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Long story short: I've had problems with my hands for years. Can't play as much as I'd like and tire out faster than anyone I know. Ran into Alexander technique and spent this morning figuring out how to loosen up while playing and fix my posture up, immediately noticed a difference. (I'm a pianist if that knowledge is of any use)

A question: How does Alexander technique differ from simply loosening up and playing more "effortlessly"? Why do I keep hearing world class musician's (for example Kai Hahto) praising it? Please post your experiences.

Seriously, no one? Damn you genetically superior people you!

aleksi wrote:Long story short: I've had problems with my hands for years. Can't play as much as I'd like and tire out faster than anyone I know. Ran into Alexander technique and spent this morning figuring out how to loosen up while playing and fix my posture up, immediately noticed a difference. (I'm a pianist if that knowledge is of any use)

A question: How does Alexander technique differ from simply loosening up and playing more "effortlessly"? Why do I keep hearing world class musician's (for example Kai Hahto) praising it? Please post your experiences.

What is the Alexander technique?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_technique

I thought this was only applicable to pianists but it seems it's much, much broader than that. I've never heard of it before though, and if I glance over this wiki-entry there doesn't appear to be much difference between 'loosening up and playing more effortlessly' and applying this technique. If I understand correctly this technique aids in becoming more aware of what muscle groups to relax, so that in the end you're really in control of what you're doing.

I'm a classical guitarist and I had to do a 12 week Alexander course as part of my degree. Personally it did absolutely nothing for me, but I've seen some people get really, really great results. It essentially changes the way you feel about carrying your body through the world and therefore can have hugely beneficial effects on posture, which translates to better use of technique in your playing etc.

If you go into it with an open mind and find a good teacher then I'm sure it will help you out.

We had a short seminar in stress relief and meditation last year at my uni, and we talked a little bit about it.

I can't remember exactly how this particular technique worked for me, but I do remember feeling pretty relaxed afterwards.

I also had a friend who had serious issues with loosening up as a guitarist and I spent a while trying to coax him out of it, trying different approaches but I didn't get anything particularly conclusive.

I think being relaxed as a player, personally, had a lot to do with the amount of Alice in Chains I used to play. Completely changed the way my right hand worked, and was followed by a potent course of left hand technique from Marty Friedman solos.