Posture, hold and freedom of movement
- Maintain an appropriate balanced and relaxed posture, both sitting and standing:
- holding the instrument with ease in an appropriate manner
- developing stamina to play for longer periods of time as range of notes increases and demands of dynamics intensifies.
Continue to encourage learners to evaluate their posture and make necessary adjustments with independence
French horn players should now be playing with an established right hand position with consistency and developing their awareness of techniques such as hand stopping.
Demonstrate to learners the difference between positive and negative body language when performing.
The teacher/other learners can act as audience.
Encourage learners to observe themselves and others performing, noting the effects of posture on communication.
The aim is to encourage learners to play beyond the music stand.
An occasional lesson in a large space can help to encourage projection.
Encourage learners to attend live performances where possible, and/or watch live performances online.
Discuss with learners how to convey musical intentions through posture, e.g. starting an ensemble performance, indicating a tempo change in an ensemble or to an accompanist.
Ask learners to look for convenient points in the music where they can counteract any accumulated tension by consciously relaxing.
Points identified in Programmes of Study 1, 2 and 3 should continue to apply in Programme of Study 4. In addition, when teaching children, account should be taken of learners’ continuing growth, making sure that their posture remains appropriate and gradually reducing compromise, e.g. ensure correct hand position in the bell of the French horn.
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