Ballerina vs flute posture

[Flute_star3]

Okay, so I recently started taking a beginning ballet class and have gotten a lot of tips on ballerina posture which includes stretching the spine up pulling down on the shoulders, and lastly, engaging the abdominal muscles and rolling the lower end of your tail bone in and the actual hip bones up and in so that your butt doesn't stick out as much. Does that make sense? I'm wondering if the positioning of the tail bone would be good for playing the flute when standing as well. Hopefully one of you has had some ballet experience and will know what I am talking about.

[flutepicc06]

Okay, so I recently started taking a beginning ballet class and have gotten a lot of tips on ballerina posture which includes stretching the spine up pulling down on the shoulders, and lastly, engaging the abdominal muscles and rolling the lower end of your tail bone in and the actual hip bones up and in so that your butt doesn't stick out as much. Does that make sense? I'm wondering if the positioning of the tail bone would be good for playing the flute when standing as well. Hopefully one of you has had some ballet experience and will know what I am talking about.

I don't have any ballet experience, but generally whatever position you're most relaxed in is the one you should be playing in. The position you described above sounds like it would introduce a lot of unnecessary tension into the body (at least it did when I tried it myself, though I may have been missing some things since I'm no ballet pro). In any case, give it a shot for a couple of days and see what you think...If you notice an improvement, stick with it. If not, then don't worry about it.

[dayz]

I don't have any ballet experience either, but I believe practicing good posture while playing the flute is an important aspect of playing. By concentrating on extending the spine and lowering the shoulders, I believe you create a more open passage way for air to travel to and from the lungs.

At first your muscles may hate you for it, if your not used to good posture. But your body will love you for it in the years to come, and you will find your air capacity and even your tone will improve by developing strong support with your body.

[fluteguy18]

At first your muscles may hate you for it, if your not used to good posture. But your body will love you for it in the years to come

This is usually because "good posture" is often the opposite of what someone actually needs to be doing. If your back muscles hurt, then you are holding yourself up by using your muscles. This should not be so. If you are lining you spine up correctly, it should take little to no effort at all to sit up in good position. So, chances are, are that when you start by trying to sit with "good posture" you are holding yourself up with your muscles, then you slowly change the way you sit, and eventually find the way your spine lines up.

I highly recommend reading "Body Mapping for Flutists". I can't remember the author, but you can get a copy on fluteworld. It is quite excellent, and provides MANY excercises to help you play in the most comfortable and ergonomic position. The way body mapping works, is by understanding your anatomy, the way it is supposed to work together naturally, then applying that knowledge. So, while these things may not be "ballet appropriate" they definately help you play comfortably.

[Flute_star3]

Thanks a lot everyone! Fluteguy, I will definitely check that book out.

[Cooeyflute]

I have been doing ballet for 6 years and flute for 4 and a bit years. Ballet posture is an extreme posture and i wouldn't recommend the 'top and tail' part of it but standing as tall as you can will make it easier to breathe deeply, but you have to be careful that your stomach muscles don't hinder your breathing. Basically, do what you feel comfortable with.

[BandChiqua]

I am a figure skater, and posture is definitely important on the ice I play the clarinet (I'm hoping to double with the flute) and found that sitting up straight with my shoulders back like I do on the ice definitely opens my airway up more and makes it easier to play.

[Flute_star3]

That's exactly what I was wondering CooeyFlute. Thanks!