Klarinet Archive - Posting 000599.txt from 2000/12

From: A4ACHESON@-----.com
Subj: Re: Re: [kl] Stand or Sit?
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 19:32:14 -0500

Donna=A0Higgins wrote:
>
> > [my instructor] believes that playing while sitting down constricts
> > one's breathing, and so one should play standing up whenever it's
> > possible to do so.

Tony Pay commented:=20

<<If I stand up, and then sit down (but sitting 'up', if you see what I=20
mean), then the upper part of my body isn't affected.
But apart from that, all the bits and pieces that go towards blowing are
unaltered, as far as I can see. >>=20

I think Tony Pay's 'sitting up while sitting down' is the key.=20
As most playing is done seated, I think some instruction in sitting posture=20=
is
important, but in the early stages, a standing posture has advantages,=20
particularly in at least two areas, namely breathing and rhythm.
The 'slumped' posture, so often seen in seated beginners, is much more easil=
y=20
spotted and corrected in a standing position.
Similarly, a 'unbalanced' posture, inhibiting rhythmic respose, is more=20
easily spotted and corrected in a standing position.
I hope what I mean by 'slumped' and 'unbalanced' needs no further explanatio=
n.
It is not uncommon for directors of large jazz ensembles to insist in player=
s=20
standing, for the rhythmic benefits.
Arthur A

=20

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