This ebook, An Alexander Technique Approach to Inspired Musical Performance, is published on this website in a PDF format. It is written to give all performing musicians deep insights into the beliefs and bad habits and technique that performers have that can end careers with pain, strain, tension, and injuries.
This ebook is also for sale on all AMAZON websites in a KINDLE format.
Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A. (MOVEMENT THERAPY)
WHEN YOU’RE TOTALLY REVAMPING YOUR TECHNIQUE IN AN EVERYDAY OR HIGHLY SKILLED ACTIVITY, IT SEEMS LIKE IT’S IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO SLIP BACK INTO DOING IT THE WAY YOU’VE ALWAYS DONE IT.
AND IT IS!
And it is in that period of the back and forth struggle between the old and the new, in how you walk, or play a musical instrument, or ride a bicycle, or play golf, that you’re likely to give up on changing your technique, or SETTLE for a blend of what hasn’t worked and what will work, which causes even greater problems.
The reason for this, is in the interim period between the old and new, you do the specialized activity badly. IT IS REALLY TOUGH TO DO WHAT YOU’VE DONE WELL FOR A LONG TIME BADLY.
The basis of this essay is how do you get to the place where the new way to do the activity pays off? There is a point in changing your technique, in how you walk, or play a musical instrument, play golf, or ride a bicycle, that the new technique makes what you’re doing easier and the new technique does itself.
THIS IS THE TIPPING POINT.
The tipping point is that place you reach in revamping your technique that you, for the first time, experience the light at the end of the tunnel. This means you experience what it’s going to be like to do the activity with ease and power and elegance without sacrificing your body anymore.
BUT TO GET TO THE TIPPING POINT IN ANY ACTIVITY, YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE FAITH THAT IF YOU HANG IN THERE, YOU WILL REACH A POINT WHEN YOU WILL EXPERIENCE THE ACTIVITY AS GETTING AND BEING EASIER.
What I just wrote should be obvious, but it isn’t always. Why?
Because, when you’ve struggled at doing something well for a long time, and it has been difficult, then you may have come to the belief it is INHERENTLY difficult and will always be difficult for you.
This is usually a lie you’re telling yourself. This is your ego’s way of coping with the struggle to do what you enjoy doing well, as you hurt, miss notes, miss the hole in golf, or your knees hurt on the bike or walking.
THE LIE IS THAT IT IS INHERENT TO THE ACTIVITY THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO STRUGGLE AND HURT OR THAT YOU DON’T HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE EXCEPTIONAL AT THE ACTIVITY.
If you give the Alexander Technique a chance to get you out of physical trouble, and to make the hard parts of any activity easier, then you will reach the TIPPING POINT!
