Voice and the Alexander Technique

Rating:
Summary: A book we have been waiting for
Review: As a singer, voice teacher, and Alexander Technique teacher myself, I've been hoping someone would write this book. Jane Heirich has done a great job of synthesizing the viewpoints of bel canto pedagogy and the Alexander Technique. The writing is clear and remarkably succinct (considering the breadth of issues it covers), and the book is attractive and beautifully illustrated. As editor of Alexander Technique International's journal, ExChange, I'm recommending this both to colleagues and students (even as a text for introductory voice classes). Especially with the voice, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure--good coordination allows for efficient reflex functioning of the voice in speaking and singing, and eliminates the need for "fixes" and gimmicky "techniques."

Rating:
Summary: Clear and practical, lovely book
Review: As a teacher of the Alexander Technique, I've read many basic and more esoteric books on the subject. This is one of the clearest and most useful I've read with the addition of emphasis on the voice. The book is fun to hold -- the colors and layout invite one in. The diagrams, explanations and explorations are unusually direct and clear. It's a unique resource for vocalists. Even though I'm not a singer, I have begun to use this book both personally and professionally, since I use my speaking voice as do others.

Rating:
Summary: A much-needed resource
Review: Finally someone has written it -a book that explains the Alexander Technique (AT) in a warm, generous style, and also offers simple and sophisticated integrations of AT into voice work.

This book is also a terrific introduction to bel canto singing with a foundation in voice science.

Clear textual explanations are enriched in multiple ways, making this book user-friendly for people with a variety of learning styles. There are dozens of anatomical sketches, photos of human figures in motion and diagrams. Sidebar stories of students learning the AT and achieving vocal victory abound. A few poems dot the manuscript. There are numerous "to do's" (vocal explorations) to conduct alone or with a partner. Musical exercises are written in notation with ample explanation. There is a companion CD, most helpful with its piano accompaniment. Could one have asked for more? There is even a diagram of a keyboard with note names.

One can learn neither singing nor the AT entirely from a book, but this one gives the reader ample information and suggestions that will support self study for weeks and even months.