http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/2009/08/moment-of-poise/ classical guitar lessons, tips, tricks and interviews Sun, 14 Mar 2010 02:43:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/2009/08/moment-of-poise/comment-page-1/#comment-1203 Ricky Sharples Wed, 12 Aug 2009 23:37:05 +0000 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/?p=1970#comment-1203 I'm reminded of a performance by Charlie Byrd in Sydney in the early '70's. To showcase his classical guitar chops he played Spanish Dance No. 5 by Granados. The sliding bass intro went fine but the first bar of the melody was nothing but phut..phut..phut. His moment of poise never wavered. I’m reminded of a performance by Charlie Byrd in Sydney in the early ’70’s. To showcase his classical guitar chops he played Spanish Dance No. 5 by Granados. The sliding bass intro went fine but the first bar of the melody was nothing but phut..phut..phut. His moment of poise never wavered.

]]> http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/2009/08/moment-of-poise/comment-page-1/#comment-1184 S. Element Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:10:09 +0000 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/?p=1970#comment-1184 That moment of poise - an excellent description, by the way - is something I've always respected when seeing other performers play. Personally, that's the moment when I most easily fall apart. It's that point when it's hard NOT to remind yourself that you've got only one shot to open the performance solidly. And, if you execute the poise moment well, you'll can fully capture the audience's attention. That's a terrifying thought for anyone who tends to get nervous prior to performing. "What if I botch the opening chord? Why does my right hand suddenly feel like jello? Why are they all _looking_ at me like that?" You're right: the key is to guide your thoughts toward the more productive things that you suggest. In my case, I try to focus on the feel of the instrument in my hands, the familiarity of my body posture. This helps me to clear my head a little and reminds me that yes, I do know how to play this music; I know this instrument. That moment of poise – an excellent description, by the way – is something I’ve always respected when seeing other performers play. Personally, that’s the moment when I most easily fall apart. It’s that point when it’s hard NOT to remind yourself that you’ve got only one shot to open the performance solidly. And, if you execute the poise moment well, you’ll can fully capture the audience’s attention. That’s a terrifying thought for anyone who tends to get nervous prior to performing. “What if I botch the opening chord? Why does my right hand suddenly feel like jello? Why are they all _looking_ at me like that?” You’re right: the key is to guide your thoughts toward the more productive things that you suggest. In my case, I try to focus on the feel of the instrument in my hands, the familiarity of my body posture. This helps me to clear my head a little and reminds me that yes, I do know how to play this music; I know this instrument.

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