The Alexander Technique and Body Mapping a Strategy for Voice Teachers and Choral Directors
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Date
2009-08Author
Pearson, Kathy Shay
Publisher
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Fine Arts and Communication
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Show full item recordAbstract
The Alexander Technique and Body Mapping are invaluable additions to
vocal studio and choral settings. Understanding the places of balance and the
proper use of the body will allow the voice to sing with freedom, resonance and
clarity.
Frank Pierce Jones explained the Alexander Technique during a lecture
given at the Indiana University School of Music, Bloomington, Indiana on March
10, 1975 as follows:
"The Alexander Technique is a method for getting rid
of, (inhibiting) unwanted habit patterns that interfere
with smooth performance – not just musical
performance but any performance. For the performer
it is a method for using kinesthetic cues – the
sensations of tensions, effort, weight and the like – in
order to organize his field of awareness in a
systematic way, so as to take in the whole of what he
is doing instead of just a part, and to accomplish
what he aims to do without unwanted side effects."
(Jones, 1975)
In her book, Voice and the Alexander Technique, Jane R Heirich
delineates what the technique is and is not:
"The Alexander Technique is not about release of
tension per se, but about efficiency of muscle use (i.e.
the appropriate use of the appropriate muscles for
whatever is the task at the moment). It is not a
relaxation technique, but about balanced strength,
coordination, and ease of movement… It is not about
learning deep-breathing exercises, but about
relearning the elasticity of the entire thorax and of
the muscles involved in breathing. It is not posture as
a static concept, but about dynamic poise in
movement…” (Heirich, 2005)
Barbara Conable describes body awareness as essential to good singing.
Body awareness comes through our kinesthetic sense. Kinesthetic sensations
come from special sense organs in our muscles. Kinesthetic along with auditory
and visual information comprise our inclusive awareness, which contains all the
information needed. In her book What Every Musician Needs to Know about the
Body: The Practical Application of Body Mapping to Making Music, she describes
the Alexander Technique as:
"…a simple and practical method for improving ease
and freedom of movement, balance, support,
flexibility and coordination. It provides a means
whereby the use of a part – a voice, or an arm or a
leg – is improved by improving the use of the whole
body, indeed, the whole self." (Conable, 2000)
James McKinney has written about the Alexander Technique in his book,
The Diagnosis and Correction of Vocal Faults: A manual for teachers of singing
and for choir directors.
"In recent years a system for establishing proper
posture and freeing the body, mind and emotions to
function as a unified whole has gained wide
acceptance. It is known as the Alexander Principle… A
practitioner who is trained in this system can solve
many of the problems of alignment…" (McKinney
1994)
This paper will provide voice instructors and choral directors with specific
information on the use of the Alexander Technique and Body Mapping for private
studio instruction and choral rehearsals resulting in the attainment of optimum
performance.