Do You Move When You Play?

[PhilO]

This question arises from a question posed to me by my daughter's boyfriend who I subjected to display, playing and story behind each of about 100 of the whistles in my collection. He noted that I had a sort of "shoulder thing" going on when I got into a groove at times. My response was that some of the best players I'd seen appear perfectly still or perhaps just a steady toe tapping. (Yes, I now use my whistles rather than the shotgun on prospective beaus of my youngin')

Well this came to mind again when I watched Jim Stone's video - he had that almost imperceptible "shoulder thing" going on.

Well, do you guys move when you play? (Remember Sundance Kid, when the payroll guy was testing their shooting before he hired them as guards - "Can I move...I'm better when I move..."

Philo

[narrowdog]

Mahanpots has definitely got a 'shoulder thing' going here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhb_b2ne ... annel_page
especally at the start of the B part
Nice playing too

Nick

[Nanohedron]

I used to move and groove quite a bit; I was into it. Now, though, I'm a lot more still when I play than in the past. It's not a tense rigidity thing, but more one of setting the body up as a solid, supportive base from sole to seat, from seat to spine and shoulders, and from spine and shoulders to neck (which is part of the spine, of course), all the way to the top of the head, all connected. I guess you could call it "poise". In my case I do think it makes all techniques generally easier to execute well, and of course I have better and more precise control of the instrument 'cause I'm not bouncing and swaying like a tree in a storm .

But, I still boogie a bit now and again.

[Denny]

so much for the palm tree....

[Dain]

I "discovered" that only when i saw myself in a video. I knew that sometimes i swirl my head left and right when playing airs, but i had no idea it looked that funny, because the whistle stayed put, but my head was all over the place. Looked like Ray Charles on a whistle.

[mutepointe]

To dodge the rotten veggies you bet.

It depends on where, what, and when I'm playing. I play in church (in the front of the congregation), so there are times (and not all times) when playing standing somewhat still is the right thing to do. When I see the children are dancing in the pews and aisles, I figure it's OK for me to sway a bit too.

[MTGuru]

To dodge the rotten veggies you bet.

In church? That's a hell of a way to run a food drive.

[Dain]

To dodge the rotten veggies you bet.

[Tia]

I always move while I play, usually unconciously, sometimes just a shoulder, or just feet, I tend to stand on one leg when I really get into the music, and I usually walk around if I dont have a stand infront of me. If I'm really nervous though I dont move as much.

[chris_coreline]

i tend to start with good posture and end up slumped with terrable posture.

i need to be lashed to the fricken chair.

[pancelticpiper]

It would be interesting to find out if there's a trend, if there was a certain sort of movement that is common amongst ITM whistle players.

Because in the classical/legit world it does seem that certain sorts of movements are typically done by the players of certain instruments.

Orchestral flute players, for example, tend to move the open end of the flute more or less around in a circle. (And raise their eyebrows, but that's another topic.)

I was watching a certain jazz band and I noticed that the trumpet guy would get up on his tiptoes when he hit really high notes, while the sax guy would bend at the knees, his whole body going lower, when he played high passages. Hmmmm...

[chris_coreline]

....while the sax guy would bend at the knees, his whole body going lower, when he played high passages. Hmmmm...

may i be the first to christen this pehnominan 'the Kenny-G effect'

[Tia]

I was watching a certain jazz band and I noticed that the trumpet guy would get up on his tiptoes when he hit really high notes, while the sax guy would bend at the knees, his whole body going lower, when he played high passages. Hmmmm...

I've noticed that too, mostly with the sax players...also theres the raised eyebrows when playing a particulary high note

[Denny]

none of the woodwind family play in tune with themselves....

they're just tryin' ta get the thing up there


kinda like the face on the guitar player when they have to reach down near the pickups....

[riverman]

I tend to do a little dipping of my head and shoulders to the right when I hit a part I really love to play. Kind of easing into the group of notes.