This ebook, An Alexander Technique Approach to Viola 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 viola 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)
On the surface it seems that it is better to let go of the elements of your viola technique that aren’t working, rather than to ignore the inefficient parts of your technique. But this isn’t so obvious. Here is a dictionary definition of ignore.
YOU REFUSE TO TAKE NOTICE OR ACKNOWLEDGE; DISREGARD INTENTIONALLY.
Did you notice the last word in the definition – INTENTIONALLY?!?! To me intentionally means doing something consciously, so even by this definition, “ignore” has the potential to be a truly conscious choice with a positive outcome.
There is a saying, “Whatever you focus on the most in your thoughts is what you create.” The opposite of this saying opens the door for you to simultaneously let go of what isn’t working on the viola by actively releasing these problem habits and to ignore them.
There is a precedent set in the Alexander Technique for taking a word that usually has a negative connotation and giving it a positive spin. That word in the Alexander Technique is ORDERS. F. M. Alexander coined the word “orders” as what you told the body to do to prevent or release a poor postural habit. Orders are usually nonverbalized thoughts repeated as necessary.
Here’s an example of an ORDER that you could give your body before or as you play the viola. “My neck is free and spine is lengthening.” This is an order of release, thought before you play and at times as you play, given so that you play without tensing up and hunkering down.
By what I believe is the generally accepted definition, IGNORING something in your viola technique is suppressing thinking about what isn’t working.
By definition in the Alexander Technique, RELEASING what isn’t working in your viola technique is to bring to consciousness what isn’t working and to choose to stop doing these inefficient additions to your technique.
Here’s the overlap that places ignoring in a positive light. IF YOU IGNORE POOR VIOLA TECHNIQUE HABITS THAT AREN’T WORKING, THEN YOU AREN’T OBSESSING ON THEM. IN THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE, TO RELEASE OR INHIBIT A VIOLA TECHNIQUE HABIT IS TO ACCEPT THAT YOU HAVE THE POWER TO STOP DOING WHAT ISN’T WORKING.
By the usual definition of ignoring something in your viola technique that is holding you back, you unconsciously believe you DON’T have the power to change what isn’t working, so you ignore it, so you can continue to practice and perform.
If you bring poor technique habits to consciousness and still deeply believe/feel you CAN’T change them, this is a very tough place to be. What do I mean?
If you tell yourself you CAN’T change the elements of your viola technique that don’t work, you are probably unwilling to look at this belief, because it feels too painful to think.
So, if you simultaneously identify what isn’t working in your viola technique, let go of believing these elements are unfixable, and proceed to “ignore” what isn’t working, then you are NOT fixating on what has blocked great playing until now.
When you FIXATE on what is not working in your viola technique, then you must GATHER EVIDENCE that you are INCAPABLE of doing what you want on the viola. THIS IS AN EXTRAORDINARY ACT OF GIVING AWAY YOUR POWER! So, you GATHER EVIDENCE to prove you are right.
By definition, GATHERING EVIDENCE that you have severe limitations on the viola is also unconscious behavior, like ignoring can be. Think about it: Isn’t it bizarre how many things we humans do that seem so rational and thoughtful, that are so unconscious, because we are so afraid to admit we AREN’T as limited as we may believe we are.
I’M ASKING YOU TO EMPOWER YOURSELF AS A VIOLIST BY LETTING GO OF WHAT ISN’T WORKING IN YOUR VIOLA TECHNIQUE, GIVE YOURSELF THE FREEDOM TO IGNORE WHAT YOU’RE LETTING GO OF, AND GET ON WITH THE JOY OF PLAYING WITH GREAT EASE.
