Masters of invention: Casals and Menuhin and the Alexander Technique

Artist in Balance was involved in a spring project for strings at the Utrecht Conservatory in March

There are some master musicians whose discoveries about playing are so revolutionary that they are often still misunderstood. Their ideas and procedures were ahead of their time, and can now be better understood through advancements in science.

This was a chance for the conservatory musicians to understand and apply some of the greatest discoveries about string playing made by two master teachers of the 20^th century, Pablo Casals and Yehudi Menuhin. The principles they each discovered are useful for all string players. 

Utrecht Conservatory violin teacher Lis Perry, a student of Menuhin, cello teacher Ran Varon and violin teacher Joyce Tan were joined by cellist Vivien Mackie, who studied with Pablo Casals, for a week of private lessons, master classes, workshops. The Alexander teachers of the Utrecht Alexander Technique Institute for Musicians gave private lessons, and a yoga instructor, former viola teacher Prunella Pacey, gave the students  first hand experience of the role of yoga in the work of Menuhin.

Guest master teacher Vivien Mackie

Vivien Mackie is the author of the book "Just Play Naturally," an account of Vivien Mackie's cello studies for three years with Pablo Casals and the parallels she discovered afterwards with the Alexander Technique, in which she later trained. One of Casals' edicts, 'do only what is necessary,' points at once to a parallel with Alexander's teaching.

Vivien Mackie is also a renowned Alexander teacher.By guiding the student with her hands while they play she can allow the student to experience the physicality of Casal’s teaching first hand, and not just through words alone. 



Expanding the work for children

Pilot Study at Oundle School, England

Violinist in Balance is working at the Oundle School in Petersborough, England to develop equipment and curriculum for young violinists and violists. Together with our team of chin rest and shoulder rest experts, and Oundle's excellent violin/viola teachers and Alexander Technique teachers, we are:

• building a curriculum for teaching staff and children
• developing new equipment for teachers and students
• setting criteria and fitting procedures for yearly equipment checks as children grow

Results of this two year project will be presented at an MMA symposium at the Royal College of Music in 2013, date to be announced. (Music Masters and Mistresses Association of Great Britain)  Or just check our site under the Oundle section for the latest news.

Announcing Equilibrio Chin Rests

After five years of intensive study and applied research, we are thrilled to announce the expected release in 2012 of the Equilibrio Chin Rest Series in partnership with Wolf Products. These chin rests offer new choices and new customization to violinists seeking better balance, better instrument positioning, and better health.

Details on the chin rests are available from the Wolf Products web site.