Meagan Johnson joins Tanner Guss to discuss the Alexander Technique as a wellness practice for musicians. She breaks down what the technique is, the benefits it offers, and talks us through several exercises. Our conversation also explores performance anxiety, taking your play seriously, the problems of overly goal-oriented learning, and how to find a certified Alexander Technique teacher.
“Alexander technique helped me to become not only a musician who had more ease and more freedom in my performing, but it also made me a more patient, calm, and emotionally resilient person.”
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What is The Alexander Technique?
As Ms Johnson describes it, “The Alexander Technique helps us regain our natural poise, curiosity, and freedom of movement. It is a practical method of mind-body education: a process of growing and refining awareness, unlearning old habits that can do us harm, and discovering a joyful coordination and facility in everything we do.” Although The Alexander Technique was not invented specifically for musicians, many prominent artists promote the technique. This list includes Yehudi Menuhin, Paul McCartney, Renée Fleming, and Sting.
Actionable Advice
- “I have to do it right, and I have to do it fast.” vs. “I’m at ease in myself, and I have time.” Which set of conditions is most conducive for learning and performing music? I think most of us prefer making music from a place without fear and a need to be “right”. Unfortunately, we often don’t give ourselves a chance to be in this place because we’re hyper-focused on gaining our end desire. We can use this simple exercise to bring mindfulness to the process, and avoid mindless, and destructive “end-gaining”.
- You can read about The Alexander Technique in a book, but the best way to learn is one on one with a certified teacher. To get the most out of private instructions you should go for at least 3-6 lessons (weekly or bi-weekly). Research suggests this is the amount necessary to build a strong, personal foundation. However, beyond 6 weeks there is still much to be gained from regular lessons, or from periodic check up lessons. You can find a teacher near you using this website!
- Sometimes in order to make a change in our habits we have to be willing to try something new. In order to try something new we have to be willing to be wrong. Because that something new might not work the first time! Give yourself and your students space to be wrong. What would have if you missed that note/played out of tune/wrote a bad composition ON PURPOSE? Most of the time we actually make something beautiful, creative, and natural when we try to make something “wrong” or “bad”.
- Try Constructive Rest! You can use this to organize yourself before practicing. Additionally, if you’re becoming frustrated or tense in your practice you can use this as a respite from your work, and collect yourself before continuing.
Coda Questions
- What is your go to feel good album? Trio Mediaeval’s Folk Songs
- Who’s a musician in your life living a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life? I admire someone like Yo-Yo Ma who has really allowed his musicianship to expand beyond simply giving performances. How he is interacting culturally and exploring important topics. “What does music mean? How can it be harnessed as a force for good in the world?”
- What advice would you give to a young musician? Give yourself time. Try to remember that you have time. You don’t have to make it to “the top” as fast as possible. You can be in your own process, and your own process is beautiful and valuable.
- What’s some great advice about happiness you’ve received? Be able to practice gratitude in any situation. We can always find something, even if it’s small, to be grateful for. Sometimes just noticing that one small thing changes a situation from one that feels hopeless and debilitatingly awful, to one that I know isn’t so great right now but is going to pass.
- What do you think your purpose as a musician is? I don’t know yet! I would hope that some of my work is helping musicians to be more at ease with themselves and more balanced in their humanities.
Also Mentioned
- Meagan Johnson: Website, Facebook
- Featured Track: Orchard Invisible, Amasong
- Alexander Technique: Official Website
- Pedro de Alcantara: Indirect Procedures
- Feldenkrais Method: Official Website