Tension Part 1

On this installment of @yamahamusicusa #silentbass and @laklandbasses Friday, we start a two-part discussion on "Tension". The first is physical tension and the second, performance tension. Today, physical tension. What I mean by this is tightening up or "over gripping" ur instrument while playing. Not only can this affect ur playing, it can lead to discomfort, pain and injury. The goal here is to do our best play in a relaxed state in order to release our full creative potential..u dig? Ok, how? IMO, there are two approaches. First, check ur posture while playing. Are u sitting or standing comfortably? Not slouching with even weight distribution? Are your shoulders down, parallel and relaxed? Are u gripping the neck like someone is going ro rip it out of ur hand? Are you plucking, slapping or picking overly hard...like ur mad at the instrument? Sometimes we don't even notice we are doing these things, until we stop and feel the stiffness and pain associated with it. A mirror is ur best friend here, or u can vdeo urself. U will be amazed. I try to work on posture every day because it is easy to slip into bad habits and cause injury. Espescially if we are concetrating on something challenging. Next, be cognizant of how relaxed u r when playing in the shed. Most of us will tend to tense up as we play. The key is to train ur body and mind NOT to do this. When you feel urself tensing up, stop, put the instrument down, stretch, walk around the house, pet ur dog, get a cup of coffee...something to loosen u up and reset. U will find as u work on this, the time it takes u to tense up will increase until u remain relaxed for an entire session..and it will translate to performance as well. Believe me, I have seen improvement in many of my students as well as my own playing...I had a SEVERE tension issue back in the day. As always, I invite your insights. #yamahamusicusa #makewaves #pirastro #glasserny #laklandbasses #sitstrings #tsunamicables #philjonesbass #uptonbassstringinstrumentcompany #basslessons  #remotelessons #www.charleysabatino.com.