Posture is how we hold our body. When we play a musical instrument we have certain definitions to our posture that allows us to play the instrument with the greatest chance of success and the least about of tension in our body. Here we will talk about the details in our posture to ensure the greatest chance of success when playing the clarinet.
Quick Note: Balance is the name of the game!
During the 2 steps below, always be aware of where your Balance is. Is it too forward? Is it too backwards? Is it too to the side? Etc. Balance is important to think about because it gets you to focus on your whole posture and remains a constant quality of posture whether you are sitting or standing while playing.
During the 2 steps below, always be aware of where your Balance is. Is it too forward? Is it too backwards? Is it too to the side? Etc. Balance is important to think about because it gets you to focus on your whole posture and remains a constant quality of posture whether you are sitting or standing while playing.
Step 1: Head Balance
Finding our Head Balance will greatly lessen any chance of creating unwanted stress in our neck. It will also set our airway up for the greatest opportunity to take in and let out air when playing.
Finding our Head Balance will greatly lessen any chance of creating unwanted stress in our neck. It will also set our airway up for the greatest opportunity to take in and let out air when playing.
- Sit up straight and point both of your index fingers into your ears. Keep your index fingers parallel to the ground. The imaginary line from one finger, through your head and to the other finger is the point where our heads rotate back and forth.
- Walk one hand across this imaginary line to the back of your neck until you reach the soft spot in the middle of your neck.
- Keeping your one hand pointed in your ear and one in the back of your head. Rotate your head forwards and feel the tension that is created at that point. Rotate your head back until the tension is gone.
- Keeping your one hand pointed in your ear and one in the back of your head. Rotate your head backwards and feel the tension that is created at that point and at the front of your neck. Rotate your head forward until the tension is gone.
- The point where you have no tension at that point of the back of your head and front of your thought is your best Head Balance point.
Step 2: Sit Bone Balance
"Sit up straight" is a common statement but how do you do that? What should you focus on when trying to "sit up straight"?
We are going to focus on the sit bone balance, your pelvis/tailbone. While maintaining proper head balance, follow these steps to feel how these bones adjust your posture.
"Sit up straight" is a common statement but how do you do that? What should you focus on when trying to "sit up straight"?
We are going to focus on the sit bone balance, your pelvis/tailbone. While maintaining proper head balance, follow these steps to feel how these bones adjust your posture.
- Find a hard seated chair that allows your to have both feet on the ground and knees parallel or nearly parallel to the ground and sit in it normally.
- Rotate your sit bone to the point where the bottom of them is POINTING FORWARDS in the chair. Your back will be curved with your chest/shoulders more over your knees. Notice the tension in your back/shoulders.
- Rotate your sit bones to the point where the bottom of them is POINT BACKWARDS in the chair. Your chest will pushed forward. Notice the tension in your chest; you may also feel tension in your hip joints.
- Rotate your sit bones to the point where they are POINTED STRAIGHT DOWN in the chair. This is the best position for the sit bones to be to create the best posture. You are sitting up tall and have no stress is your check or back.
Putting the 2 together
Remember the phrase "1,2 bring the instrument to you".
Remember the phrase "1,2 bring the instrument to you".
- Find your Head Balance
- Find your Sit Bone Balance
- KEEPING THAT POSTURE: Bring the instrument to you.