Indirect Procedures: A Musician's Guide to the Alexander Technique (Clarendon Paperbacks) this question feed

asked by perfect10 on November 17, 2006 4:20 AM
The problems of a musician may have many causes and many possible solutions. While working conditions, stress, and instrument and furniture design are all significant factors, the most important aspect of a musician's life remains not what is done to them, but what they do to themselves. F.M. Alexander (1869-1955) saw the individual as a whole, and talked not of `the body' but of `the self'; not of `posture', but of `use'. The aim of his technique is not to teach you to so what is right, but to help you stop doing what is wrong, through a series of practical procedures which awaken your awareness and allow you to develop your innate potential. The Alexander Technique applies to all areas of musical activity, from technique, sound production, and interpretation, to daily practice, rehearsal routines, and the mitigating of stage fright and health problems. This book, by an experienced professional musician and Alexander teacher, is the first to deal specifically with the applications of the Technique to music making.


Reviews

Thumb_up
Thumb_down

0%
0%
This book is an excellent and precise treatment of the Alexander Technique. Although his examples are primarily for Cellists, Pianists, and singers, there's much that would apply to any musician. Occasionally academic, this book is well worth the patience. A moderate number of pictures are present.
reviewed by bulldogs on November 23, 2006 3:24 AM

Thumb_up
Thumb_down

0%
0%
My teacher recommended this book as The Book To Read if I wanted to read a book about Alexander Technique as I was taking lessons. Obviously it's a book that works wonderfully for many people. I was disappointed, though. I found the book rigid and very dismissive of approaches the author didn't absolutely agree with, and obsessed with bolstering itself with citations and quotes. It almost deifies Alexander, and talks very specifically of positions etc. The impression I have of Alexander Technique from my lessons is completely different: it's about being open rather than closed to alternatives.

And yes, I had heard that Alexander lessons are infinitely better than books. I absolutely agree after reading this.

reviewed by wendi on November 27, 2006 3:47 AM

Thumb_up
Thumb_down

0%
0%
Indirect Procedures stands by itself in the world of Alexander Technique books. Written by a cellist and Alexander teacher, it is the only book I know of exclusively devoted to musicians' issues. At the same time, it is a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practice of Alexander Technique with some photo illustrations. One caveat - Indirect Procedures is not light reading and this certainly sets it apart from most self-improvement books. It is thorough and detailed and very serious.

This book addresses virtually all of the habits of muscle use that can lead muscians down the road to injuries and limited playing and performing. Beginning with my conservatory training 30 years ago, I learned that the most important part of making music was "delivering the goods." Mastering repertoire was the name of the game. If my arms hurt or my wrists ached, that was just part of being a musician. It was inevitable. Now we know it isn't. And De Alcantara's book shows musicians ways to understand movement, habit, and posture that can transform music-making from a high stress and often painful event back to the joy that it was when they began playing.

This book is particularly useful for musicians who don't have access to an Alexander teacher and would like to incorporate some of the technique into their approach to music. It is also an aid to those who are working with an Alexander teacher who is less experienced with musicians. The book is dry and detailed but absolutely invaluable if you really want to make Alexander Technique a serious part of your musical life.

reviewed by costa on November 27, 2006 3:42 PM

search

 
 

browse

book tags