The facial expressions musicians show when playing may seem strange or exaggerated to an outsider, but all that gurning might actually serve a purpose.
Firstly, playing a musical instrument usually requires intense focus and concentration. Musicians often enter a state of ‘flow’, where they become completely absorbed in the music they’re creating.
These facial expressions can be a manifestation of the intense emotions and physical exertion that go hand-in-hand with musical performance. They’re often subconscious – in fact, many of us will pull weird faces when we’re deeply involved in an activity we care about.
Facial expressions can also help musicians communicate emotions and artistic expression. Musicians often use their facial expressions to convey the mood and interpretation of the music they’re playing, which creates a more immersive and captivating musical experience. While making facial expressions may not directly make someone a better musician, they might contribute to the overall artistry and interpretation of the music.
Performing live music is also a rather nerve-racking experience, so it could also be that the performer is expressing those nerves through their face – furrowed brows and clenched teeth, for example.
Finally, making facial expressions can also have a physiological impact on the musician’s performance. Some research suggests that certain facial movements can activate specific muscles and potentially improve muscle coordination, particularly in activities involving fine motor skills, such as playing an instrument.
However, it’s important to note that this relationship is still not well understood, and the extent to which facial expressions directly impact musical proficiency is a subject of ongoing investigation.
Read more:
- Mascara mouth: Here’s why you pull that face when applying make-up
- 10 fascinating things your face says about you
- Furious faces: how our angry expressions evolved
- When we smile, why do we only bare our teeth when we know the person well?
Asked by: Donald Hodges, via email
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