The Alexander Technique In Learning To Play An Instrument

Playing music can be one of the most rewarding things, but can also be the most frustrating. I started playing the violin at the comparatively late age of fourteen. I had lessons with a local teacher near where I live and progressed quite quickly through the early stages. After I decided to pursue it as a career, I started to increase the amount of practice I was doing. It was at this point that I started to experience some aches and pains in my back and shoulders. I wasn`t sure what I could do other than stop playing and have a break, but I started to get frustrated as there was always a limit to the amount of practice I could do.

I was lucky to gain a specialist scholarship as a viola player to Wells Cathedral School in Somerset, one of five such schools in the country. It was here that my new teacher recommended that I have Alexander Technique lessons. I had heard of the technique but wasn`t sure what it involved. After having weekly half-hour lessons for a while, I realised how beneficial it could be if I continued with it. The whole idea of `non-doing` was hard for me as I was so used to reacting to things by tightening my neck and pulling down, but after a while it taught me how to `stop and think` and inhibit these reactions.

The reason why the Alexander Technique is so important is that you can apply it to absolutely everything you do in daily life, including playing your instrument. It made me more aware of how I was standing or sitting when playing the viola. This meant that my back troubles gradually went away and I could practise for longer in the day, and sit through long orchestral or chamber music rehearsals without any trouble at all. It has also given me a greater awareness of how other people are using themselves, and this I feel has greatly improved my teaching skills.

I would recommend anyone to have lessons, whether they be a musician or not. It can help with all aspects of your life, not just music!