Chin rest angle and its role in Posture and good Tone
Chin rest angle and its role in Posture and good Tone
I'm writing this for those that either have good posture and cannot seem to get a big solid tone or for those that have to bend their bodies to their instruments in order to get a full sound. The answer is in the angle of the chin rest and the air stream.
I make and play shakuhachi and as a result of overwork and incorrect posture I developed RSI injuries and issues. I've learned that posture is key for safe playing and in a healthy life style. After correcting my posture I began to notice just how much I was conforming to my flute in order to get a good tone. To get good tone one has to blow or direct the air more into the shakuhachi vs outward "bottle blowing".
For those with a normal chin or a forward chin this means that you have to compensate quite a bit in order to direct the air stream for the best tone. Most of the time this means either bending the neck downward to meet the flute, because the chin rest angle is too horizontal, or lifting the flute upward, which fatigues the arms at the shoulders. I found that by grinding down the chin rest more I could have my arms relaxed, I could keep my neck straight, and I could still make a solid tone. No more overcompensating for the very horizontal chin rest.
*What I did was stand in front of a mirror, assume good posture and then bring the flute to me, my face, and watch to makes sure I wasn't in anyway bring my self to the flute. So no bending forward of the neck or having to lift the arms unreasonably high.
UPDATES:
posture and how to play
how to hold large shakuhachi
small hands and holding shakuhachi
Ro on~ Jon
I make and play shakuhachi and as a result of overwork and incorrect posture I developed RSI injuries and issues. I've learned that posture is key for safe playing and in a healthy life style. After correcting my posture I began to notice just how much I was conforming to my flute in order to get a good tone. To get good tone one has to blow or direct the air more into the shakuhachi vs outward "bottle blowing".
For those with a normal chin or a forward chin this means that you have to compensate quite a bit in order to direct the air stream for the best tone. Most of the time this means either bending the neck downward to meet the flute, because the chin rest angle is too horizontal, or lifting the flute upward, which fatigues the arms at the shoulders. I found that by grinding down the chin rest more I could have my arms relaxed, I could keep my neck straight, and I could still make a solid tone. No more overcompensating for the very horizontal chin rest.
*What I did was stand in front of a mirror, assume good posture and then bring the flute to me, my face, and watch to makes sure I wasn't in anyway bring my self to the flute. So no bending forward of the neck or having to lift the arms unreasonably high.
UPDATES:
posture and how to play
how to hold large shakuhachi
small hands and holding shakuhachi
Ro on~ Jon
Last edited by Jon Kypros on 2024-04-01, 18:21; edited 2 times in total
That's a nice video and instruction, Jon. I like the emphasis on posture. I'm curious though, when you wrote "filling the chin rest more", was it a typo and you meant "filing"?
The following web site is for silver flute, but most of the posture related tips work for shakuhachi too. The author is an Alexander Technique practitioner, I found the tips to be very useful: http://www.garyschocker.com/lessons.html
The following web site is for silver flute, but most of the posture related tips work for shakuhachi too. The author is an Alexander Technique practitioner, I found the tips to be very useful: http://www.garyschocker.com/lessons.html
One thing I've noticed about posture is that when reading music you must keep the music notation in the correct place so that you don't lower your head to look at it. This messes with your neck and your air stream.
"Stefan Emich""Stefan Emich"Hello Jon, Thanks for the video. That's very helpful information!
I'm really glad to hear it was helpful and you're welcome. I plan to do more really soon.
"CharlesKoeppen""CharlesKoeppen"That's a nice video and instruction, Jon. I like the emphasis on posture. I'm curious though, when you wrote "filling the chin rest more", was it a typo and you meant "filing"?
The following web site is for silver flute, but most of the posture related tips work for shakuhachi too. The author is an Alexander Technique practitioner, I found the tips to be very useful: http://www.garyschocker.com/lessons.html
Hello,
My mistake! Yes I meant filing. I went ahead and edited to "grinding". Thank you for the link. I also want/need to look into the Alexander Technique more. The book I've found to be interesting and helpful is Esther Gokhale's (https://egwellness.com/). Really interesting look out how in recent times quite a few cultures have lost the link to good posture because of modern activities and even fashion influence. She looks at people from places where the link is still there, from parent to child, on how to walk stand and do hard work without injury or pain.
"Brian Tairaku Ritchie""Brian Tairaku Ritchie"One thing I've noticed about posture is that when reading music you must keep the music notation in the correct place so that you don't lower your head to look at it. This messes with your neck and your air stream.
Hi,
Yeah that too! For me, as the music got harder, there was a tendency to bend closer and closer toward it
flutedojo.com
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Last edited by Jon Kypros on 2024-04-01, 18:21; edited 1 time in total
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