Alexander Technique for Musicians
A proven method that can help you take control of you posture, improve your breathing technique, overcome pain, and improve your general playing technique.
The Alexander Technique is an effective means for changing tension habits and improving coordination. The Technique can be especially beneficial for musicians dealing with excessive stress, injury, or pain and for musicians wanting to enhance performance skills. The Alexander Technique is included in the curriculum of a number of conservatories and university music departments. This site features informative articles and links to resources on the Alexander Technique for musicians. Thanks to the <a href="info@alexandercenter.com">Alexander Center</a> for the use of this page (see below for contact information.)
The Alexander Technique A talk given at Indiana University School of Music, Bloomington
by Frank Pierce Jones
A Technique for Musicians by Frank Pierce Jones
Fortunate Misfortunes: Steps Toward the Alexander Technique
by Alexander Murray
The Alexander Technique and Flute Playing
by Alexander Murray
The Alexander Technique for String Players
The Alexander Technique and the String Pedagogy of Paul Rolland
by Carol Porter McCullough
I. Introduction
II. The Life and Discovery of F. M. Alexander
III. Fundamentals of Upper String Playing and the Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique for Daily Practice
Working to a Principle
by Pedro de Alcantara
Links to Recommended Articles on the Alexander Technique for Musicians
Introduction to the Alexander Technique
Three Musicians Talk About the Alexander Technique
Two Alexander Technique teachers and one student, all professional musicians, discuss definitions of the Alexander Technique and their experiences learning, applying and teaching the technique in relation to music making.
Three Musicians Continue their Discussion of the Alexander Technique
Second part of an in-depth discussion.
Three Musicians Conclude their Discussion of the Alexander Technique
Third of a three-part discussion between a bassoonist, violinist and oboist.
The Alexander Technique and Musicians by John S. Hunter
A clearly-written article explaining the premises and principles of the Alexander Technique and how they apply to music making.
The Alexander Technique for Flutists by Alexander Murray
A Sound Technique? by Eleanor Vivien Care
Explains the operational ideas and describes the benefits of the Alexander Technique for students of singing.
The Whole Guitarist
Excerpts from The Whole Guitarist: "Fretting: The Tight Rope Walker" and "One Coordinated Gesture."
Links to Resources
Finding an Alexander Technique Teacher 1
Finding an Alexander Technique Teacher 2
Choosing an Alexander Technique Teacher
Mornum Time Press
Publisher of quality books about the Alexander Technique.
Mouritz Press
Specialist publisher of quality books on the Alexander Technique, including original writings of F. M. Alexander.
Recommended Reading on the Alexander Technique for Musicians
Indirect Procedures: A Musician's Guide to the Alexander Technique by Pedro de Alcantara. Foreword by Sir Colin Davis. London: Oxford University Press, 1997. Available from Amazon.
The Insiders' Guide to the Alexander Technique
http://www.alexandercenter.com/
Alexander Technique for Musicians
Web site maintained by Marian Goldberg
Alexander Technique Center of Washington
e-mail: info@alexandercenter.com
