-
This is a tricky one. Not unheard of – and you’d be surprised to find out how often folks experience this, particularly among professional orchestral players. It’s tough to work on this in the practice room when there’s nothing at stake. But an approach that seems to help is to identify low-stakes performance-like situations in which to let go and risk bow shakes, crunches, etc. for the sake of building up the courage to let go. And as you start developing a comfort level in low-pressure situations, to keep expanding your comfort zone by taking greater risks.
Focusing on releasing tension often results in more tension. That might be different than trying to remember a time when you were loose and free, and just doing that. Is the distinction clear? Trying to release tension vs. playing as if you were free and loose as in a previous memory is the difference between striving and being, if that makes any sense.
You will also probably find that focusing less on the muscles, and more on shaping the phrase and creating the kind of sound you want takes your mind of the tension, and loosens things up anyway. You’ll find more about this in the focus module if you haven’t gotten there already.
Hope this gives you some ideas to try!
