Relaxation is absolute necessary when playing the shakuhachi.
Often unnecessary tension can creep into your body when you can’t get the note you want, when you are intent on getting a meri just right, or when you are trying power out a loud note. Even if we are aware of this, it’s hard to combat the tendency.
There are many ways to try to relax our bodies. Most of them have to do with using images. Choosing the right image can make the difference between success or failure.
For instance, there is one method where you sit in a chair and imagine your arms getting heavier. Alternately, you can imagine the palms of your hands getting warmer. Try these while playing shakuhachi.
Of course, you can’t hang your arms by your sides when playing, but you can imagine your arms from shoulder to elbow getting heavier or warmer as you play.
Since your abdomen can’t be totally relaxed and still give you the proper breath power you need, try this method as you adjust the level of relaxation in your abdomen.
One more thing: When you get too tense playing the shakuhachi, oftentimes the angle your elbows make will decrease. Besides keeping unwanted tension in your body,this can tend to shove the shakuhachi up against your chin more than is necessary, which can have a negative effect on your playing.
When playing, try out the image of increasing the angles of your elbows (straightening them out). One image that is useful for this is imaging water flowing out from your shoulders, through your arms, and out your hands. You might see this has a good effect. 作者: 文慶 時間: 2012-11-26 09:30