"TO STAND OR NOT TO STAND?" THAT IS THE QUESTION
By Pamela deWall (Wiley)
By Pamela deWall (Wiley)
Because students normally stand during lessons, it was a shock to me some months ago when one of my students sheepishly admitted that she always sat down when she practiced. I began asking other students about practicing and found a wide variety from “always stand” to “always sit,” with the majority reporting that they do sit for at least part of their practicing. My sense of outrage was quickly tempered by the knowledge that I also sometimes sit to practice. I am also realistic. Here are some facts:
• Standing is not merely a courtesy of lesson behavior; it is an integral part of playing the violin efficiently.
• Violin playing is a function of the whole body – not just the arms, hands and fingers – and the whole body is available only when standing.
• Standing while practicing is healthier, utilizing the larger muscles of the legs and back; people who stand to practice will have fewer aches and pains coming from the stresses peculiar to violin playing.
• The best tone can only be produced while standing because it requires strength and balance from the lower body.
• Proper crossing to the E string is actually impossible from most sitting positions. Students who sit while practicing form bad habits concerning E-string playing: they start to “press” for tone rather than “pull.”
• Practicing from a standing position is more efficient; learning difficult passages takes less time when standing.
• Ballet dancers and baseball players would never practice sitting down; violin playing is a physical skill more akin to dancing, gymnastics or pitching a baseball than it is to reading, writing, typing, watching TV or other activities one does while sitting.
• On the other hand, much of violin playing (principally orchestra and chamber music) is done from a sitting position. We all see seated violin playing in our environment. Our children/students see violinists sitting down and they feel (rightly) that it must be okay. (Note: some small European orchestras are beginning to perform with the violinists and violists standing.)
A realistic approach. I think we all need to accept the fact that sometimes we will sit down during part of our practicing, especially those of us who practice more than 30 minutes per day.
Here are some guidelines:
1. Practice tone production always from a standing position.
2. If you are seated and struggling with a difficult passage, stand and see if it doesn’t go more easily.
3. If you have back or shoulder strain from practicing, try standing more during practice.
4. Establish a good sitting posture on the edge of a flat-seated hard chair or stool with back and shoulder straight and legs slanting down and back.
5. Reserve your seated practice time for orchestra music and sight reading.
6. The most important aspect of your practicing to come from a standing position is your review. This is when your truest music making will be happening and when you will most need your whole body.
• Standing is not merely a courtesy of lesson behavior; it is an integral part of playing the violin efficiently.
• Violin playing is a function of the whole body – not just the arms, hands and fingers – and the whole body is available only when standing.
• Standing while practicing is healthier, utilizing the larger muscles of the legs and back; people who stand to practice will have fewer aches and pains coming from the stresses peculiar to violin playing.
• The best tone can only be produced while standing because it requires strength and balance from the lower body.
• Proper crossing to the E string is actually impossible from most sitting positions. Students who sit while practicing form bad habits concerning E-string playing: they start to “press” for tone rather than “pull.”
• Practicing from a standing position is more efficient; learning difficult passages takes less time when standing.
• Ballet dancers and baseball players would never practice sitting down; violin playing is a physical skill more akin to dancing, gymnastics or pitching a baseball than it is to reading, writing, typing, watching TV or other activities one does while sitting.
• On the other hand, much of violin playing (principally orchestra and chamber music) is done from a sitting position. We all see seated violin playing in our environment. Our children/students see violinists sitting down and they feel (rightly) that it must be okay. (Note: some small European orchestras are beginning to perform with the violinists and violists standing.)
A realistic approach. I think we all need to accept the fact that sometimes we will sit down during part of our practicing, especially those of us who practice more than 30 minutes per day.
Here are some guidelines:
1. Practice tone production always from a standing position.
2. If you are seated and struggling with a difficult passage, stand and see if it doesn’t go more easily.
3. If you have back or shoulder strain from practicing, try standing more during practice.
4. Establish a good sitting posture on the edge of a flat-seated hard chair or stool with back and shoulder straight and legs slanting down and back.
5. Reserve your seated practice time for orchestra music and sight reading.
6. The most important aspect of your practicing to come from a standing position is your review. This is when your truest music making will be happening and when you will most need your whole body.
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