Watch the Face

Jerryc41

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When I play in a group, I like to observe the faces of people as they play. Most people take on a certain look when the play, and I find it interesting and sometimes amusing. Barry Maz always turns his lips inward. Look at the end of this video where the reviewer plays the Bruko. Notice the expression on his fce and his head movement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCdBP-FjMhc

About the 7:33 point -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeQHJRFL_HA
 
When I play in a group, I like to observe the faces of people as they play. Most people take on a certain look when the play, and I find it interesting and sometimes amusing. Barry Maz always turns his lips inward. Look at the end of this video where the reviewer plays the Bruko. Notice the expression on his fce and his head movement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCdBP-FjMhc

About the 7:33 point -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeQHJRFL_HA
Is that the secret to playing like that. I am working on lip position as I type this. My wife swears that tongue p;position is critical when painting, she is quite the accomplished artist, so now I know the secret of playing the uke. And all this time I thought it was practice and work.
 
Is that the secret to playing like that. I am working on lip position as I type this. My wife swears that tongue p;position is critical when painting, she is quite the accomplished artist, so now I know the secret of playing the uke. And all this time I thought it was practice and work.

There must be something to that lip/tongue theory because you see it everywhere. : )
 
I've always had dogs, and some breeds don't have very many facial expressions. My pugs do, but my dachshund doesn't. Of course, they don't play either the ukulele or basketball. They're good eaters and sleepers, though.

A shout out to a fellow dachshund lover!
 
If the pursed lips should be cultivated as an aid to concentration and better technique, then the F-face, with the upper lip tensed, showing the teeth pressed down on the lower lip, must promote even greater concentration and playing excellence. And here I've been focusing on patterns and ergonomics instead of on my facial contortions, silly me. I should enroll in the Joe Cocker School for the Performing Arts, and learn to strum the Britney Spears way. I might not play any better, but perhaps people would take me more seriously as a performer.
At least when performing, there is a stage presence that is a part of the performance. Grimacing or making faces, or hunching one's shoulders when one is flying through a riff is much more entertaining than someone stoically going through the motions, no matter how well they go through the motions. A bit of emotion added to the mix goes a long way in connecting with the listener. That's why people pay the big bucks to watch someone live in concert.
 
At least when performing, there is a stage presence that is a part of the performance. Grimacing or making faces, or hunching one's shoulders when one is flying through a riff is much more entertaining than someone stoically going through the motions, no matter how well they go through the motions. A bit of emotion added to the mix goes a long way in connecting with the listener. That's why people pay the big bucks to watch someone live in concert.

I agree. I think the people in the video are caught up in what they're doing. I believe it's more emotion than act. I'm just the opposite, and I have to work on being more animated when I play.
 
I knew a guy years ago, who was an accomplished steel guitar player, when he took off on a solo, you could see his tongue in his cheek, moving around. I'm pretty sure I make some kind of face when I'm playing bass and into the groove...
 
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