It's been a while since I've felt productive. I decided to really work on tone today until I actually noticed an improvement that I could describe in words.
I have played while lying on the floor in Body Mapping lessons to note how reducing effort can increase resonance.
Semi-Supine Position
Today's revelations while practicing on the floor...
- "Feel air entering through the nose or mouth and let the rest take care of itself." I find myself trying to help my body move to inhale, but it just leads to tension and awkward movements. My body does a better job taking air in when I get out of the way and simply observe the journey the air takes.
- Alexander Technique teachers suggest placing a book under your head when lying in this position. Without the book, I was very much aware airway restriction. With the book, I noticed an improvement in breathing.
I was inspired by Jasmine Choi's Paganini Caprice this morning, specifically her flawless octave tapers. WOW.
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz40f_geQRo)
Jasmine Choi is stunning and effortless. So inspiring.
While lying on the floor, I used just my headjoint to see how effortless I could make my own octave changes. I noticed that I was the least successful when I used the most effort.
- My habit was to move my jaw forward and pull my lips back.
- When I inhibited this extra effort, I realized that I made the change in my aperture. I noticed my aperture getting smaller and I could feel the air moving beneath the center of my upper lip. (Never noticed that before!)
It worked. I stood up and added my headjoint to the rest of my flute. Octave tapers were so easy that they actually became fun!
Turn inspiration into intention.
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