Comments on: Music + Body Language = More Excitement

By: Dale

Dale — Sun, 03 May 2009 21:44:49 +0000

I enjoyed reading this. Especially the comments. It's always good to get a perspective from other musicians. I'm a jazz pianist. And when I'm playing, I too go through various facial expressions and body movements. However, I don't do it intentionally. It just happens when I'm "locked in the groove" With that being said: when playing a particular song you're not so fond of; or sessioning for a band who's style is not your particular cup of tea - where you just find it hard to get into that groove - Must one 'act out' fake facial expressions and body language for a better effect for the audience? If so, can this be practised?

By: Jeremy (PsyBlog author)

Jeremy (PsyBlog author) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:51:00 +0000

Thanks for your comment Justin. It's true, it is fantastic when musicians really engage with the music rather than treating it like just another day on the job.

By: Justin Wisness Blog

Justin Wisness Blog — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:49:00 +0000

I once heard a choir conductor say that the greatest performers in the world open their soul to an audience. I think this is true whether it's playing an instrument or singing. Addressing Will's point about instrumentalists...I recently went to the Seattle Symphony and saw a the Mozart Requiem and a clarinet concerto by Mozart. I could not believe how musical the clarinetist was. He physically moved with the phrasing, his body was so engaged and he communicated with the conductor. It was awesome (especially for a clarinet concerto!). As a singer and conductor, I'm always impressed when an instrumentalist inspires his or her audience with not only their playing, but also showing their passion for playing.

By: Jeremy (PsyBlog author)

Jeremy (PsyBlog author) — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 11:17:00 +0000

Will, sounds highly plausible - perhaps you're being too cautious?

Also, I hadn't heard that 'plural of anecdote' one before - very good!

By: Will

Will — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 14:20:00 +0000

As a sax player, I'd be interested to see how this applies to instruments where the face is partially (or fully?) obscured. I'd say that in spite of the fact that my mouth is pretty well locked in place that the rest of my face goes through some interesting expressions when I'm really playing hard, and I think that the audience does respond to that. It seems like they especially like it when I close my eyes - maybe the more I concentrate on what I'm doing, the more they like it. I think they also respond to other body language that I present, like bending over, or stomping my feet when playing something particularly intense.

Of course, my playing has less discrete meaning than a set of song lyrics do, but I still think that the emotional message is largely retained intact.

Of course I can only speak to my experience! I know that the plural of "anecdote" is not data. Further study is called for.

By: Jeremy (PsyBlog author)

Jeremy (PsyBlog author) — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 21:46:00 +0000

GLS, good point about Michael Jackson!

Chris, yes, I think in the past dvds of performances tended to be seen as a bit pointless. As you say though, it's great to see some of the guys performing. Good luck with getting hold of it...

By: Chris Hutchins

Chris Hutchins — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 20:51:00 +0000

One of the most fascinating performers to me is John Mayer. It would be interesting to know if his music became popular before or after his relatively few video performances.

I have a copy of the album "Neck and Neck" by Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler. It is one of the most enjoyable albums I think I've ever heard. I often wish I could see them as they play, in fact, I've searched the Internet a number of times hoping to find a dvd of this performance.

By: GoingLikeSixty.com

GoingLikeSixty.com — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 13:40:00 +0000

Interesting! I love watching guitarists (and similar instruments) and their facial movements, it's like they are singing what they are playing - not words but the notes.
BTW: Michael Jackson's face wouldn't move now if you set his feet on fire.