The Alexander Technique:Musician's Method for Improvement 2014

Intro to how the Alexander Technique is useful to musicians by Lori Schiff, faculty The Juilliard School, Aspen Music Festival and School

[@007attaboy]

AT has been fantastic for me.

[@MyPinot]

Yes!! Great job Lori!! Stephen Williams

[@girlmusician24]

Does the Alexander technique work for jazz musicians?

[@PlayitonPan]

No, only classical musicians. Jazz musicians should learn dance.

[@stvirginias1722]

Yes It works for all humans

[@michaelenns8872]

I don't get how that can be of any help ... it looks like the teacher is doing literally nothing. I hear that this "technique" is very helpful for musicians ..... but HOW???

[@RichardGutierrezRG]

Really??? A musician may have developed a bad habit such as tightening their shoulders during difficult passages...an Alexander Technician can see this, move your body to a better position that eliminates the bad habit or posture. The teacher is guiding a student into their best position, holding them there with just a touch so the musician can start their process of relearning a better way. If I'm not mistaken, the founder was an actor whose voice was getting hoarse during rehearsals, and performances and in his frustration, set up mirrors so he could see himself and he found that he was setting his head slightly back as he was using his voice, aggravating his voice box, his muscles, etc. He was able to correct the mystery thereby creating a system to help people maximize their bodies, as extensions of their instruments, so they could work in harmony.