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Review
"Indirect Procedures provides musicians with their first authoritative overview of the Alexander Technique that is specifically directed to the profession. Alcantara has made a significant and valuable contribution."--Piano & Keyboard
"This is one of the most thorough discussions of the Alexander technique to appear in recent years, and the musical component renders it unique. Recommended to all libraries with music collections."--Choice
."..teeming with resources and ideas, ... musicians will appreciate the specificity of its technical tete-a-tete."--Chamber Music
"Indirect Procedures provides musicians with their first authoritative overview of the Alexander Technique that is specifically directed to the profession. Alcantara has made a significant and valuable contribution."--Piano & Keyboard
Product Description
The problems of a musician may have many causes and many possible solutions. While working conditions, stress, and instrument and furniture design are all significant factors, the most important aspect of a musician's life remains not what is done to them, but what they do to themselves. F.M. Alexander (1869-1955) saw the individual as a whole, and talked not of `the body' but of `the self'; not of `posture', but of `use'. The aim of his technique is not to teach you to do what is right, but to help you stop doing what is wrong, through a series of practical procedures which awaken your awareness and allow you to develop your innate potential. The Alexander Technique applies to all areas of musical activity, from technique, sound production, and interpretation, to daily practice, rehearsal routines, and the mitigating of stage fright and health problems. This book, by an experienced professional musician and Alexander teacher, is the first to deal specifically with the applications of the Technique to music making.
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One of the great cliches of our time is that Man is indivisible, his body, mind, and spirit inseparably interwoven. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
One of the great cliches of our time is that Man is indivisible, his body, mind, and spirit inseparably interwoven. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is really only suitable for those who have already had Alexander Technique lessons. The author demonstrates how the principles of the Technique can be used by musicians and the book is equally helpful for performers and teachers. The chapters on stage fright and daily practising I found particularly interesting. There are lots of ideas that need to be tried out on an instrument, and the author manages to present his material in such a way that it can be applied to any instrument, singing and/or conducting.
I am a little puzzled as to why descriptions of Alexander procedures are included, because,as the author states, the Technique cannot be learnt by reading a set of instructions. Also, as the author states, all Alexander teachers use a slightly different approach. I did, however enjoy reading about the philosophy behind the Alexander Technique and there are some really interesting photos. If you are an Alexander enthusiast and an instrunmental/singing teacher or performer, this book will help you apply the Technique to your playing, singing, teaching and conducting.
I am a little puzzled as to why descriptions of Alexander procedures are included, because,as the author states, the Technique cannot be learnt by reading a set of instructions. Also, as the author states, all Alexander teachers use a slightly different approach. I did, however enjoy reading about the philosophy behind the Alexander Technique and there are some really interesting photos. If you are an Alexander enthusiast and an instrunmental/singing teacher or performer, this book will help you apply the Technique to your playing, singing, teaching and conducting.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
9 reviews
42 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Musicians Read This!
12 Jun 2001
Format:Paperback
Indirect Procedures stands by itself in the world of Alexander Technique books. Written by a cellist and Alexander teacher, it is the only book I know of exclusively devoted to musicians' issues. At the same time, it is a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practice of Alexander Technique with some photo illustrations. One caveat - Indirect Procedures is not light reading and this certainly sets it apart from most self-improvement books. It is thorough and detailed and very serious.
This book addresses virtually all of the habits of muscle use that can lead muscians down the road to injuries and limited playing and performing. Beginning with my conservatory training 30 years ago, I learned that the most important part of making music was "delivering the goods." Mastering repertoire was the name of the game. If my arms hurt or my wrists ached, that was just part of being a musician. It was inevitable. Now we know it isn't. And De Alcantara's book shows musicians ways to understand movement, habit, and posture that can transform music-making from a high stress and often painful event back to the joy that it was when they began playing.
This book is particularly useful for musicians who don't have access to an Alexander teacher and would like to incorporate some of the technique into their approach to music. It is also an aid to those who are working with an Alexander teacher who is less experienced with musicians. The book is dry and detailed but absolutely invaluable if you really want to make Alexander Technique a serious part of your musical life.
26 of 29 people found the following review helpful
A beautiful, well-written book on the Alexander Technique
25 Oct 1999
Format:Paperback
This is an outstanding book for those who wish to gain a deeper and more finely tuned understanding of the subtleties of the Alexander Technique. It is beautifully written and engrossing. The mechanics of the Alexander Technique are well reviewed . The strength of the book, however, is the contemplative and insightful approach to the intellectual, emotional, and creative aspects of the Technique, the understanding of which is vital to its mastery. I recommend this book very highly, but not as a first book.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Not just for Cellists
10 July 2004
Format:Hardcover
This book is an excellent and precise treatment of the Alexander Technique. Although his examples are primarily for Cellists, Pianists, and singers, there's much that would apply to any musician. Occasionally academic, this book is well worth the patience. A moderate number of pictures are present.
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