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Alexander Technique for Musicians

 

Ratings

Overall Rating:

3.5 stars
Content Quality: 3.5 stars
Effectiveness: 3 stars
Ease of Use: 3.5 stars
Reviewed: Oct 29, 2005 by Music
Overview: This site is a collection of essays and testimonials on Alexander Technique for Musicians, including a minimal number of pictures and one audio file. The essays and testimonials include topics for musicians in general, flutist, string players and singers. The site also includes links to other Alexander Technique sites for musicians.
Learning Goals: The major learning goals is to introduce music students to the use and philosophy of Alexander Technique. It also encourages students to consider the Alexander Technique as a part of their performance routine; to serve as a resource for those wishing to become familiar with the Alexander Technique.
Target Student Population: The target audience for this site is anyone interested in Alexander Technique from high school to adult.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: No prerequisite skills are necessary to use or understand this site. The site assumes basic proficiency in standard performance techniques and some familiarity with human anatomy.
Type of Material: The site is a collection/reference material.
Recommended Uses: The site may be used as an introduction to Alexander Technique, for a class discussion topic or as a reference.
Technical Requirements: The site requires a standard browser and Quicktime (for one audio file.)

Evaluation and Observation

Content Quality

Rating: 3.5 stars
Strengths: Information on specific Alexander Techniques for musicians, especially flutist, string players and singers is minimal. However the information on the site is accurate and there is a great deal of general information on the site. The content of the site is directed primarily at providing information on the effect of Alexander Technique on individual musicians as well as providing a general frame of reference regarding the philosophy behind the technique. The site includes a number of links to additional Alexander Techniques sites.
Concerns: The site is lacking illustrations, pictures or multimedia. It does not provide an exposition on specific Alexander Technique for musicians.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating: 3 stars
Strengths: The testimonials may provide a point of departure for a class discussion on Alexander Technique. The site could be an effective reference or research tool.
Concerns: Site would benifit by the inclusion of additional multimedia examples. The site
is very text heavy: it could benefit from chunking or parsing into "learning
slices" as well as a bulleted summary list of practical tips and techniques.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating: 3.5 stars
Strengths: The site is easy to use.
Concerns: Specific information may be difficult to locate: the site lacks a detailed outline or index.

Other Issues and Comments: The site included a number of dead links when checked on October 19, 2005.
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