tension

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Hey y band teacher keep on dweling on the fact that i hold tension when i play. this is causing major stress to my fingers. every time i say i am having trouble with somthing no matter waht it is he blames it on tension. i have tried to lessen my tension but i just can not do it. does anyone have any advice on what i could od to relax???? thanks

jose_luis
(1350 points)

Maybe your band director is not a teacher and perhaps he/she cannot even play the flute.

Unfortunately I have no experience with bands, but I believe the problem is similar to some teachers comments or demands. If you are already at a high enough playing level, please disregard what follows.

I do not understand when teachers strongly insists on those remarks that are difficult to asses/prove -not to mention to correct them- and that sometimes may even not be so important.

As a student, I could do better, relax more, improve my position and so many other things. But the process of learning is gradual and we cannot correct everything at the same time. IMHO, the results are the important thing. And each one can obtain good results and (gradually)improve following one's own path. Unless one is completely out of the way. Teachers should be flexible enough to understand this. I feel lucky that mine is very tolerant but nevertheless sets goals to be met in each course. And they are not easy to accomplish!

But each teacher (and band director) has his/her own method and personality. This is something we cannot change so we have to adapt. There are some exercises I was told to practise, concerning the right and relaxed position for the arms, hand and neck. You cannot relax everything; for example abdominal tension is important (if done correctly), as well as overall body position.

There is something you should take special care: using too much finger pressure continuously will not only make your fingers hurt but may also damage the pads...

Flute_girl
(60 points)

you really feel strongly about this dont you

jose_luis
(1350 points)

Sorry if my opinion was too strong. Maybe it is too late here and time to go get some rest.

Flute_girl
(60 points)

it really was not to strong it was just somthing noticed it s good to have a strong opinon on things

Patrick
(1356 points)

we are all opinionated here, that is why you get interesting viewpoints, if no one was opinionated, you would learn nothing...

just remember that you balance the flute, not hold it...

Flute_girl
(60 points)

thanks patrick i will try to remember that do u have any suggestions on how i could relax while playing other than balancing not holding?

jose_luis
(1350 points)

A year ago I received some interesting directions on how to play in relaxed but correct position. They came from a high level soloist who also has students. But I have to find the paper where I noted them and then I will copy it here.

Patrick
(1356 points)

I keep my arms and shoulders very relaxed, angle the flute slightly to the left to get balance on my lower lip, my arms are kinda like an artists easal, they support and balance the flute equally

jose_luis
(1350 points)

Patrick, did not know what easal is, so I looked in the dict and I suppose you refer to "easel", right?

<Added>

did not = I did not

Patrick
(1356 points)

sorry for the typo, yes it's easel

Flute_girl
(60 points)

thank you i will have to try that.

schoolgirl0125
(613 points)

I have a different kind of tension, i have a lot of tension around my neck. AND that's why i make throat noises. It sounds like i'm trying to sing while i play my flute. i'm also doing voice lessons, and my teacher said i need to relax my neck.
ANYBODY have this problem too? ^^ ..or am i alone?

schoolgirl0125
(613 points)

tension

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