Theories and Practices of Somatics and Their Application to Flute Players

Doctoral student: Vytenis Gurstis
Supervisors: Prof. Valentinas Gelgotas, Prof. Dr. Audronė Žiūraitytė
Department: Winds and Percussion
Intended duration: 2016–2020

Abstract

Vytenis Gurstis

The term somatics was coined by philosopher Thomas Hanna (1928–1990, USA) in the 1970s. The Greek word soma is translated as “body”, but in Hanna’s book Bodies in Revolt: A Primer in Somatic Thinking (1970: 35) it was re interpreted to mean „body as perceived from within“.

The body-mind connection has fascinated many for centuries. Thousand-year-old Eastern philosophies and practices such as yoga, meditation and martial arts have paved mindsets and guidelines for modern concepts, notably the Alexander Technique and the Feldenkrais Method. The purpose of these techniques is not only to treat injury and physical discomfort, but to educate subjects on how their thoughts influence their physiology and discovering the most efficient way to use their body. Many theories have been quickly assimilated by various professional groups: medics, psychologists, dancers, sportspeople and musicians. The latter are sometimes called “athletes of small muscles” as their body-use is most important in attaining a good result (it’s especially prominent with singers and wind players). Material for Somatic techniques and practices isinfinite: neuropsychologists, medical researchers and artists themselves keep discovering new ways to further the understanding of the human body, the effects of neuroimpulses on coordination and in forming new habits and skills.

The present artistic research project focuses on the influences of the mind, emotion and thought on performer’s physiology. The concert flute, even though “transverse”, is actually held diagonally in front of the player, rather than horizontally, with the head turned slightly to the left. This creates an off-set and asymmetrical posture which requires a systematic understanding of the interplay of various body parts involved in standing up, balance, holding the instrument and playing. The objective of the project is to create a thorough guideline system of playing the flute, based on the correct principles of body design and modern Somatics techniques, which would help flute players avoid trauma, practice and perform efficiently and maximise their musical and technical potential.