How to (take a) bow? [Serious]

[throwawaynotreally]

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[visitor]

i love performing / recitaling, etc. i tend to take a litter relaxed approach, but will bow a little differently depending on venue, crowd, pieces, or how i did and feel. i stand in front of the bench, i play one hand on the music desk, the other at my side and slightly to the front so me hand rests on my front thigh. i bend close to 90. as for timing so you doon't rush or linger, best to look at your feet, and say

"are my shoes tied? yes they are" to your self , then come back up. smile before during and after and as you exit.

[quantum]

Say to yourself while taking the bow: "Have I shined my shoes?  Yes, I have shined my shoes."  Look at your shoes as you do this.  If you pop back up before you can finish saying the phrase, the bow is too quick.

I know some professional musicians that take the position: the audience can't stand my playing, I need to get out of here as quickly as possible.  Guess what the performer looks like when they embody those thoughts.  Have a good attitude as you play and when you take your bows, and learn to laugh no matter what happens.

[throwawaynotreally]

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[erick86]

[quote:quantum]Say to yourself while taking the bow: "Have I shined my shoes?  Yes, I have shined my shoes."  Look at your shoes as you do this.  If you pop back up before you can finish saying the phrase, the bow is too quick.[/quote]

I had funny a mental picture of a calm smiling confident performer bowing slowly with grace, but then after seeing that his/her shoes were not shined, they rose back to upright position with a horrified look on their face. 

This is an interesting topic!  I find it fascinating that there are direct parallels to piano performance itself.  Not only does your playing need to look and feel effortless, graceful, and controlled, but so does the acknowledgement of the audience. 

Something I certainly need to work on.  It is the 'last word' of the performance.  Like the other fellow mentioned, if you leave your audience with an awkward rushed bow, that is the feeling your audience will leave with.  Finding the right amount of time to linger etc. is just like having to find the right amount of time to linger on the ending of some grand romantic piece.  Not too slow, not to fast, but just right. 

Comfortable.  Ease.  Confidence.  Control.  Grace.  Those are words I want to be saying to myself and the type of presence I want to be exuding when I bow. 

It's hard to get opportunities to practice it under pressure though... when it counts.


Eric