This brand new Summer School workshop is designed specifically for instrumentalists who wish to improve their technique, reduce tension, and enhance their overall performance.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
The Alexander Technique, a proven method for increasing body awareness and movement efficiency, will help you develop healthier habits with your instrument. The course will introduce key principles of the technique, followed by individualised guidance, working with the tutor in front of the group.
What will we cover?
Throughout this course, we will cover the following topics:
- Introduction to Alexander Technique, History and Purpose
- Awareness, Freedom of Movement, and Balance
- The Importance of Posture and Alignment in Instrumental Playing and the effect this can have on Tone Control/Sound
- Understanding the Primary Control: Head-Neck-Back Relationship
- The Role of Inhibition and Direction in Movement
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Understand the underlying concepts of the Alexander Technique, develop greater awareness of how you use your body with your instrument, and be able to apply aspects of the technique to your playing in order to play with greater freedom and control.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Whether you're relatively new to your instrument or a seasoned performer, this workshop will provide valuable tools to enhance both your playing and general well-being.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
In each class you will receive one-on-one attention to refine your posture, alignment, and technique at the your instrument. You will learn how to release tension, increase flexibility, and achieve greater ease in your playing.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Materials for this course will be provided by the tutor and posted in Google Classroom, our virtual learning environment for students. Please bring your instrument with you. You may also bring solo repertoire to work on with the tutor, and should be prepared to practise between sessions.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offers a wide range of piano and instrumental classes from beginner to advanced levels. If you are new to City Lit piano classes, please take a moment to read our Piano Department page, which lists our full sequence of piano classes.
Shelagh Sutherland is established as one of Britain's leading and most versatile pianists. She enjoys a varied scheduled freelancing with the major London orchestras, particularly the Philharmonia and the London Sinfonietta, while also having a busy teaching schedule at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and teaching Alexander Technique at the University of Surrey and now at Guildhall. Shelagh enjoys teaching students of all ages and especially at City Lit, where there is a wonderfully supportive environment for both staff and students, encouraging genuine learning and passionate interest in a wide variety of subjects. She has taught year-long courses and summer-school short courses at City Lit since 2008 and also co-ordinated the keyboard department at Junior Guildhall since 1990. Shelagh has performed in all major British festivals including the Proms, and has toured Europe, the USA, Canada and South America. She has recorded many solos works for BBC Radio 3. As a scholar at the Royal Academy of Music, she qualified in piano, singing and violin and was awarded a British Council Research Scholarship to specialist in Czech music in Prague.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/alexander-technique-for-instrumentalists3005911Alexander Technique for instrumentalistshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Musicianship_for_singers-1024.jpg9999GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Playing an instrument/Courses/New courses228513141351157217431228513141351<p>This brand new Summer School workshop is designed specifically for instrumentalists who wish to improve their technique, reduce tension, and enhance their overall performance.</p>003005902Alexander Technique for instrumentalists9999https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Musicianship_for_singers-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-07-09T00:00:00+00:00Some experience, AdvancedJul 2026Performing artsME9209999Alexander Technique for instrumentalists996999Shelagh Sutherlandalexander-technique-for-instrumentalists/me920-2526<p>This brand new Summer School workshop is designed specifically for instrumentalists who wish to improve their technique, reduce tension, and enhance their overall performance.</p>0000-Available|2026-07-09 00:00:00<p>The Alexander Technique, a proven method for increasing body awareness and movement efficiency, will help you develop healthier habits with your instrument. The course will introduce key principles of the technique, followed by individualised guidance, working with the tutor in front of the group.</p><p>This brand new Summer School workshop is designed specifically for instrumentalists who wish to improve their technique, reduce tension, and enhance their overall performance.</p><p>Throughout this course, we will cover the following topics:<br/><br/>- Introduction to Alexander Technique, History and Purpose<br/><br/>- Awareness, Freedom of Movement, and Balance<br/><br/>- The Importance of Posture and Alignment in Instrumental Playing and the effect this can have on Tone Control/Sound<br/><br/>- Understanding the Primary Control: Head-Neck-Back Relationship<br/><br/>- The Role of Inhibition and Direction in Movement</p><p>Understand the underlying concepts of the Alexander Technique, develop greater awareness of how you use your body with your instrument, and be able to apply aspects of the technique to your playing in order to play with greater freedom and control.</p><p>Whether you're relatively new to your instrument or a seasoned performer, this workshop will provide valuable tools to enhance both your playing and general well-being.</p><p>In each class you will receive one-on-one attention to refine your posture, alignment, and technique at the your instrument. You will learn how to release tension, increase flexibility, and achieve greater ease in your playing.</p><p>Materials for this course will be provided by the tutor and posted in Google Classroom, our virtual learning environment for students. Please bring your instrument with you. You may also bring solo repertoire to work on with the tutor, and should be prepared to practise between sessions.</p><p>City Lit offers a wide range of piano and instrumental classes from beginner to advanced levels. If you are new to City Lit piano classes, please take a moment to read our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/choosing-piano-class-city-lit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Piano Department page</a>, which lists our full sequence of piano classes.</p>MusicPlaying an instrumentvirtual999969ME920NONEThu09/07/26 - 16/07/2615:00 - 18:0015:0018:002 sessions (over 2 weeks)21 to 4 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetShelagh SutherlandSome experience, AdvancedAvailable courses2026-07-09T00:00:00+00:00Jul 2026Performing arts9999Alexander Technique for instrumentalistsalexander-technique-for-instrumentalists/me920-2526<p>This brand new Summer School workshop is designed specifically for instrumentalists who wish to improve their technique, reduce tension, and enhance their overall performance.</p>0000-Available|2026-07-09 00:00:00<p>The Alexander Technique, a proven method for increasing body awareness and movement efficiency, will help you develop healthier habits with your instrument. The course will introduce key principles of the technique, followed by individualised guidance, working with the tutor in front of the group.</p><p>This brand new Summer School workshop is designed specifically for instrumentalists who wish to improve their technique, reduce tension, and enhance their overall performance.</p><p>Throughout this course, we will cover the following topics:<br/><br/>- Introduction to Alexander Technique, History and Purpose<br/><br/>- Awareness, Freedom of Movement, and Balance<br/><br/>- The Importance of Posture and Alignment in Instrumental Playing and the effect this can have on Tone Control/Sound<br/><br/>- Understanding the Primary Control: Head-Neck-Back Relationship<br/><br/>- The Role of Inhibition and Direction in Movement</p><p>Understand the underlying concepts of the Alexander Technique, develop greater awareness of how you use your body with your instrument, and be able to apply aspects of the technique to your playing in order to play with greater freedom and control.</p><p>Whether you're relatively new to your instrument or a seasoned performer, this workshop will provide valuable tools to enhance both your playing and general well-being.</p><p>In each class you will receive one-on-one attention to refine your posture, alignment, and technique at the your instrument. You will learn how to release tension, increase flexibility, and achieve greater ease in your playing.</p><p>Materials for this course will be provided by the tutor and posted in Google Classroom, our virtual learning environment for students. Please bring your instrument with you. You may also bring solo repertoire to work on with the tutor, and should be prepared to practise between sessions.</p><p>City Lit offers a wide range of piano and instrumental classes from beginner to advanced levels. If you are new to City Lit piano classes, please take a moment to read our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/choosing-piano-class-city-lit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Piano Department page</a>, which lists our full sequence of piano classes.</p>MusicPlaying an instrumentconfigurable
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