Klarinet Archive - Posting 000106.txt from 2002/08

From: Jeremy A Schiffer <schiffer@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Are you a mover & a shaker?
Date: Tue, 6 Aug 2002 18:26:20 -0400

On Tue, 6 Aug 2002, C & B Sabal wrote:

> 2 part question for all:
>
> 1. Do you find it distracting when you are at a concert when musicians sway
> w/ the music?

Only when they are off the beat. Just like with foot tapping - it's fine
if they're right, but annoying as heck when they're wrong.

> 2. Do you emote with the music and move as you play?

Yes, I absolutely have to move when I play. My teacher recently pointed
out that I have a lot of trouble keeping my tempo straight if I'm sitting
still, but it's not a problem at all if I'm moving naturally as I play. I
guess my internal metronome turns off when I don't move.

Of course, I play a lot of klezmer, and moving around is expected. When
you go to a concert where dancing is encouraged, it's vital for the
musicians to be moving around looking like they're having fun. If you're
standing there stiff and upright, and you're the leader, surely no one
in the audience is going to dance. One of the things our music director is
always harping on is the need for us to loosen up and have more fun on
stage, like a good jazz or rock group.

Even when I play in a classical wind ensemble, I still move around, though
I don't believe it's ever been distracting for anyone. In fact, when
people approach me after concerts, it's my expression and tone that are
always the first things complimented (and in klezmer, stage presence), so
I must be doing something right in that respect.

-jeremy

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Jeremy A. Schiffer
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