Alexander Technique for Singers
While I was teaching an Introduction to Alexander Technique class for piano teachers, I realized how relevant our discussion could be to singers. In this article, I’ll adapt some key ideas from that class and apply them to the challenge of singing while sitting down.
Hopefully you usually stand when you’re singing, but if you work as a church or choral musician, you may have to sit while you sing, especially in rehearsal. Also, you’re probably sitting for a large portion of the time before you sing–in the car on the way to the venue, backstage, etc.
In general, we’re better at using our torso when we stand rather than when we sit. Notice I said “using” the torso rather than “posture”--here’s why. Our use of our torso tends to deteriorate when sitting, especially if we’re waiting around (it is a LONG time for singers before they get to sing during Beethoven’s 9th!!). I’m not a singer myself, but in the bit of choir singing I did in college, I certainly found it more difficult to stand up and sing after I had been sitting poorly.
So here are some simple tips that will help you “sit better”, and hopefully make the transition into singing a little easier for you.
Try this exercise: Alternate between sitting and standing. Do you feel a change in the way you’re using your torso? We don’t need to use our torso any differently when we sit. Bring your attention to the sit bones and let your torso continue to “stand” while you sit down.
If you’re singing while seated, bring your attention to the sit bones, and draw an imaginary line from the sit bones to the head. That simple thought might help you notice some unhelpful habits, like leaning forward or craning the neck toward the music and conductor. If you find yourself doing that, imagine the music coming to you, rather than you going to it.
Lie down in a semi-supine position before singing, and feel the contact of your back to the floor. When you sit down again, this simple practice should help you notice if you’re tensing in the lower back, possibly in eagerness to “get things right” or follow a conductor. If you can, start a constructive rest practice–there are so many benefits! I recommend Imogen Ragone’s monthly sessions.
Try to take a short walk after getting out of the car and going into a venue. Most car seats are angled so that our knees are higher than our hips. This makes the thigh jam into the hip joint instead of allowing it to release away from the hips. Taking a short walk should help to alleviate any tightness in the hips from the car ride.
Notice how you’re sitting pre-performance–are your legs angling slightly down and away from the hip joint, or are they angling toward them, like they were in the car? If you’re sitting too low and they’re angling toward the hips, you’re probably going to feel tight in your hips when you stand up. If you’re sitting too high, you might feel it in your back and it might be harder to balance on your feet. Either way, try to give yourself time to walk around a bit before singing. A lot of you do this instinctively during your pre-performance pacing. 😀
I’m a big fan of Alexander Technique and I know it would be helpful to you in countless ways if you studied it, so if you can, try it! Here’s a link to a great organization where you can find online classes and teachers (or in-person if you’re in the Philadelphia area).
Whether you decide to study or not, I hope these tips can get you started. Let me know in the comments below, and subscribe to our mailing list so I can notify you when there are new videos or blog posts that would be helpful to you!