How to reduce tension and pain when playing the harp? - Coffee Break Harp 6
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- Опубликовано: 13 окт 2024
- 👉Download free PDF and a transcript for this episode at bit.ly/2BrTgY2
We often think that since pain seems to be the direct result of playing an instrument, there must be something we can do “better” while playing - in order to avoid it.
Frequently we also assume that the part of our body which hurts (for example the wrist, lower back, shoulder…) must be the one we’ve been misusing while practising.
It is important that if you are in pain, you go to see your doctor - who will be able to check for any problems in the areas affected by pain, as well as your harp teacher - who may be able to spot aspects of your technique or position that could be improved.
However, it is vital to remember that your body is a whole, and all of its parts are connected, in one system. And though at the harp, of course, you perform some very specific movements, it is likely that your body is also affected by habitual tension patterns that date may back to many years before you started playing - and that still come into action while you play.
With special thanks to Imogen Barford for all her help in creating this episode.
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By the way... I've just released a brand new, FREE mini video training for harpists who want to get better at reading music. In this training I'm showing you how one simple change of mindset can make everything else fall into place!
To access the training, sign up here and you will get the videos right into your inbox:
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Resources:
The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT): alexandertechn...
Imogen Barford: imogenbarford.com/
Ibacus Harp Course: www.ibacusharp...
Selma Gokcen: welltemperedmu...
Guildhall School of Music and Drama: www.gsmd.ac.uk/
Guildhall School Harp Department: www.gsmd.ac.uk...
Guildhall School Harp Department Facebook page: / guildhallharps
"Body Learning" by Michael Gelb
For more Coffee Break Harp episodes visit: www.coffeebreak...
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🌟 Have you seen the brand new, FREE mini video training for harpists who want to get better at READING MUSIC? Get it here: www.subscribep...
🎥 Find all episodes of Coffee Break Harp and Live Harp Lessons at www.coffeebreak...
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I'm so happy to have discovered this channel! I look forward to going through your videos, and this video in particular is just what I needed.
So happy to hear that - thank you for taking the time to leave such a nice comment! Let me know if you’ve got any harp-related questions or suggestions for future episodes, always happy to add them to the list of future topics!
I have just found your Coffee Break Harp series and really am enjoying them! Thank you so much for sharing!
Aw, thank you for taking the time to leave this nice comment, Roxanne! Let me know if there are any topics that you'd like to know more about - always looking forward to hearing suggestions from subscribers!
Thank you. 🙏
You're very welcome! Let me know if you'd like to hear more on this topic (or any other) 😊
When you take a break to lie down. How long do you do it each time. It would seem impossible to practice 20 min and lie down for 20 minutes
It depends on how do I feel, so it's different every time - depends on how much I practise and what kind of performance I am working towards. Sometimes 5 minutes is enough to realign, sometimes when I feel that there's a lot of tension building up (for example before an important concert) then it's about 15-20.
Thank you
Do you hold your hands with the thumb down as in the video, or completely flat ,resting on top of the hip bones?
Hi Anette, in the video I am mostly holding my hands flat on the hips and from what I remember, this is usually the way my teacher helped me get into during an Alexander Technique lesson. I suppose that if in a lesson my thumbs happened be in the way they are in 8:35, then my teacher would gently guide them to be flat on the hips again. However - I don't remember my teacher specifying in the lessons what the hand position should be, and since I am not a certified teacher myself, I cannot tell you what is the "right" way!
On he other hand (forgive me the pun!) in "Body learning" by Michael Gelb the description of the lying down position specifies that hands "rest gently at your sides" - so chances are there may be more than one answer. If you would like to explore this topic further, I suggest you look for an Alexander Technique teacher and ask for a consultation - many AT teachers offer online appointments now!