alexander technique

[flowinowen]

Hi Lynn, I've been having a rough time with my hands' health lately. What do you know about the Alexander Technique? So far, the sites I've found haven't told much about it.

thanks

[Ed Fuqua]

Check with Don Higdon who posts at this site, he's a bassist and an AT practitioner...

[jamesvocal]

Hello there,
Alexander Technique is very useful for carpal tunnel and other instrument induced pain. The best source for information is amsatonline.org--a large group of certified teachers in the US. They have teacher listings so you can find one to get the whole scoop. Best of luck.

Best,
Jameson
(singer and Alexander Technique teacher)

[Don Higdon]

Originally Posted by flowinowen

What do you know about the Alexander Technique? So far, the sites I've found haven't told much about it.
thanks

No site or book can tell exactly what it is, because like the taste of an orange or the feeling of riding a bicycle, it can be known only by experiencing it. It is a form of experiential learning. The intellect alone is useless here.
The bad news is that the nearest Alexander teachers are in Asheville. The good news is that there are several good ones, including one of the best in the country.

[Lynn Seaton]

Hi,
Though I have no personal experience, the AT is known to have been beneficial to many musicians who experience pain. I have heard that part of the time spent with a teacher is observing how you play and making some observations to help you play more ergonomically.
The previous post gave the website, but this one will work as a direct link:
http://www.amsatonline.org/
Good Luck.
Please give us an update about your experience with AT.

[flowinowen]

Thanks for the help! As far as an update, I live over three hundred miles from the nearest AT teacher (NC mountains). Are there any other suggestions for hand pain? I've tried reflexology which works half of the time. i've even heard cherries are cool to joints?

[Lynn Seaton]

One suggestion would be to make sure your bass is set up to be user friendly. Consider lower action and lower tension strings. I have been using Correli Forte for a long time. There is a new D'Addario string called Zyex that has gut like sound and comes in a lighter tension. They also are working on a new orchestral string that should be out soon that I tried at the ISB CONVENTION that was quite easy to play.

[Don Higdon]

Originally Posted by flowinowen

Thanks for the help! As far as an update, I live over three hundred miles from the nearest AT teacher (NC mountains).

Aren't you in Cullowheee? That's 53 miles from Asheville, where there are several good teachers.

[flowinowen]

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

Aren't you in Cullowheee? That's 53 miles from Asheville, where there are several good teachers.

Yea I found some guys right after I posted.

[Don Higdon]

Originally Posted by flowinowen

Yea I found some guys right after I posted.

Look up Idelle Packer
Alexander Technique - Integrative physical therapy - Idelle Packer - Body Sense

[anonymous122511]

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

Look up Idelle Packer
Alexander Technique - Integrative physical therapy - Idelle Packer - Body Sense

Several years ago Don recommended someone in my part of the world who turned out to be excellent.

[Don Higdon]

"The process of coming to a conclusion is vastly more important than the conclusion itself."
Jeff - This statement, from your signature, is quintessential Alexander thinking.

[anonymous122511]

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

"The process of coming to a conclusion is vastly more important than the conclusion itself."
Jeff - This statement, from your signature, is quintessential Alexander thinking.

In a more sane society Alexander thinking would be taught as a preventive measure before a reactive one.

[flowinowen]

Hey Lynn, here's a follow up on my Alexander Technique appointment yesterday.

It was Idelle Packer (thanks Don). She was all about posture. First she addressed how I sat and how I got into my seat, which we spent about thirty minutes on. We did everything in front of a mirror, it was amazing how much she loosened my seating stance up. It seemed to be highly related to the mental side of yoga, the loosening of the body with the help of the mind. She next went onto my bass posture; Pizz (she addressed how I played on both parts of the neck) and arco playing. She had me play pizz first, which she then targeted my spine. She would have me hold the bass away from me, correct my stance, then had me bring the bass into me and play. It was a little different playing to a different stance, but after a few minutes, it felt fine. Same thing with the arco playing.


lastly she helped me with my stretches I do before I gig. These were about elongating the arm before stretching, a sort of pre stretch. Everything was very slow and methodical.

So far, this is a cool and interesting technique. I couldn't tell you if It has saved me from surgery, but I have booked a few more sessions. I know our next one is only focused on breathing and the feet. Hope this helps you or anyone else in the bass world with health problems like me!

[Lynn Seaton]

Thank you for the update. I think the concept of bringing the bass to ourselves instead of conforming to the bass is very important. I hope you heal well and rapidly. Good Luck.