Speaking from the point of view of someone who plays several instruments, I know this phenomenon isn’t limited to whistle playing.
Has anyone but me noticed that you play much more expressively when you close your eyes?
I’m not talking a little bit more, I mean very noticably more expressively than with your eyes open… or maybe it’s just me. 
I think it’s because with your eyes closed, the only thing going on in your 3-pound universe is the music, so you are serving the tune instead of trying to impress that cute blonde/brunette/redhead in the third row who has been giving you the eye all evening (as if that has EVER happened to me)!
I agree with you–I usually play better with my eyes closed, especially if I have to play in front of someone.
My late guitar teacher used to roll his eyes and drool instead of closing his eyes.
Mike
On 2002-07-11 10:05, raindog1970 wrote:
Speaking from the point of view of someone who plays several instruments, I know this phenomenon isn’t limited to whistle playing.
Has anyone but me noticed that you play much more expressively when you close your eyes?
I’m not talking a little bit more, I mean very noticably more expressively than with your eyes open… or maybe it’s just me. >
Yes, it lets you focus on your playing and removes the visible distractions. We more freely express our heart if we are not concerned with the audience’s reaction.
I heard an interview with Sam Cook’s stage manager. Sam was told to stop singing with his eyes closed. It looked strange. It would be better to have eye contact with the audience and smile. So, Sam changed his style.
Personally, I like to solo with my eyes closed. For me, it’s all about… vulnerability.
BrassBlower: Be careful! There’s a certain kinda woman out there that likes to collect musicians!
Gary
‘You’re darned tootin!’
It is the same reason people close their eyes to pray.
On 2002-07-11 11:16, Walden wrote:
It is the same reason people close their eyes to pray.
Exactly: to avoid eye contact with that ogling redhead.
Another added benefit of playing with your eyes closed is that it makes it a lot easier to explain the bump on the forehead you got from the microphone or the bruised shins from tripping over the stage monitor (not that this has ever happened to me).
P.S. It’s nice to see I’m not the only Tom Waits fan around.
I always played cl. guitar better that way and was told that by a very great player and teacher.. It was only when I discovered that if I opened em I’d get disoriented and sometimes miss a fret that I had to re-think that style of playing!
I whistle with eyes closed and often remember tunes that I don’t “think” I have yet memorized.
On 2002-07-11 11:19, StevieJ wrote:
On 2002-07-11 11:16, Walden wrote:
It is the same reason people close their eyes to pray.Exactly: to avoid eye contact with that ogling redhead.
Well, certain televangelists have that reason anyway.
When I play electric guitar, I always found that chewing gum really helps for some reason. I haven’t tried this with whistle for obvious reasons.
I think it’s bad style when people close their eyes in a session and miss the universal-raising-of-the-foot signal.
I usually only close my eyes when the distractions get bad, like one fiddler trying to teach another the Longford Collector while I am singing a song, or a Boehm-flute player sitting next to me trying to learn a slow air while I am playing it (and I am NOT making this up).
Ok..now I feel sheepish…
I thought I was the only one who oogled while everyone else’s eyes were closed
On 2002-07-11 11:19, StevieJ wrote:
On 2002-07-11 11:16, Walden wrote:
It is the same reason people close their eyes to pray.Exactly: to avoid eye contact with that ogling redhead.
On topic, I tend to close my eyes during some parts of slow airs…as others have mentioned. it helps me to block out distractions and focus on the music. Likewise, I usually spend a lot of time playing eyes-shut when I’m holed away in my room learning a new tune.
Greg
[ This Message was edited by: Wandering_Whistler on 2002-07-11 12:43 ]
I always keep my eyes closed when they make me stand next to the fiddler.
[ This Message was edited by: Gary on 2002-07-11 14:31 ]
On 2002-07-11 12:19, Bloomfield wrote:
I think it’s bad style when people close their eyes in a session and miss the universal-raising-of-the-foot signal.
What’s the universal-raising-of-the-foot signal?
On 2002-07-11 13:26, avanutria wrote:
On 2002-07-11 12:19, Bloomfield wrote:
I think it’s bad style when people close their eyes in a session and miss the universal-raising-of-the-foot signal.What’s the universal-raising-of-the-foot signal?
End of tune.
BrassBlower: Be careful! There’s a certain kinda woman out there that likes to collect musicians!
Gary
‘You’re darned tootin!’
Hehehe! Due to these two facts: 1. I’m married, and 2. I’m “photographically challenged”, I think I’m fairly safe. However, I’ll heed your advice. Even the ugliest rock stars can snag a supermodel!
What’s the universal-raising-of-the-foot signal?
End of tune.
[/quote]
Well THAT explains why I’ve been so unpopular at the sessions; All this time I thought the “raising the leg” cue was the universal sign to relieve yourself! This explains a lot…
Loren
P.S. Does this mean I may have misunderstood the title of the tune “The Yellow Tinker” as well?
Well THAT explains why I’ve been so unpopular at the sessions; All this time I thought the “raising the leg” cue was the universal sign to relieve yourself! This explains a lot…
ROTFLMAO 
Posted twice … sorry folks
[ This Message was edited by: garycrosby on 2002-07-11 19:08 ]