Piano Forum

Piano Board => Performance => Topic started by: Legato on June 11, 2004, 07:01:06 PM

Title: The Proper Way to Bow?
Post by: Legato on June 11, 2004, 07:01:06 PM

I was taught to stand up straight with my arms at my sides and bend forward from the torso, keeping my back straight and arms along the side of my body.  Things to avoid would be putting your hands on your belly or just tipping your head forward in a nodding fashion.

Is this with what others do?  I’m anticipating a lengthy reply from Bernhard on the history of bowing and how it relates to tai chi.  ;)

Title: Re: The Proper Way to Bow?
Post by: newsgroupeuan on June 11, 2004, 07:27:55 PM

Quote

I was taught to stand up straight with my arms at my sides and bend forward from the torso, keeping my back straight and arms along the side of my body.  Things to avoid would be putting your hands on your belly or just tipping your head forward in a nodding fashion.

Is this with what others do?  I’m anticipating a lengthy reply from Bernhard on the history of bowing and how it relates to tai chi.  ;)

Have a look here:

https://www.pianoforum.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=perf;action=display;num=1080815234;start=9

Best wishes,
Euan.






(Who here thought it was Bernhard?  ;D)

Title: Re: The Proper Way to Bow?
Post by: Saturn on June 11, 2004, 07:37:20 PM

Many people look at the bow as merely a performance ritual, something you do out of tradition.  However, its purpose is to communicate three main things:

1) To greet the audience
2) Submission - "I am at your service"
3) Gratitude to the audience for attending the performance, appreciating the music, applauding, etc.

So, however you bow, it should communicate these things.  Try looking up some info on bowing in Japanese culture.  Even if not all of it is useful to know for a music performance, it's still interesting to learn and may help you attach some significance to it.

- Saturn

Title: Re: The Proper Way to Bow?
Post by: f0bul0us on June 12, 2004, 12:55:24 AM

Quote

Have a look here:

https://www.pianoforum.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=perf;action=display;num=1080815234;start=9

Best wishes,
Euan.

How to properly bow? Are you kidding? ::)

Title: Re: The Proper Way to Bow?
Post by: Legato on June 12, 2004, 05:24:26 AM

Thanks for the replies (and links).  I really like the ideas that Saturn put forth.  Next time I bow I'll keep in mind: submission and gratitude...

Rob

Title: Re: The Proper Way to Bow?
Post by: newsgroupeuan on June 12, 2004, 11:12:41 AM

Quote

How to properly bow? Are you kidding? ::)

Blast! all for nothing.... :'( wrong link