Meaningful Movement- To move or not to move that is the question?

Meaningful Movement

To move or not to move, that is the question? 

Not really...everything alive has movement... 

The question is what kind of music are you making and what kind of movement are you creating?

It really is not about "not moving".  

It is about discovering the use of our whole self and our wholeself as the instrument to make music in and through. 

Are you using your whole self (mind, body, spirit)  or just a part of it? Perhaps you are only aware of part of yourself? 

Possibility:

I am inviting you to open yourself up to the possibility of being your whole self to play, perform, practice, live... 

Flutistically, Artistically, Wholistically. 

It is about being inclusive in your awareness and balanced in your dynamic movement.

This is all about making music come to life in a meaningful, authentic, dynamic,  natural, expressive and artistic way. 

It is not about a right or wrong way, but educating yourself, being open and curious.

Discovering and Observing life, your practice and performing and being fascinated by infinite possibilities. It is also about the choices you can make and how they effect you, the music, the audience and life.

What kind of Movement are you creating? Is it meaningful? Is it Musical? 

I feel it is essential to consider your movement and how it effects:

The Music.

The Audience.

Your self: 

as a growing as a musician.

having more artistic choices of movement

not creating habits that take away from the music

not creating habits that cause tension and harm to your body

finding ways to move that are natural and do not harm the body

Is it Habitual or Expressive of the Music?


I observe most people falling into a habitual movement that has very little to do with the music. An example would be that they are beating, keeping time with the end of their flute in a vertical manner. Another common movement is to stir or constantly circle with their flute. Both of these movements are habitual as when asked to stop the movement it is very difficult for them, they are unaware that they are doing it and it and it has become a habit not a movement that expresses the music. 


So, what are some ideas to become mindful of your  movement and the music?


Video record your practice in 5 minute intervals.
Examine your movement, practice and music making. What do you observe about the quality of your movements, what do you hear happens when you move? Is it effecting the music line, your tone, your technique in a positive way or taking away from the music? Record your self again not moving, but rather replacing the habitual movement with moving your air and the musical line. How did you do now? What did you observe. Can you feel the natural movement that is already happening in your body? Some of those movements are the movement of the spine- gathers as you inhale, lengthens as you exhale. The movement of the ribs as they rock back and forth and their elastic nature that shape around the lungs as they expand. The balance of the head on top of the spine, the freedom of the neck, the width of the shoulders...  There is so much natural movement in the body and in the music... 


Replace your habitual vertical movement with a horizontal movement, like the bow of a string instrument, that imitates, reflects the musical line. 
What do you notice by listening to yourself and recording yourself when you use this kind of movement? Generally it sounds more flowing, lyrical and natural. It tends to have less lumps and bumps in the line. It also can help you to connect with your air stream and notice where you are tending to stop the air the musical line. 


Just stop moving and LISTEN.
I feel that a lot of our habitual movement is tied up in covering up, not intentionally, really listening to what we are creating as musicians. If you stop and really LISTEN you will hear more.  If you stop moving and listen what do you hear? Can you hear more of what you are doing and perhaps not doing? If you stop and listen can you use more energy towards the music? If you stop and listen can you create with more conviction and clarity the composers music and your creative ideas of expressing the music in a meaningful, mindful way? 


 I hope that you enjoy adding this element of mindful, meaningful, movement to your practice.


~ Jennifer