Vocalist.org archive


From:  "DIANE M. CLARK (MUSIC DEPARTMENT)" <DCLARK@r...>
Date:  Thu Apr 6, 2000  2:42 am
Subject:  Re: [vocalist-temporary] Alexander technique?


Ian B. wrote:

>>In my own experience
(having had Alexander Technique myself) I have found
that, although you end up with a feeling of wellbeing,
it actually causes some singers not to sing as well as
they can owing to the tension needed for the vocal
intrument to work at it's best being somewhat 'ironed
out'

I have studied AT for 23 years with a number of different teachers, and I
have never had a single teacher try to iron out the tension needed to sing.
The point of AT is to learn to do ONLY the amount of work needed to perform
any activity efficiently, instead of being overachievers, as people usually
are. I agree with Naomi's advice not to judge AT too quickly. It took me
several years of working with it before I began to fully appreciate what it
had to offer. I agree with Ian that each person has to determine what bene-
fit AT holds for him...but don't make hasty decisions.

|\ Dr. Diane M. Clark, Assoc. Prof./Chair of Music Dept., Rhodes College
| 2000 N. Parkway, Memphis, TN 38112, 901-843-3782, dclark@r...
() http://gray.music.rhodes.edu/musichtmls/faculty/dclark.html

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