We can learn a thing or two by watching the hand gestures of opera singers.
The Aria
I was watching “The Devil’s Violinist” movie about one of the most famous violinists of all time – Paganini. Boy, talk about playing from the heart. But that isn’t the focus of this post. This post is about the opera singer Paganini brought on stage to accompany him in an Aria he composed, lo Ti Penso Amore. The entire time the young woman sang, her hands were clasped before her. She did not gesture at all. The result? There was no distraction from the phenomenal melody, music, coming from her heart. You can see it here.
Gesturing as Speakers
Many of us, as speakers, use way too many gestures. This was one of the very first tips a TEDx coach, Kymberlee Weil, gave those of us selected to be on a TEDx stage:
“Keep your arms at your side. Gesture only when it adds emphasis to your words.”
No performer does this better than opera singers. For the most part, their gestures are minimal. The focus is on the music and words coming out from their mouth. It is so sublime that, seriously, there is little a body gesture can do to enhance it.
Less is more
So, take it from a TEDx trainer (and multiple TED talk speaker) and opera singers. When it comes to gestures, less is more.
