Full power

There is one tool that makes it possible to use your whole body with full power when exercising: a back roller (also known as a blackroll). All you need is a suitable wall or door surface. The basic idea is that the back roller can be used to move the whole body up and down while exercising. This sounds strange at first, and admittedly it was at first, but we quickly realised the many benefits:

• The up and down movements can be customised depending on the exercise goal.
• The whole body is in increasingly controlled movement, whereby
• playing becomes increasingly independent of body movement and therefore more relaxed.
• You also train your muscles.
• You get a back massage in the process.

The roll and the simultaneous leaning against the wall (roll) makes it possible not to change the instrumental posture or to avoid unfavourable compensatory movements more easily. There are a few things you should always pay attention to:

• The feet need a good standing and should not slip on the floor.
• Aim for short sessions, especially at the beginning.
• For an immediate sense of achievement: It is advisable to know exactly what you want to do, as you often only have the stamina for a few moves at the beginning.
• The type of roller should suit you. You can usually try them out beforehand in sports shops.

Erdmute has integrated this way of practising into her Arm vibrato booklet and shows specific ways of doing it.