The Alexander Technique for Musicians

Combines tried-and-tested advice from experts and first-hand accounts of training by students

The Alexander Technique for Musicians is a unique guide for all musicians, providing a practical, informative approach to being a successful and comfortable performer. Perfect as an introduction to the Alexander Technique, or to supplement the reader's lessons, the book looks at daily and last-minute practice, breathing, performance and performance anxiety, teacher-pupil relationships, ensemble skills, and the application of the Alexander Technique to instrumental and vocal work. Complete with diagrams and photographs to aid the learning process, as well as step-by-step procedures and diary entries written by participating students, The Alexander Technique for Musicians gives tried-and-tested advice, drawn from the authors' twenty-plus years of experience working with musicians, providing an essential handbook for musicians seeking the most from themselves and their art.

Judith Kleinman trained as a classical musician and teacher at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has a busy professional career as a double bass player. She was a member of the orchestra of the English National Opera and City of London Sinfonia and now freelances in London on modern and period instruments. She qualified as an Alexander teacher 20 years ago, having trained with Patrick MacDonald and Shoshana Kamanitz. For the last 10 years, she has been one of the Alexander teachers at the Royal College of Music and also teaches at the Royal Academy of Music's Junior Department. Judith is co-director of the London Centre for Alexander Technique, which trains new Alexander teachers. She also has a private practice and has collaborated with Systemic psychotherapists on research, combining Alexander work with therapy. She writes about the technique, particularly about teaching young people and has presented workshops to the general public and the Alexander world on her approach to the work. She has worked for the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT) on Council, coordinating the Arts and Education group. Judith is a qualified teacher of Tai-Chi and is interested in combining movement with Alexander work.