The Alexander Technique - the application of FM Alexander's principles to music performance

• Main Author: De Búrca, Aingeala
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Kungl. Musikhögskolan, Institutionen för klassisk musik 2021
• Subjects: Alexander Technique; Interactive Teaching Method; musicianship; musician’s health and wellbeing; violin playing; Isabella Leonarda; Sonata Duodecima; Music; Musik
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kmh:diva-4199

The purpose of this essay is to explore how the application of the Alexander Technique, as taught from the point of view of the Interactive Teaching Method (ITM), can be of benefit in performance preparation as well as in the enhancement of the musician’s practice and performance in general. Although the specific performance described in this paper was for violin, the argument is made that the exploration and methods of practice would be of benefit to any musician. This paper describes the experience of a study of the Alexander Technique. Information is provided about the Alexander Technique, its origins, principles and practices. The application of Alexander’s work to violin playing in general is discussed, and specifically to the preparation for the performance of Sonata Duodecima by Isabella Leonarda. === <p>Isabella Leonarda: Sonata Duodecima Opus 16</p><p>Elizabeth Jackquet De La Guerre: Sonata No 1 in D minor for Violin &amp; Cembalo</p><p>Antonio Bonparti: Invention No 1 in A major (from 12 Inventions for Violin)</p><p>Baroque Violin: Aingeala De Búrca</p><p>Cembalo: Mayumi Kamata</p><p>The sounding part has been archived.</p><p></p>