Posts Tagged ‘Cello Technique’

This ebook, An Alexander Technique Approach to Cello Technique, is published on this website in a PDF format. It is very detailed and practical, and it will give you the physical tools you need to take the limits off of your ability to create the accurate cello technique you want without sacrificing your body.
This ebook is also for sale on all AMAZON websites in a KINDLE format.
Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A. (MOVEMENT THERAPY)
CONCERT POSTPONED. I’LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN IT IS RESCHEDULED.
For the first time in over 25 years I’ve committed myself to a full classical guitar concert. I thought this would be a really great thing to write about, because I could describe what I’m going through to bring all of this together as a performer and Alexander Technique teacher and author.
As I write about this whole process you get to watch me go through what I ask you guys to go through. I HAVE gone through what I ask musical performers and conductors to go through, but now it will be from the perspective of me RECLAIMING AND EXPANDING UPON what I had on the guitar, and from me doing it AFTER I wrote the performing and conducting ebooks based on the Alexander Technique, and after my certified three year Alexander Technique training to become a teacher
I’ve also made a decision to break with classical guitar orthodoxy, or I wouldn’t even be considering a concert after all of these years. What do I mean? Here’s the list.
I’M USING A CUT AWAY PLUG IN AMPLIFIED CLASSICAL GUITAR.
I REST THE INSTRUMENT ON MY RIGHT LEG RAISED UP ON A CYLINDER ATTACHED TO THE GUITAR WITH VELCRO.
I’M USING ALASKA PIKS UNDERNEATH MY NATURAL NAILS WHICH CREATES THE LENGTHENING OF MY FINGERS BY AT LEAST A QUARTER OF AN INCH. THESE PLASTIC PICKS HAVE A SUPERIOR SOUND TO NAILS AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF BREAKING NAILS.
What have I discovered since I started getting ready for the concert? I discovered that everything is the opposite of what I thought it would be. Let me explain.
I knew I had applied many of the principles of the Alexander Technique to my playing when I performed my last concert, but I wasn’t prepared for how different my body was after three years of formal Alexander Technique training. This means there is a whole lot of release and postural change I’m incorporating into my playing as an Alexander Technique teacher. The training of a certified Alexander teacher means we integrate into our bodies what we teach.
When I looked at my guitar technique, I discovered that the weak sound of a classical guitar had been driving what I considered technique weaknesses in my playing. What I’ve now discovered is with a very easy to play fine amplified classical guitar and artificial nails, it wasn’t me but the nature of the instrument that was driving me crazy.
With a very easy LOUD instrument to play and a right hand finger technique learned in England that strikes the string, moving the string in an up and down movement, rather than a circular movement, I don’t buzz on a low action guitar.
Here’s the elephant in the room. IT IS MY RECOVERING THE DISCIPLINE OF PRACTICING REGULARLY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 25 YEARS.
I’ve discovered sitting for hours without tension requires muscle conditioning, so that I don’t resort to tensing in my body for support. This means I need to listen to my body and back off, when I’ve had enough of learning a new performance posture and technique for that day.
Also, now I’m learning how to focus on the music and take care of myself without sacrificing myself to play well. This is very new for me, even though I teach it. I had never walked the walk of being kind to myself to get a concert ready. In other words, it has been only in the last 25 years that I’ve become conscious that I was more important than the instrument. This means taking care of myself and using kindness to achieve the highest level of playing.