Chapter 4 (sample text)
On the Leg, or Off?
Whether to rest the bell of the horn on the leg or hold it up off the leg when sitting might seem to be a question of technique, but really it is in the larger realm of good body use choices.
The true determining factors are torso length and chair height. Our goal ought to be to bring the horn to us, not to mould, bend or contort ourselves to the horn. The hope is, that after playing around with the information in this chapter, you will be persuaded to experience the benefits of playing your horn off the leg.
Except for the youngest players, the weight and size of the horn is not the issue. When we experience a buoyant, whole body balance, holding the horn off the leg is easy. The weight of the instrument is transferred by the dynamic organization of our bones and connective tissue down through our sit bones into the chair, into the floor. When we are not balanced to begin with, extra muscular effort is required just to keep ourselves upright. Add the weight of the horn held up off the leg on top of this extra effort and often the incorrect conclusion is that the horn is “heavy.” Restore balance to more correctly perceive the true weight of the horn, usually lighter than you thought. . . .