I know this is a little strange, but I have always admired artists who make a distinct face while playing. Its helped me to embrace my own "stink face" and helped me to stop worrying so much about hiding it. I feel like especially as a woman there's a weird pressure to heavily curate the photos and videos you put on the internet so that you look picture perfect in every frame/shot. Thank you for embracing your own playing face and helping me to do the same. ❤️
"an authentic face" 😃 that's definitely how I've always viewed it.
And if it wasn't the guitar face, people on the internet would find another excuse to comment on the appearance of a young woman, as I'm sure you've had to deal with. The fact that you keep posting is just proof of admirable character strength.
What a great read! I’ve been trying to record myself playing a rendition of one of your covers and I noticed how many faces I make when watching the takes back. Reading this has validated every feeling I had about it LOL authenticity ftw
The first time I saw a video of you singing and playing guitar, I was so inspired by your passion and talent. I was super excited that I would be hearing you play live at a concert soon after that. I didn’t think twice about what faces you were making. Maybe that’s just me, maybe it’s because I’ve grown up in a family of musicians. Or maybe it’s because I’ve been listening to Orla Gartland for years, and I’ve always loved watching her sing. She puts her entire heart and soul into every performance, and you do the same!!
I remember in high school choir, the director always told us that our faces were never “weird” enough! He said that we would hear the difference if we just let go, and he was right. I definitely struggle with how I’m being perceived, and I don’t like taking photos or videos of myself. I struggled to do any assignments in choir or music class that required me to record myself singing. It’s vulnerable, and not always an easy task.
I admire how you are able to keep going in spite of the negativity, and I’m so so incredibly grateful for the art that you continue to share with us. I think the biggest takeaway from all of this, is that I can tell that you’re really feeling the music- and to me there is nothing more beautiful than that. 🩷
To be honest, I have never really put that much attention in the “guitar face” and, now that i think of it, I must be definitely doing it as well as I play. I think as long as there’s no evident display of tension (e.g. teeth grinding), there’s really nothing wrong about it. If anything, it just shows you are in the zone and purely enjoying what you are playing rather than worrying whether or not a certain part will be played well or not .
In your case, since most of the times there’s also singing involved, I kind of assumed that shaping the face in specific, sometimes “weird” ways, would be the mechanism that enables to hit specific notes with ease and with the target effect (e.g. a falsetto or what not). I don’t find anything weird with it, it is just technique, even when one does it unconsciously.
But let’s put singing aside and assume it’s only guitar playing involved. While it is true it is the artist’s choice to put themselves out there, what I as a “spectator” feel entitled to judge is the art itself and not the artist. If we are talking music here, facial expressions are not something I would primarily focus on, especially since we are not talking about an outlier behavior, but something many, many guitar players do.
Especially for those who need to work with them, I believe social media are a double edged sword. They enlarge your audience and allow to create rather large communities on what would otherwise be a rather small local niche. However, they were primarily meant/created to “show” rather than “listen” and the average reaction, especially for people who are not necessarily guitar players themselves (in this case), will always, even unconsciously, place the looks over the content.
All this to say: worry not about shallow comments over facial expressions. If anything, we can now use it as a way to tell us you are truly enjoying the moment 🙂.
From the first time I saw your videos, I noticed how you feel the music that you are playing through your facial expressions. I loved it. I still love it. For me, these expressions show who you are and what music means to you. They give you a unique signature in some way. Keep doing what you're doing.
Thanks for sharing! I don’t know if I have anything to say that hasn’t been said better by you or someone in the comments, but it sounds like you’ve developed a healthy mindset about this. So you make weird faces; who cares? If anything, it adds character to your performance. Keep making “guitar face” and keep making great music.
I first heard you via Rick Beatto and was completely blown away by how interesting your guitar playing was (I play myself) and how cool the songs were. Luckily got a ticket to see you in London, which was a great show! Absolutely no comments on the "guitar face" because who the fuck cares?! 😂 I grew up on people like Hendrix and Page, who were immersed in their music, and certainly had a range of faces whilst doing so!
Benjamin Zander is a classical composer who did a Ted talk about 20 years ago and he raises some similar points about the wonder of expressiveness in musicians and how it deepens the connection w the audience, it's a really classic vid from the ancient days
While some artists work to present a pleasing image, I admire those who are totally committed to creating their art. I do appreciate your talking about this.
Being put off by parts of an expression that seem incongruent with one another is simply missing the whole. To open oneself to see this is to love.
Who you are and what you do still aspire to become one in this fragmented world. The courage that heals you will heal others too. May we forgive ourselves and one another for being other, and thus more than we know to want.
I was incredibly sad to read your post last night as I love watching your face while you are singing. I wish I’d said it earlier now. You have been so inspiring to me. Here are few things I’ve seen on another Substack page call the spotted zebra filled with what I have found to be positive reaffirming thought-provoking posts. That page led me to Lei’s page so I give her credit for these as well. I hope they affirm and inspire you.
The truth is, you were never "too much", you were just in places where you couldn't be held. Some people don't have a container large enough to hold you. That's on them, not you.
Maham Siddiqui

And I caught myself wanting to feel bad for trusting what I experienced.
But I don't. Not this time. I gave myself grace because the connection wasn't a mistake, the lesson was the part that mattered more.
Hello Bryah
Maybe the goal is to realize that love doesn't require you to become smaller. It just requires you to be seen. And the right person will look at the things you've been apologizing for your whole life and call them beautiful.
Yande

If what I see on your face is acting, you deserve an Oscar. I find it heart-wrenchingly beautiful to see your whole being consumed by the art you’re creating. To ask your face to be still would be like asking the moon not to shine in reflection of the life-giving sun.
I know this is a little strange, but I have always admired artists who make a distinct face while playing. Its helped me to embrace my own "stink face" and helped me to stop worrying so much about hiding it. I feel like especially as a woman there's a weird pressure to heavily curate the photos and videos you put on the internet so that you look picture perfect in every frame/shot. Thank you for embracing your own playing face and helping me to do the same. ❤️
"an authentic face" 😃 that's definitely how I've always viewed it.
And if it wasn't the guitar face, people on the internet would find another excuse to comment on the appearance of a young woman, as I'm sure you've had to deal with. The fact that you keep posting is just proof of admirable character strength.
What a great read! I’ve been trying to record myself playing a rendition of one of your covers and I noticed how many faces I make when watching the takes back. Reading this has validated every feeling I had about it LOL authenticity ftw
The first time I saw a video of you singing and playing guitar, I was so inspired by your passion and talent. I was super excited that I would be hearing you play live at a concert soon after that. I didn’t think twice about what faces you were making. Maybe that’s just me, maybe it’s because I’ve grown up in a family of musicians. Or maybe it’s because I’ve been listening to Orla Gartland for years, and I’ve always loved watching her sing. She puts her entire heart and soul into every performance, and you do the same!!
I remember in high school choir, the director always told us that our faces were never “weird” enough! He said that we would hear the difference if we just let go, and he was right. I definitely struggle with how I’m being perceived, and I don’t like taking photos or videos of myself. I struggled to do any assignments in choir or music class that required me to record myself singing. It’s vulnerable, and not always an easy task.
I admire how you are able to keep going in spite of the negativity, and I’m so so incredibly grateful for the art that you continue to share with us. I think the biggest takeaway from all of this, is that I can tell that you’re really feeling the music- and to me there is nothing more beautiful than that. 🩷
What an interesting read this was!
To be honest, I have never really put that much attention in the “guitar face” and, now that i think of it, I must be definitely doing it as well as I play. I think as long as there’s no evident display of tension (e.g. teeth grinding), there’s really nothing wrong about it. If anything, it just shows you are in the zone and purely enjoying what you are playing rather than worrying whether or not a certain part will be played well or not .
In your case, since most of the times there’s also singing involved, I kind of assumed that shaping the face in specific, sometimes “weird” ways, would be the mechanism that enables to hit specific notes with ease and with the target effect (e.g. a falsetto or what not). I don’t find anything weird with it, it is just technique, even when one does it unconsciously.
But let’s put singing aside and assume it’s only guitar playing involved. While it is true it is the artist’s choice to put themselves out there, what I as a “spectator” feel entitled to judge is the art itself and not the artist. If we are talking music here, facial expressions are not something I would primarily focus on, especially since we are not talking about an outlier behavior, but something many, many guitar players do.
Especially for those who need to work with them, I believe social media are a double edged sword. They enlarge your audience and allow to create rather large communities on what would otherwise be a rather small local niche. However, they were primarily meant/created to “show” rather than “listen” and the average reaction, especially for people who are not necessarily guitar players themselves (in this case), will always, even unconsciously, place the looks over the content.
All this to say: worry not about shallow comments over facial expressions. If anything, we can now use it as a way to tell us you are truly enjoying the moment 🙂.
From the first time I saw your videos, I noticed how you feel the music that you are playing through your facial expressions. I loved it. I still love it. For me, these expressions show who you are and what music means to you. They give you a unique signature in some way. Keep doing what you're doing.
Big fan from Brazil!
Thanks for sharing! I don’t know if I have anything to say that hasn’t been said better by you or someone in the comments, but it sounds like you’ve developed a healthy mindset about this. So you make weird faces; who cares? If anything, it adds character to your performance. Keep making “guitar face” and keep making great music.
I first heard you via Rick Beatto and was completely blown away by how interesting your guitar playing was (I play myself) and how cool the songs were. Luckily got a ticket to see you in London, which was a great show! Absolutely no comments on the "guitar face" because who the fuck cares?! 😂 I grew up on people like Hendrix and Page, who were immersed in their music, and certainly had a range of faces whilst doing so!
Benjamin Zander is a classical composer who did a Ted talk about 20 years ago and he raises some similar points about the wonder of expressiveness in musicians and how it deepens the connection w the audience, it's a really classic vid from the ancient days
While some artists work to present a pleasing image, I admire those who are totally committed to creating their art. I do appreciate your talking about this.
Emma, if Stevie Ray Vaughan can do it, then you can too. It's part of who you are and your style.
Don't try to change the faces! I can't help making the same faces as I listen to your stuff, that's just what good music does.
Great little act of transparency.
Being put off by parts of an expression that seem incongruent with one another is simply missing the whole. To open oneself to see this is to love.
Who you are and what you do still aspire to become one in this fragmented world. The courage that heals you will heal others too. May we forgive ourselves and one another for being other, and thus more than we know to want.
https://youtu.be/sFZ0aGDPkbs?si=Ycfm-lrygWjy3lRw
I was incredibly sad to read your post last night as I love watching your face while you are singing. I wish I’d said it earlier now. You have been so inspiring to me. Here are few things I’ve seen on another Substack page call the spotted zebra filled with what I have found to be positive reaffirming thought-provoking posts. That page led me to Lei’s page so I give her credit for these as well. I hope they affirm and inspire you.
The truth is, you were never "too much", you were just in places where you couldn't be held. Some people don't have a container large enough to hold you. That's on them, not you.
Maham Siddiqui

And I caught myself wanting to feel bad for trusting what I experienced.
But I don't. Not this time. I gave myself grace because the connection wasn't a mistake, the lesson was the part that mattered more.
Hello Bryah
Maybe the goal is to realize that love doesn't require you to become smaller. It just requires you to be seen. And the right person will look at the things you've been apologizing for your whole life and call them beautiful.
Yande

If what I see on your face is acting, you deserve an Oscar. I find it heart-wrenchingly beautiful to see your whole being consumed by the art you’re creating. To ask your face to be still would be like asking the moon not to shine in reflection of the life-giving sun.
Maybe this song gives you a boost.
Guitar face or not, you can play and I’m inspired by your playing and musicianship.