The Alexander Technique for Musicians

Introduction to the Alexander Technique for Musicians

• The Alexander Technique. A talk given at Indiana University School of Music, Bloomington by Frank Pierce Jones
• A Technique for Musicians, by Frank Pierce Jones

The Alexander Technique for Woodwind Players

• Grabbing the Bird by the Tale: A Flutist’s History of Learning to Play by Alexander Murray
• Fortunate Misfortunes: Steps Toward the Alexander Technique by Alexander Murray
• The Alexander Technique and Flute Playing by Alexander Murray

The Alexander Technique for Violinists and Violists

• The Alexander Technique and the String Pedagogy of Paul Rolland by Carol Porter McCullough
  1. Introduction
  2. The Life and Discovery of F. M. Alexander
  3. Fundamentals of Upper String Playing and the Alexander Technique

The Alexander Technique for Harpists

• Applying the Alexander Technique to Modern Pedal Harp Performance and Pedagogy by Claire Happel Ashe

The Alexander Technique for Daily Practice

• Working to a Principle by Pedro de Alcantara

More essays and articles in the near future!

Links to Recommended Articles on the Alexander Technique for Musicians

• “Introduction to the Alexander Technique”
• “Three Musicians Talk About the Alexander Technique” Two Alexander Technique teachers and one student, all professional musicians, discuss definitions of the Alexander Technique and their experiences learning, applying and teaching the technique in relation to music making.
• Three Musicians Conclude their Discussion of the Alexander Technique.” Third of a three-part discussion between a bassoonist, violinist and oboist.
• “Musicians and the Alexander Technique” by John S. Hunter. A clearly written article explaining the premises and principles of the Alexander Technique and how they apply to playing music.
• “The Alexander Technique ‘Whispered Ah’ ” by Ron Murdock. A video for vocalists that explains a fundamental AT vocal procedure.
• “Flute playing is as easy as breathing.” An interview with former LSO principal flutist and Alexander Technique senior teacher Alexander Murray in the British Flute Journal, Pan.

Links to Resources

• Alexander Technique: The Insiders’ Guide
• The Alexander Technique Center of Washington
• Learning the Alexander Technique: Lesson FAQs
• Finding an Alexander Technique Teacher
• Alexander Technique Workshops
• Novis: Publisher of high-quality educational products for the Alexander trainee, teacher and teacher trainer alike, as well as for the serious pupil who wishes to inquire more into the theory and history of the Technique.
• Mouritz Press: Specialist publisher of books on the Alexander Technique, including original writings of F. M. Alexander.

Recommended Reading on the Alexander Technique for Musicians

• The Alexander Technique: Freedom in Thought and Action by Tasha Miller and David Langstroth. Free audio book on YouTube. Audio download available from Spotify. Nous Publishing, 2007. ISBN 9780973978629. "...two writers who are so articulate and stylish, so broadly read in their subject, and so sensible in their commentary...a very healthy and much needed work.” – Alex Murray (Professor Emeritus of Flute, University of Illiniois; Former Principal Flute, London Symphony; Director, Alexander Technique Center Urbana.)
• Indirect Procedures: A Musician’s Guide to the Alexander Technique by Pedro de Alcantara. Foreword by Sir Colin Davis. London: Oxford University Press, 1997. Available from Barnes & Noble.
• Just Play Naturally by Vivien Mackie and Joe Armstrong. An account of studying with Pablo Casals and the similarity with the principles of the Alexander Technique. ISBN 1425708692 / 978-1425708696
• The Voice Book by Michael McCallion. Taylor and Francis Publishing, 1998. A practical manual for speakers and singers. Available from Barnes and Noble.
• Born to Sing: A Singer's Journey Toward Mind-Body Unity by Ron Murdock. Available from Mouritz. ISBN 0979637007 / 978-0979637001.