Thanks for this reminder. I have a really bad habit of chewing on my tongue throughout the day. I know it can't possibly be good for my flute-playing to have so much tension in my tongue and jaw all day long.
Hi Terry...Tension is more common for people like me who have learned the flute from a private teacher. Other students who went to a conservatory may not have this problem since they are accustomed playing in front of other people on a daily basis. For the rest of us the stress of performing live is terrifying and often result in tight lips racing heartbeat and neck pain all in the first five minutes. Although I know I am a good flute player I do not perform in public anymore.
Completely resonated (pun intended) with your thoughtful ideas. Tension in our physical body and emotional body definitely impacts our sound and expression. Self-care in and out of the practice room is essential for our well-being as musicians. I just used your suggestion of softening the eyes and that helped me! Thank you, Terri!
I know this is late, but the stress of State contest coming up for highschool has suddenly really impacted my playing and I never feel very accomplished. My tone, my tuning, all sounds wack. I feel incompetent to the higher grade students in that class, especially my section. I feel anxious and stuff... I feel like I'm back to the beginning years of my flute playing. Can you help me get better or suggest any advice?
Hi, @cookie_thefish7077! Stress about upcoming performance deadlines is definitely a challenge many flute players encounter. When we are in stress mode or "survival mode" it is hard for us to have much listening sensitivity, which is absolutely essential for finding the sweet spots, having meaningful warm-ups, cultivating elegant intonation and more. The answer is always to seek "luxury mode." Only when you are relaxed, breathing and not in a rush can your brain process nuances in tone and tuning. It may seem counterintuitive, but indulging in some luxurious activities like meditation, journaling, stretching, breathing exercises, reading, drawing, painting, taking a walk in nature ... anything you can do to feel safe and good and relaxed ... these things will help your mind to get out of fight/flight/freeze/faint mode and you will be able to do more quality listening which can lead to more productive practice which will result in you feeling much better about your tone and tuning!
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Thanks for this reminder. I have a really bad habit of chewing on my tongue throughout the day. I know it can't possibly be good for my flute-playing to have so much tension in my tongue and jaw all day long.
Hi, @erinnguyen 1616! If you read my response to @cookie_thefish7077, you'll get some good ideas that may also address the stress habit you mentioned!
Hi Terry...Tension is more common for people like me who have learned the flute from a private teacher. Other students who went to a conservatory may not have this problem since they are accustomed playing in front of other people on a daily basis. For the rest of us the stress of performing live is terrifying and often result in tight lips racing heartbeat and neck pain all in the first five minutes. Although I know I am a good flute player I do not perform in public anymore.
Completely resonated (pun intended) with your thoughtful ideas. Tension in our physical body and emotional body definitely impacts our sound and expression. Self-care in and out of the practice room is essential for our well-being as musicians. I just used your suggestion of softening the eyes and that helped me! Thank you, Terri!
I'm so pleased soft eyes and the idea feeling good benefitting your tone resonated, Lynne!
I know this is late, but the stress of State contest coming up for highschool has suddenly really impacted my playing and I never feel very accomplished. My tone, my tuning, all sounds wack. I feel incompetent to the higher grade students in that class, especially my section. I feel anxious and stuff... I feel like I'm back to the beginning years of my flute playing. Can you help me get better or suggest any advice?
Hi, @cookie_thefish7077! Stress about upcoming performance deadlines is definitely a challenge many flute players encounter. When we are in stress mode or "survival mode" it is hard for us to have much listening sensitivity, which is absolutely essential for finding the sweet spots, having meaningful warm-ups, cultivating elegant intonation and more. The answer is always to seek "luxury mode." Only when you are relaxed, breathing and not in a rush can your brain process nuances in tone and tuning. It may seem counterintuitive, but indulging in some luxurious activities like meditation, journaling, stretching, breathing exercises, reading, drawing, painting, taking a walk in nature ... anything you can do to feel safe and good and relaxed ... these things will help your mind to get out of fight/flight/freeze/faint mode and you will be able to do more quality listening which can lead to more productive practice which will result in you feeling much better about your tone and tuning!