However, I find that performance and drumming for me can at times become consuming to the point where you are unable to think. I think ideally, I would be sat upright with good posture to allow full freedom of movement. I have noticed that I do not intentionally do it, but I just slip into these different positions and postures throughout my performances. For example, in certain scenarios, I feel as if I should be hunched over to play a certain feel or groove. However, I have a few dilemmas with the Alexander technique. This made me feel as if I was playing on top of the drums, rather than into them.

Again, like when I was walking around after the initial workshop, I felt a good few inches taller. I felt that if I was hunched forward then I’d be restricting arm and muscle movements that should be natural and unforced. … I have also tried to improve my posture when sat at the drum kit. Here is a segment of my write up, showing some of my thoughts: I wrote up my experience of the Alexander Technique, and how I have tried to incorporate it into my performance and every day life. I’ve been working on it quite a lot, and have been trying to improve my posture. The more I look into it, the more critical it seems to be in terms of performance, and especially drumming in my case. I was a little sceptical at first as I had no experience of this whatsoever, but it really has made me realise the importance of good posture, relaxation and movement. We had a great workshop on the Alexander Technique with Niamh Dowling.

Jeff beck midi files