Day 5

Keep Your Head Up

I’ve got a quick but powerful tip for you today – perfect for a busy weekend in December!

Think about your posture for a moment. How are you sitting or standing right now as you read this? Are your shoulders hunched forward? Is your head tilted down toward your screen? Have you got your legs crossed, or are you leaning to one side?

Here’s something I notice constantly when I’m examining: BAD POSTURE. Learners lean forward toward their instruments, especially when sight-reading or playing a challenging passage. It seems instinctive, doesn’t it? The music gets hard, so we lean in as if getting closer will somehow make it easier.

But here’s the problem – when you lean forward, you compromise everything. Your breathing becomes shallow, tension creeps into your shoulders and neck, and your movement becomes restricted. All of this makes playing harder, not easier.

I learned this tip from my years playing in the Territorial Army band. On parade, keeping your head up and forward isn’t optional – it’s essential. And you know what? It made me a better musician.

Today’s Task (Practice this throughout the day – takes seconds):

Today, I want you to practice one simple thing: Keep your head up and forward.

When you play louder – keep your head up. When you play softer – keep your head up. When you practice that tricky passage – keep your head up.

Set a reminder on your phone that goes off every hour today. When it beeps, check your posture. Where’s your head? Are you leaning forward? Gently bring yourself back to a balanced, upright position.

For advanced players: Record yourself playing a piece you know well. Watch it back and observe your posture throughout. Do you lean in at certain points? Make a note of where this happens, then practice those sections specifically with awareness of keeping your head up and forward. You’ll be surprised how much lighter and more balanced you feel.

This might seem almost too simple, but I promise you – this one adjustment can transform your playing. When your head is balanced and forward, tension melts away. You can breathe more freely. Your tone improves. Everything becomes easier.

Try it today, and notice the difference! Fiona