The Effect of Lessons in the Alexander Technique on Music Performance in High and Low Stress Situations

Abstract

Twenty-five music students taking classes in performance were randomly assigned either to an experimental group who received a course of 15 lessons in the Alexander technique, or to a control. A variety of measures were taken on four occasions: in both high and low stress situations before and after treatment. The experimental group showed improvement relative to the control on the following measures: overall music and technical quality as judged by independent experts blind to subjects' condition assignment, heart rate variance, self-rated anxiety and positive attitude to performance. However, with the exception of heart rate variance, these effects were restricted to performance in the low stress class situations. There were no significant effects on height, peak flow or misuse as judged on the basis of videorecordings of behaviour by independent experts in the Alexander technique.

Fundamentos biomecânicos da postura e suas implicações na performance da flauta

“…O estudo sistemático de qualquer instrumento musical não é uma tarefa simples e implica numa demanda física e emocional difícil de imaginar por quem não se dedica a essa atividade. Muitos pesquisadores reconhecem que tal demanda afeta significativamente a carreira do músico instrumentista e pesquisas importantes têm sido conduzidas sobre este assunto (TEIXEIRA, 2011;MERRIMAN et al, 1986;CRASKE;CRAIG, 1984;FRY, 1986aFRY, , 1986bVALENTINE et al, 1995;STEPTOE, 1989;STEPTOE;FIDLER, 2001;DAWSON, 2001: WARRINGTON et al, 2002SAKAI, 1992SAKAI, , 2002SANTIAGO, 2001SANTIAGO, , 2004SANTIAGO, , 2005SANTIAGO, , 2006SANTIAGO, , 2008COSTA, 2005;CAMPOS, 2006;ALVES, 2007;FONSECA J.G., 2007).…”

Evidence for the effectiveness of Alexander Technique lessons in medical and health-related conditions: a systematic review

“…AT instruction has been employed for many years in the fields of acting and music, with objectively assessed improvements in performance (8)(9)(10). A systematic review of the effectiveness of AT instruction for different medical conditions was conducted in 2003, (11) but, given subsequent research and the increased use of non-conventional-medicine approaches to healthcare, we consider it timely to review the available evidence.…”

Alexander Tekni̇ği̇’ni̇n Müzi̇k Performansi Ve Performans Kaygisi Üzeri̇ne Etki̇leri̇

“…According to the interviews with the AT group, the participants' awareness of tension increased, and their ability to relax improved. It was concluded that 15 AT lessons were not enough in order to apply the technique in high stress situations (Valentine, et al, 1995).…”