shown with stick)

Cello: Cello gymnastics

Bass: Bass gymnastic with lunge

Bow games:

All strings:

Bow fencing

Violin/Viola:

Tick Tock (rotation of lower arm)

Pillow fencing (release of upper arm) using stick or fibreglass bow

Rest tip of bow with arm in open position between phrases.

Left flank stretch with instrument

Cello:

Bow tip resting on floor with arm in open position. see films above.

Look at bow and then string, release bow to meet string. (rotation of lower arm)

Rest tip of bow on floor with arm in open position between phrases. see films above

Bass: see films above

Bow tip resting on chair with arm in open position.

Look at bow and then string, release bow to meet string. (rotation of lower arm)

Rest tip of bow on chair with arm in open position between phrases.

WITHOUT YOUR INSTRUMENT: WARM-UPS:

On Floor:

Daily prep and recovery:

Lie down

Mermaid

Wake up spinal strength and flexibility: Lying on your stomach: Progressive head lift with use of eyes, push up to arch back, then go to “child position”

Lie down with arms

Lie down with feet on wall

Standing:

Complete stretch:

Space to breathe stretch

Unpacking the musician

Goddess spiral

Murray Chair stretch

Slow unwind of tight muscles:

Head to wall for spinal awareness

Arm wall hang

Bounces for vitality: