The Alexander Technique, Can it help your playing |
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Feb 19 2021, 07:16 AM
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Hello folks,
During a sleepless night and still having issues with a neurological neck/shoulder/arm injury sustained last year, for which I couldn't get any physiotherapy due to the pandemic as it wasn't considered urgent, I was browsing the Internet for alternative self treatment. I came across a fascinating article about a technique that is used in music schools around the world. It's a long read but very interesting. I think I might start to investigate more. The article mentions Todd's (and my) much loved classical seated position and how it is beneficial for playing and closely matches your standing position. It also mentions many guitarists who shun the modern low slung guitar stance. Quote from the article but keep in mind the article and concept goes way beyond just playing position. "The classical guitarist typically sits with the guitar supported on a raised left leg, whilst the contemporary guitarist takes what is considered to be the more casual approach of having the guitar rest on the right leg. It’s much easier to maintain the integrity of the entire spine and the head, neck, torso relationship with the ‘classical’ seated position. The relative location of the guitar to the player can also be much closer to that when played standing, compared to the casual style, which maintains a consistency between the two. For this to be the case the guitar needs not be strung too low on the strap when standing which may go against some cultural views on the ‘fashion’ of wearing a guitar. If the music you are playing is reasonably simple it’s possible to get by being handicapped in this way. There are also a number of proficient players who get around the problem by resting the guitar on their left leg, which they have raised by putting their foot on the monitors at the front of a professional stage set-up, during difficult passages (e.g. Slash and Zakk Wylde). The fashion for having the guitar hang low is mostly within rock and punk music, here’s a short list of players who make life easier for themselves and don’t feel like their street credibility has been compromised, it may be useful if you can identify with one or more of them: Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Marr, Jeff Beck, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Brian May, Pete Townsend, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Graham Coxon, Angus Young, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Alex Lifeson, Joe Walsh, Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony Iommi, Allan Holdsworth, Noel Gallagher, Caleb Followill, Joe Bonamassa." Do any of you have any experience with this technique in guitar playing or even live in general? Here's the article https://www.alexander-technique-online.com/articles/guitar/ Homepage: https://www.alexander-technique-online.com/ Free ebook: https://www.alexander-technique-online.com/...nder-technique/ Video of one guitarists experience : https://youtu.be/jNKFZlEBVKQ Enjoy and discuss. Stay safe Phil -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE  “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Feb 19 2021, 09:31 AM
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I think Cliff Richard's guitarist wears his unbelievably high but it was for too a prank on tour. His guitar tech used to raise it a 1/4" every couple of days so he didn't notice and now it's a permanent thing.
It's worth reading that article though Ben  Cheers Phil -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Mar 15 2021, 04:08 PM
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Rick Graham's classical teacher was very strict on posture, he talks about it in one of his videos.
Also guitarist and teacher Jamie Andreas is really big on posture and reducing unnecessary tension This post has been edited by PosterBoy: Mar 15 2021, 04:17 PM -------------------- My SoundCloud
Gear Tyler Burning Water 2K Burny RLG90 with BK Emeralds Fender US Tele with BK Piledrivers Epiphone 335 with Suhr Thornbuckers PRS SE Custom 24-08 Ax8 Fessenden SD10 PSG Quilter TT15 |
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Apr 9 2021, 03:24 AM
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It's actually very similar to what I try to teach in bootcamp. Lessons learned on guitar are directly applicable to life. Patience, practice, persistence, proper technique. All of these things are valuable and can be applied to daily living
 QUOTE (Phil66 @ Feb 19 2021, 02:16 AM)  Hello folks, During a sleepless night and still having issues with a neurological neck/shoulder/arm injury sustained last year, for which I couldn't get any physiotherapy due to the pandemic as it wasn't considered urgent, I was browsing the Internet for alternative self treatment. I came across a fascinating article about a technique that is used in music schools around the world. It's a long read but very interesting. I think I might start to investigate more. The article mentions Todd's (and my) much loved classical seated position and how it is beneficial for playing and closely matches your standing position. It also mentions many guitarists who shun the modern low slung guitar stance. Quote from the article but keep in mind the article and concept goes way beyond just playing position. "The classical guitarist typically sits with the guitar supported on a raised left leg, whilst the contemporary guitarist takes what is considered to be the more casual approach of having the guitar rest on the right leg. It’s much easier to maintain the integrity of the entire spine and the head, neck, torso relationship with the ‘classical’ seated position. The relative location of the guitar to the player can also be much closer to that when played standing, compared to the casual style, which maintains a consistency between the two. For this to be the case the guitar needs not be strung too low on the strap when standing which may go against some cultural views on the ‘fashion’ of wearing a guitar. If the music you are playing is reasonably simple it’s possible to get by being handicapped in this way. There are also a number of proficient players who get around the problem by resting the guitar on their left leg, which they have raised by putting their foot on the monitors at the front of a professional stage set-up, during difficult passages (e.g. Slash and Zakk Wylde). The fashion for having the guitar hang low is mostly within rock and punk music, here’s a short list of players who make life easier for themselves and don’t feel like their street credibility has been compromised, it may be useful if you can identify with one or more of them: Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Marr, Jeff Beck, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Brian May, Pete Townsend, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Graham Coxon, Angus Young, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Alex Lifeson, Joe Walsh, Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony Iommi, Allan Holdsworth, Noel Gallagher, Caleb Followill, Joe Bonamassa." Do any of you have any experience with this technique in guitar playing or even live in general? Here's the article https://www.alexander-technique-online.com/articles/guitar/ Homepage: https://www.alexander-technique-online.com/ Free ebook: https://www.alexander-technique-online.com/...nder-technique/ Video of one guitarists experience : https://youtu.be/jNKFZlEBVKQ Enjoy and discuss. Stay safe Phil |
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May 17 2021, 03:09 PM
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I saw a video of me playing standing up recently and my posture is terrible my right shoulder is jacked up I'm hunched etc.
I'm going to practice more in front of a mirror and try and correct this -------------------- My SoundCloud
Gear Tyler Burning Water 2K Burny RLG90 with BK Emeralds Fender US Tele with BK Piledrivers Epiphone 335 with Suhr Thornbuckers PRS SE Custom 24-08 Ax8 Fessenden SD10 PSG Quilter TT15 |
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