The Alexander Technique

[swim4ever_22]

I recently watched Barbara Lister-Sink's video, "Freeing the Caged Bird", in which she encorporates the Alexander Technique. Apparently this is reduces muscle tension and stress, and Barbara Lister-Sink encorporates that into the piano. Can anyone give me more information on this? Is it a good approach to piano playing?

[zheer]

  You know you have to read about Alexander, he was a very intresting person,the ironic thing is he lived a very restless life. The technique is very mysterious and i belive he had something very mysterious about him. Anyway as far as i know the Tecknique is about making us aware of the many unconcious acts we make on a dialy basis, a process of re-education , or re-learning new and well coordinated movements. So yes  i would say it is a safe and good foundation.

[pizno]

I don't know much about the Alexander technique, but I am very curious about that video, Freeing the Caged Bird.  Would you recommend it?  Did you find it helpful?

piz

[atticus]

There is an article about the Alexander Technique and piano playing here:

https://www.pianoplaying.netfirms.com/


If the link above doesn't work just cut and paste it in your browser...

[swim4ever_22]

I don't know much about the Alexander technique, but I am very curious about that video, Freeing the Caged Bird.  Would you recommend it?  Did you find it helpful?

piz

In answer to your question... Freeing the Caged Bird is about piano technique, as we've already discussed. In the beginning, Barbara Lister-Sink tells of how she had suffered from many playing injuries, then went about a way to try and prevent them from happening, not only for herself, but for everyone. I personally think that the video is good, and that Lister-Sink is correct. While there are many ways to go about playing the piano, the question here isn't if I find it helpful, but after your own research, ask yourself if you think it would benefit you. I personally think if I encorporated the Alexander Technique into piano playing, then my abilities would greatly increase. This is just what I think. I could be wrong. Regardless, what works for me might not be the most effective way for you. There are as many methods for going about the piano as there are pianists. You just have to find or even create the one that suits you best.

[zheer]

 In sum, if you feel physical discomfort pain when at the piano, then the Alexander technique is for you.

[elspeth]

Alexander technique done right will improve a lot more for you than your piano technique... get your back straight, stop you slouching, breathe better, and in general terms being a lot more aware of your body and your posture. If you sing, it'll improve your sound greatly, and even things like sitting at your desk at work will improve.

One of the common starter exercises is imagining you've got a helium balloon on a string attached to the top of your head, and it's holding you up - and if you keep that image in mind, whatever you're doing at the time, you'll find your back and neck should come into line... some of the concepts are a bit abstract but once you get them and start using them day to day your back especially will thank you for it!

[pianowelsh]

I believe Ashkenazy is somekind of patron or advocate of freeing the caged bird. Also certainly in Uk all the major conservatoires offer Alexander lessons applied to instrumental study.. some even have a compulsary alexander course - not so say that makes it good... but they must have some confidentce in it.

[elspeth]

Most actors and dancers do Alexander in some shape or form. if you get your posture and breathing good from the start, you avoid all the problems you can get from slouching and not breathing well.