This ebook, An Alexander Technique Approach to Performing Musicians and Exercise, is published on this website in a PDF format. It shows the performing musician how to exercise without causing wear and tear to the body or compromise the quality of their performing technique.
This ebook is also for sale on all AMAZON websites in a KINDLE format.
Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A. (MOVEMENT THERAPY)
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS ALMOST ACCURATE OR ALMOST WINNING, WHEN IT COMES TO SPECIALIZED ACTIVITIES. YOU EITHER WIN THE RACE, GET THE GOLF BALL IN THE HOLE, OR PLAY THE RIGHT NOTE. ALL ELSE IS A MISS.
If you’re playing a musical instrument or singing, almost hitting the right note can sound worse than missing it by a mile.
If you almost get the golf ball in the hole, what’s the difference if you miss by 50 feet? It doesn’t count.
If your competing in a race, second place ain’t first place. It isn’t winning.
WHAT HAS ALL OF THIS TO DO WITH THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE?
By definition the Alexander Technique is about the Alexander Technique teacher teaching the student how to do specialized and everyday activities without harming his or her body. The technique isn’t directly about accuracy and winning, but it is indirectly. What do I mean?
The Alexander Technique teacher can teach the pianist to play without causing any wear and tear. But is the pianist who plays with great technique and posture guaranteed to be an accurate player? NO!
The Alexander Technique Teacher can teach a golfer to hit the ball with great posture and technique, but is the golfer guaranteed to get the ball in the hole?
NO!
An Alexander Technique teacher can teach a competitive runner to run beautifully upright without damaging his or her body, but is he or she guaranteed to win the race? NO!
There are some great Alexander Technique out there who can teach their students to stop damaging their bodies, but when it comes to specialized activities, they can’t assist their students in excelling in specialized activities.
WHY?
Not too long ago I found myself on the website of an opera singer. There was a section in his website/blog where he was ranting on and on about how impractical the Alexander Technique is when it comes to great singing and exercise. (I believe he was into weightlifting.)
I thought he was an idiot or had worked with an uncertified Alexander Teacher who didn’t embody the technique. (Certified Alexander Technique teachers embody what they teach, and if they don’t, find a new teacher.)
WHAT IF HE HAD WORKED WITH A CERTIFIED ALEXANDER TEACHER WHO COULDN’T HELP HIM OVER THE HUMP TO REALLY SINGING GREAT OPERA OR LIFT HEAVY WEIGHT?
What I believe is the true final step of what a client should receive from an Alexander Technique teacher is to take accuracy and winning(going for it) into whatever specialized activity, and play accurately, and win a race going all out without sacrificing the body.
This is what I address in my ebooks that are specialized books on everything from playing a cello, to singing to sports (over 65 books on this website or on Amazon Kindle).
Each of these books are extremely detailed in looking at posture during an activity and looking at very specific technique in the activity. I offer the reader the Alexander Technique principles of great body use and great activity with high dynamic.
This means you perform or win with high dynamic, so that the listener isn’t bored, or you win the race, or you putt the golf ball into the hole most of the time from 20 feet away or more.
