Posture, hold and freedom of movement
- Maintain an appropriate balanced and relaxed posture, both sitting and standing:
- holding the instrument with ease in an appropriate manner
- developing stamina to play for longer periods of time as range of notes increases and demands of dynamics intensifies
Continue to emphasise the importance of good posture and freedom of movement.
Ensure that the instrument hold does not compromise posture. French horn players should now be playing with an established right hand position with consistency, and performing techniques such as hand stopping with confidence.
Ask learners to devise their own checklist of the main sources of tension. Discuss how tension can be alleviated.
Some learners with poor posture and/or tension find relaxation methods useful, e.g. yoga, Alexander Technique.
Continue to encourage positive body language when performing.
Encourage learners to use imagery in order to convey the character and mood of the music. Discuss how posture may contribute towards communication.
Provide opportunities for learners to observe how others communicate in performance, e.g. master-classes, concerts.
Encourage learners to attend a wide range of live performances where possible, and/or watch live performances online.
Help learners to use their posture to communicate musical intention, e.g. beginning and/or changing tempo in an ensemble.
Ensemble may mean soloist and piano, quartet/quintet, etc.
Discuss ways in which learners can develop the physical and mental stamina required to play longer, more demanding pieces.
Explore the progression of this Learning Objective
Continue exploring the current Programme of Study
