NECK TENSION

Alan, I'm suddenly starting to hold a lot of tension in my neck. It feels tight and unpleasant. This is not tension that is coming from lack of function in my hand/arm. Rather, it seems to me that the tension starts in my neck and, if anything, works its way down. I think it is largely postural. I've been experimenting with simply finding a more balanced and well aligned posture, and it seems to help. In general though, my head seems to want to either recline too far back --- almost as though I am trying to get out of my own way when I play the music... or too far forward --- in a "I'm-trying-really-hard-to-sight-read-this-complicated-piano-music" way. Suggestions? JM *edit: I addressed this to Alan, but I actually invite anyone and everyone to respond.

Hi, John! In terms of neck tension and postural problems (in general) there's nothing like the Alexander Technique. Alan would recomend you the Feldenkrais Method too. Have you heard about them?

Hi, John! In terms of neck tension and postural problems (in general) there's nothing like the Alexander Technique. Alan would recomend you the Feldenkrais Method too. Have you heard about them? Hi Walt. Thanks for the response. I seriously have been considering finding a Feldenkrais teacher here. Will keep considering it. It's also good that I'll be studying with Alan this summer. In the mornings, we start out with group "Awareness Through Movement" classes.

I'll second what Walt said. I've been learning the Alexander Technique for a few years now. It's very liberating when you can notice all of the muscular contractions in your body (particularly the neck and ankles, from my experience) that you associate with an activity that do not need to happen. Once you start to notice them you can inhibit them before they happen, which allows a lengthening and freedom along your spine. As I understand it, the Feldenkrais Method approaches things from a different angle but can have very similar results - it looks directly at function and quality of movement, whereas the Alexander Technique is more about noticing and inhibiting habits. I'm very interested at learning from the Feldenkrais classes on Alan's workshop in Bonn.

Are you sure it's not derived from something in your hands? In my own experience, neck tension almost universally derives from something lacking in my hands, and 90% of that from something lacking in my thumb. I am still, myself, developing my thumb's role and resolving still more neck tension in my own playing even this late in the game... My first intuitive response to your question is to take another look at your hand/neck relationship... you might be missing something... All best! AFF