For no practical reason, other than because the thought has come into my Head.
Whilst having a blow and a waggle this morning (I've moved on from not being much bothered about playing, to having a regular blow and waggle, which is my personal and loosely descriptive approach to "intense" practice), I had a thought about how I hold and stand as I practice. (I appreciate some sit whilst playing and we've had a thread on this recently).
My usual playing stance (if I'm standing, with a Tenor, the connoisseur's choice) is pretty much square on, with the tube of the Sax running straight down the centre of my body. I don't know why I do this, but I do. I generally rest the bow of the horn against the inside of my right leg and hold the horn quite close to my body rather than push it far in front of me like Sonny does! I find that a bit of a strain on my thumb.
I had a bit of a play around with my batting stance today, turning to my right side by around 40 Degrees and running the Sax down the right side of my body like I've seen lots of players do. This creates a much different angle on the Sax, puts less strain on my thumbs and I found I was much more able to finger lower notes with less pressure. Having made the suitable adjustments to the neck and mouthpiece angle to suit my new 'style', I adjusted my strap a bit higher. It seemed to have a slight improvement on my Tone, or at least it sounded a bit different. Maybe my left ear, being the one close to the horn, hears a bit differently...
Is anyone still reading... blimey, you must be as bored as I am
What's your preferred stance? I imagine it might be affected by a number of things (or not)
What version of the Sax you're playing
Whether you're practising or performing
Whether you're sitting or standing
Whether you're feeling in the mood (or playing 'In The Mood', or 'I'm In The Mood For Love' or 'I'm In The Mood For Dancing (romarncing)')
Whether you're trying to impress a certain member of the Audience
If your Back is up to it
Do you have any 'performing' stances that you bring out for the big occasions or after that big glass of wine. Maybe you have a magic move that wows Audiences (what were they, Daddy?)
Anyone stand on one leg like that bloke out of that Prog Band with the Flute?
Interesting stories of stances that went bad?..
Pictures would be enjoyable..
Whilst having a blow and a waggle this morning (I've moved on from not being much bothered about playing, to having a regular blow and waggle, which is my personal and loosely descriptive approach to "intense" practice), I had a thought about how I hold and stand as I practice. (I appreciate some sit whilst playing and we've had a thread on this recently).
My usual playing stance (if I'm standing, with a Tenor, the connoisseur's choice) is pretty much square on, with the tube of the Sax running straight down the centre of my body. I don't know why I do this, but I do. I generally rest the bow of the horn against the inside of my right leg and hold the horn quite close to my body rather than push it far in front of me like Sonny does! I find that a bit of a strain on my thumb.
I had a bit of a play around with my batting stance today, turning to my right side by around 40 Degrees and running the Sax down the right side of my body like I've seen lots of players do. This creates a much different angle on the Sax, puts less strain on my thumbs and I found I was much more able to finger lower notes with less pressure. Having made the suitable adjustments to the neck and mouthpiece angle to suit my new 'style', I adjusted my strap a bit higher. It seemed to have a slight improvement on my Tone, or at least it sounded a bit different. Maybe my left ear, being the one close to the horn, hears a bit differently...
Is anyone still reading... blimey, you must be as bored as I am
What's your preferred stance? I imagine it might be affected by a number of things (or not)
What version of the Sax you're playing
Whether you're practising or performing
Whether you're sitting or standing
Whether you're feeling in the mood (or playing 'In The Mood', or 'I'm In The Mood For Love' or 'I'm In The Mood For Dancing (romarncing)')
Whether you're trying to impress a certain member of the Audience
If your Back is up to it
Do you have any 'performing' stances that you bring out for the big occasions or after that big glass of wine. Maybe you have a magic move that wows Audiences (what were they, Daddy?)
Anyone stand on one leg like that bloke out of that Prog Band with the Flute?
Interesting stories of stances that went bad?..
Pictures would be enjoyable..