Alexander Technique, which is based on human physiology, is a practical method for discovering and bettering ease and lightness of movement, coordination, flexibility, and thought.
We often develop habits over time that prevent us from reaching our goals or at least make reaching those goals more difficult. This is true not only of habits of muscular tension which may impair breathing or movement, or even lead to injury, but also of patterns of thought that prevent us from displaying our true abilities, for example before or during an audition or important performance.
The Alexander Technique for Musicians: How it Can Help and What it Can Accomplish
Aided by the Alexander Technique, we learn a more accurate perception of our movement and ourselves by increasing conscious awareness, in order to apply ourselves more effectively and efficiently in everything we do, with or without a musical instrument.
In addition, the Alexander Technique for musicians helps us learn to effectively apply the minimum effort required to accomplish the particular activity at hand, developing the ability to let go of excess tension, whether mental or physical, whilst carrying out said activity. In this way, we gain better control over our actions and reactions, including in our interactions with our instruments.
This all leads to more effective practice, more stamina and increased flexibility and precision during our performances, allowing the musician to reach their full potential. Goals are reached with more ease and efficiency. We can say goodbye to pain, injuries and chronic complaints related to our profession permanently by implementing the Alexander Technique for musicians.
Studies have proven that the Alexander Technique can help performance anxiety, and one-on-one lessons to help musicians deal with these issues in a constructive manner.
The Alexander Technique for Pianists, Guitarists, and Other Musicians
Posture and pain issues are also common in musicians due to the nature of holding an instrument (slumped over the piano, uneven positions while holding a guitar, violin, or most instruments) and the repetitiveness of this poor posture over time. Hours of daily or weekly practice catch up in the form of tension and pain that can linger for a long time.
This will worsen with time unless active measures are taken to use your body as it is intended.
The Alexander Technique for pianists, guitarists, and other musicians can help you to consciously change your automatism while practicing so your movements work for you.
Kerin has much experience working with professional and aspiring professional musicians to help them recover from and avoid injury. She especially enjoys teaching the Alexander Technique for musicians, which has been proven to help with pain and other risk factors that could lead to disability or the loss of optimal performance.
She is currently on the faculty at the Royal Academy of Music. She also implements the Alexander Technique for Horse Riders and Golfers for improved performance. Learn more about how the Alexander Technique in North London can help you today!