How do I play with feeling without looking like a complete moron?

[ranniks]

Amoen (my name) plays Bach Prelude in C Major sitting straight, no movement, maybe slight heade movement

Feeling: 0-1%

Amoen plays BPC swaying like a moron

Feeling: Overdrive 100%

I want to be able to play like horowitzz and not like some person swaying around......That's something I can't stand either.

I was thinking maybe of practising it away, but I'm not really sure how? It is a somewhat long piece for a beginner like myself and I get distracted while playing (e.g. my fingers are playing the notes but my head is somewhere else).

Would love some help if possible.

[outin]

Well, I hope someone can answer, because I have the same problem...sitting still is very difficult. If I for a moment forget about stressing over my playing and start enjoying the music or the sounds I make I start swaying and look ridiculous...
It's really annoying 

[ranniks]

Well, I hope someone can answer, because I have the same problem...sitting still is very difficult. If I for a moment forget about stressing over my playing and start enjoying the music or the sounds I make I start swaying and look ridiculous...
It's really annoying 

That feeling is good, the part where the piano is making sounds God would hopefully enjoy, but the swaying is just annoying. I tried sitting still and thinking of a fantasy place in my head and it worked slightly, but I need to train my concentration.

This was my fantasy world while playing bpc/menuet: a ball in the 16/17 century with dresses and a large room with me providing the music and the dancers dancing to my piano.

W

[quantum]

IMO, I think it is ridiculous to suppress a natural physical reaction when playing music.  People studying dance seek to explore this connection between the aural sensation and physical movement.  Several of my university profs used whole body movement away from the instrument to help teach and solidify musical and theoretical concepts.  If you naturally move when you play, let it be. 

[hfmadopter]

Even Horowitz in his later years would let loose with a little head bobbing and maybe a raised eyebrow, be that very restrained. The key is moderation, keep it under control, let the expression go into the keys not all over the piano bench. Even at that you should hold back slightly, even Horowitz in mid life had to play with a touch of reserve. He put his critics on edge otherwise, saying at times he seemed as though his performance was going to fall apart ! One such time was his White House playing of the Chopin Funeral March at mid recital, he let his emotions go on that one and  didn't fumble but you can clearly see that he kind of startled himself and next time through that passage he was more in control..

The more you play and if you ever entertain someone along the way ( perform), you will learn restaint, just that touch of reserve. Every single time I give it absolutely all I have, I blow it ! Of course, cause it leaves no room for error. One thing is to over learn, work it up beyond where it needs to be, then play it to a lesser degree, what ever it is. And if you are going to play so strong that you blow it, do it at home or in practice.

Finally, who says you look like a moron ? It could be just your own new sensation and personal vision of yourself. Music brings out things we haven't experienced before sometimes.

[j_menz]

It is a somewhat long piece for a beginner like myself and I get distracted while playing (e.g. my fingers are playing the notes but my head is somewhere else).

You need to learn to focus on what you are playing, and on expressing emotion through your playing rather than through your body movements or facial expressions.

It is about concentrating your whole energy through the music.

It takes time to deveolp that, so don't worry about a bit of odd movement in the meantime.

[bronnestam]

I wouldn't care at all. Pianists that look "funny" are just entertaining, the audience love them. To watch someone who gets so overwhelmed by the moment and the music that (s)he completely forgets about "keeping a straight face" (or whatever) is inspiring and charming. If I want to watch cool people with poker faces I go to a night club.

So be proud of looking like a moron. You are not Horowitz. you are YOU, now be generous and show your audience how you feel.