Weekly Studio Update + Balance and Movement at the Piano

Now, time for number 6 on the list of 8 Ways to Improve Your Musicianship:

Your whole body is free to move and co-ordinate when you’re balanced.
​
For some of you, this is a topic that we've looked at in-depth, for some of you it's something that we're yet to visit, but this point is a crucial one when it comes to playing the piano. Most of the time when we sit, we're looking to relax. We sit back, we put our weight on our bottom, and the mere thought of reaching for the remote is groan-inducing. This is where playing the piano is different.

---

When we're at the piano, we're doing an activity. We need to be active. Activity involves movement, and movement is really, really easy when we're supported and balanced to do so. The better your balance, the easier it is to move. It's a simple equation!

So, how do you become better balanced at the piano? Well, there's a few key ingredients, but the biggest one is to think about your feet. When you have your feet on the ground in front of you, you're adding to the amount of points that you can shift your balance on to, and providing additional support for movement. As an experiment, you can try leaning as far forward as possible with your feet tucked under the seat, and then again with your feet on the ground in front of you.

Which one gives you the greater range of movement?
​
As I mentioned earlier, this is an in-depth topic that we've just scratched the surface of, so if you're keen on learning more about balance and movement at the piano, I'll be MORE than happy to help you during your next lesson.

Things I've been watching/listening to this week:

1. Tara Simmons 'Show Me Spirit 'til the End' - Online Listening Party - this was a tough one to watch. My friend Tara passed away a little over a year ago, and her final album of songs she was working on until the very end has just been released. This features song introductions from Yanto Browning, Tara's songwriting and producing partner, who coincidentally was the producer of the album I recorded with my band Sports Fan.
2. Rock music’s most noteworthy instrument - a short feature on the resident piano of Trident Studios in London, an instrument that featured on a huge amount of classic hits from the Beatles, Queen and many more.

Be sure to let me know what you've been enjoying lately and if there's anything you think I should check out!

​