V.com weekend vote: Do you make faces when you perform?
"You make such funny faces onstage!"
This was an early review of my playing from my family. It was true, when I was a kid, I grimaced and made all kinds of funny faces that I could not control when I performed!
My early faces were largely involuntary, but as I got older and more experienced, I learned to control that better (save for the occasional "D'oh!" face!). I also learned that it's possible for facial expressions to channel musical feelings, rather than channeling feelings about one's performance.
Many performers are quite good at this - they make expressive faces that reflect the moment in the music - peaceful, boisterous, mischievous. When the face is in harmony with the music, it can signal what is going on and enhance the performance. Of course, also sometimes people find that to be too much.
Do you find yourself making faces while performing? Do they feel controlled, or not so much? How do you feel about watching a performer who makes faces? Please participate in the vote and then share your thoughts in the comments.
You might also like:
- Discussion: The psychology of making faces when making a mistake
- Discussion: Facial expressions and how to control them
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My face always looks angry when I play, every since I was a child. I think it's much less now though.
Personally, instead of making faces, I'd rather be facing basses.
I sniff, I'm told.
Orchestral survival tip; if you make a bad mistake look at someone else.
When I was a Mariachi fiddler, I gained the nickname of "La Foca", "the Seal", because I always looked half-asleep and droopy.
One never knows one's own face during real performances.
While we're on the subject, there's a professional violist (female) who is extremely animated when performing in an ensemble situation. I forget her name. Anyone know who I'm referring to?
Updated - answered my own question: Carrie Dennis
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-dec-12-la-ca-carrie-dennis-20101212-story.html
Sander - surely "facing masses"? Or "faking maces"..?
Come on, Sander and Steve, admit it - we fake EVERYTHING! (though it's not quite so easy when you're playing as a soloist).
I dare say I could even fake funny faces - even if I needed to!
Was Beethoven faking when he wrote his Owed To Joy?
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August 4, 2024 at 05:29 AM · I also grunt