Greetings from Denver, CO!

Fellow Feldenkrais Practitioner and pianist Bob Schlesinger and I are presenting a workshop on how enhancing somatic awareness can improve your ability to improvise.

Sunday, October 16th from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Broadway Music School

Here's the PDF for more information: Download Impro workshop poster 10-2011.

 Hope to see some of you there and all the best,

John

Many, many moons ago when starting Grad School, a famous woodwind player from a major orchestra said to me, "The modern trombone player is just a boob, no creativity whatsoever!" As you can imagine, I found the remark insulting, but I didn't just brush it off (it's still with me today!). My understanding is that it may have been in reference to some trombone players lacking in musicality. However, reading forums about music making, this seems to be a common theme among all musicians but that's another topic altogether.

One very creative trombone player and I happen to think that there are many, has released the first three chapters from a book he's working on entitled, "Metaphor Your Music." Dr. Tom Gibson is the name of this very creative fellow and I enjoy his podcasts, "Trombone Lessons.Com" (on iTunes). Tom is full of love of life and trombone, and a very positive force in the teaching world.

In the introduction, Tom writes about the importance of including all five senses in your musical expression and telling a story. So many musicians I hear (including myself when I'm not present) just play or try to be good, leaving the music practically devoid of life and spirit. When I do hear musicians who speak to me (regardless of ability level), I feel inspired and energized. Just reading the first three chapters has already motivated me to be even more present in my music making, and to further seek out what I need to say. Thank you Tom!

I've included the pdf files here because Tom said it was OK to pass them on. You can also get them from his podcast mentioned above.

Download Metaphor Your Music, Introduction

Download Metaphor Your Music, Chapter 1

Download Metaphor Your Music, Chapter 2

Thanks for reading!

Be sure to check out the DMS podcasts, Feldenkrais mini lessons for musicians and speakers.
From iTunes

You can purchase the “Dynamic Musician Series: Dynamic Stability and Breath, Vols. 1 & 2” here.
Achieving Excellence.com

Amazon.com

Chili notes (in Germany and Europe) Volume 1   Volume 2

If you have any specific questions or comments on breathing and posture, send me e-mail and I’ll try to respond in a future blog. Until then, breathe life into your music!

Hello Readers,

I'd like to introduce you to "The Breathing Book," by David Vining, Professor of Trombone at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona (you may remember David from his rib movement video from a previous post).

    The Breathing Book is both a text book and a method book. Each chapter contains an image and description on     the left page and a playing activity on the right. The playing activity is specially designed to help players     integrate the information from that chapter into their playing in musically meaningful ways. The Breathing Book     can be used as a daily breathing warm-up by selecting a few chapters to play. It can also be used to solve other     playing problems, such as articulation, range and endurance because when your breathing improves, everything     else tends to fall into place!

Just as the description says, this book serves as a very useful tool in teaching about breathing along with practical applications for brass players. I've found that the book works very well in tandem with my lessons, "Dynamic Stability & Breath," adding exercises done with (and without) the instrument to clarify and reinforce the learning from the Feldenkrais lessons. Since receiving the book, I've used the materials for myself, my students and in the trombone choir with very good results.

David also has a publishing company called "Mountain Peak Music" with some very valuable materials for brass players. I will review more of his material in the future and for now say, "thank you David," for filling in some very important gaps for all of us.

Thanks for reading!

Be sure to check out the DMS podcasts, Feldenkrais mini lessons for musicians and speakers.
From iTunes

You can purchase the “Dynamic Musician Series: Dynamic Stability and Breath, Vols. 1 & 2” here.
Achieving Excellence.com

Amazon.com

Chili notes (in Germany and Europe) Volume 1   Volume 2

If you have any specific questions or comments on breathing and posture, send me e-mail and I’ll try to respond in a future blog. Until then, breathe well!

For those of you wanting to make it big, I just received this e-mail.

"Hi John:

I thought my new website might be of interest to you and your readers. All free, no gimmicks. Any questions I'd be happy to answer them. Thank you, Glenn"

http://SongGIG.com

--
Thank you.
The SongGIG Team.

Hello Breathers,

Just the other day, I heard about a fellow trombonist's blog called "The Breathing Blog." Being curious I stared poking around and found this video on the importance of rib movement.

"Ribs are designed to move by virtue of their attachment to the sternum via the costal cartilage and their attachment to the spine via joints. The costal cartilage is spongy and flexible, allowing the ribs to swing up and out. In fact, when the ribs swing up and out upon inhalation, they twist the cartilage, storing energy in the cartilage. When we exhale, the energy is released, in a phenomenon known as elastic recoil."

In my work with musicians in my Feldenkrais Practice, I often run across clients who keep their chests still while they breathe. There is an insidious myth among some teacher that in order to "breathe properly, one should only breathe in the abdominal cavity" and to keep the chest still. This can cause a myriad of problems including limiting lung capacity, soreness in the neck and shoulders and even problems with hands and arms. The lessons in the DMS deal with rib movement so I'm glad to see that there are others out there spreading good information.

Here's the link.

Thanks David

Thanks for reading!

Be sure to check out the DMS podcasts, Feldenkrais mini lessons for musicians and speakers.
From iTunes

You can purchase the “Dynamic Musician Series: Dynamic Stability and Breath, Vols. 1 & 2” here.
Achieving Excellence.com

Amazon.com

Chili notes (in Germany and Europe) Volume 1   Volume 2

If you have any specific questions or comments on breathing and posture, send me e-mail and I’ll try to respond in a future blog. Until then, breathe well!

Here's a quote from one of the participants in my Monday evening Feldenkrais Method, Awareness Through Movement class:


"Dear John,

I and especially my neck and upper back appreciated the work from yesterday very much. My head is able to move more easily, without pain and with a bigger radius. It would be great to continue with this kind of work. It is as if also my creativity and energy has got a push, not stuck any more. Thanks.
Have a nice day and warm regards"
C. K.
 
Of course I am pleased to hear that her neck is feeling better but what really interests me is the part about feeling more creative. This is one of the most interesting aspects of the Feldenkrais Method and if you've read my article, "Moving into Deep Practice," you will better understand what I'm talking about.

To briefly explain how this connection works, it's important to understand that all of our thoughts, feelings and emotions are expressed through movement* in some manner. Often, you can tell when someone looks happy or sad. How do you know this? If a person is smiling, that's movement and often there is a reflection of their emotional state in the way they stand and/or walk. If your feeling state effects how you move, then changing your movement can change your feeling/thinking state. That’s the beauty of the Feldenkrais Method.

In C. K.'s case, I wonder if the creativity block was expressed physically in her neck or if she felt blocked because of her neck being stiff? Well, I'll let you ponder that question and feel free to post comments.

*Movement can also mean muscle activity like holding parts of your body stiff. Of course that’s not “movement” per se, but rather muscle activity.

Thanks for reading (and listening)!

Be sure to check out the DMS podcasts, Feldenkrais mini lessons for musicians and speakers.
From iTunes

You can purchase the “Dynamic Musician Series: Dynamic Stability and Breath, Vols. 1 & 2” here.
Achieving Excellence.com

Amazon.com

Chili notes (in Germany and Europe) Volume 1   Volume 2

If you have any specific questions or comments on breathing and posture, send me e-mail and I’ll try to respond in a future blog. Until then, breathe well!

In producer/director Irene Gutteridge’s words:

via www.janetlansbury.com

Here's a nice and light hearted example of moving into deep practice. It's about 3'20" and fun to watch.

Enjoy, John

As some of you may have read, I reviewed the ERGObrass, "ERGObone" a couple of issues ago. My thoughts about the device were inconclusive so I left it in the corner. Just recently, I acquired a bass trumpet, which I enjoy playing very much but really feel the weight. Not only is the bass trumpet heavier than my trombone, all the weight is in front and most of it rests on my left index finger. After a few minutes, I have to put the instrument down to rest my hands, which are also having to learn to work the valves and tuning slide. Seeking relief, I went back to the ERGObrass website to see what they had. The trumpet model looked more manageable than the trombone model so I contacted Jouko Antere, creator of the ERGObrass system and ordered a unit for the bass trumpet.

In the meantime, I've been searching for more information and others opinions on the matter. It does seem as if there is a need to reduce the burden of holding heavy brass instruments, especially now that they are getting heavier. Jouko mentioned that thee is research being done in Wales regarding tension from holding the instrument and breathing efficiency. I'm looking forward to learning more and will pass on further information when I get it.

For now, I'll eagerly await the arrival of the ERGObrass and will write more about it after I've had the chance to test it out.

All the best,

John

Be sure to check out the DMS podcasts, Feldenkrais mini lessons for musicians and speakers.
From iTunes

You can purchase the “Dynamic Musician Series: Dynamic Stability and Breath, Vols. 1 & 2” here.
Achieving Excellence.com

Amazon.com

Chili notes (in Germany and Europe) Volume 1   Volume 2

If you have any specific questions or comments on breathing and posture, send me e-mail and I’ll try to respond in a future blog. Until then, breathe well!

In getting ready for my upcoming workshop in Denver, Colorado, I'm posting an article that describes what I mean when I talk about the Feldenkrais Method and deep practice. Additionally, I've recorded the Awareness Through Movement lesson, which is also written in the article. This way, you have the choice of reading and doing the lesson or listening to it. As I write in the article, this is one of the greatest applications of the FM for musicians.

Here's the article in PDF format:

 Download Moving into Deep Practice final

Here's the audio portion:

Moving into Deep Practice

Thanks for reading (and listening)!

Be sure to check out the DMS podcasts, Feldenkrais mini lessons for musicians and speakers.
From iTunes

You can purchase the “Dynamic Musician Series: Dynamic Stability and Breath, Vols. 1 & 2” here.
Achieving Excellence.com

Amazon.com

Chili notes (in Germany and Europe) Volume 1   Volume 2

If you have any specific questions or comments on breathing and posture, send me e-mail and I’ll try to respond in a future blog. Until then, breathe well!

Hello Colorado Readers,

 I'll be doing a workshop in Denver on March 6th, 2011.

 Here's the info:

Hope to see/meet you there,

John

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New Ways to Improve your Practicing
A workshop for Musicians


-Learn to practice in ways that are more fulfilling, enjoyable, and effective!

-Have strategies and tools to take your playing to the next level!

-Experience better posture, ease, and support while playing and performing!

Taught by John Tarr, we will learn to embody the principles from Deep Practice (based upon the book The Talent Code) along with movement explorations derived from the Feldenkrais Method®. 

Date: Sunday, March 6th
Time:  2:30 p.m. 5 p.m.
Location: Denver South SDA Church, 2675 South Downing St., Denver, CO 80210.
Cost: $45

Registration:  Call Andrew Tarr:  303-345-5777.
Email: tarr.andrew@gmail.com

John Tarr, B. M., M. M. in trombone performance and Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, has taught workshops for musicians in Europe and the United States, and is author of the “The Dynamic Musician Series: Dynamic Stability and Breath, Vols. 1 &2. His particular interest lies in utilizing somatic awareness to enhance musical performance. Mr. Tarr also teaches as an assistant trainer in International Feldenkrais Teacher Training Program, and coaching trainings.  You can read more about the work at:   www.dynamicmusician.com

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Thanks for reading!

Be sure to check out the DMS podcasts, Feldenkrais mini lessons for musicians and speakers.
From iTunes

You can purchase the “Dynamic Musician Series: Dynamic Stability and Breath, Vols. 1 & 2” here.
Achieving Excellence.com

Amazon.com

Chili notes (in Germany and Europe) Volume 1   Volume 2

If you have any specific questions or comments on breathing and posture, send me e-mail and I’ll try to respond in a future blog. Until then, breathe well!