Alan Mars & Harriet Anderson

* Vocal coaching
* Stress management
* Confident performance
* Alexander Technique

The courses are available in various lengths from 90 minute tasters to a full day. In September 2011 Healthy Teacher will also be offering modular courses from their studio in Brighton and Hove. Individual coaching sessions are available by appointment in Brighton and Hove, in-school or online via Skype. Please visit the site at this link Healthy Teacher.

The diaphragm- a Youtube video clip

Most singers, actors and public speakers talk about the importance of the diaphram in healthy, effective voice production. In my experience however, 99% of the same singers, actors and speakers have an extremely inaccurate idea of the anatomical location and dimensions of the diaphragm. Getting an accurate external representation of the diaphragm can be of enormous benefit to the singer, speaker and actor. Internalising this accurate representation of the diaphragm will affect the power, range and colour of their voice.

So here is a short YouTube clip that many of my students have found particularly helpful. It’s and animated view of the diaphragm at work from above, below and the side. Watch several times and… as you do… you can realise that this is really what is going on inside… of you! Happy singing and speaking.

The diaphragm- a Youtube video clip for singers, speakers, actors & people who breathe!

Teachers, speakers & the Alexander Technique

Dr. Harriet Anderson is an Alexander Technique teacher in Vienna, Austria. Dr. Anderson also teaches presentation skills and British & American studies  at the University of Vienna. In this podcast, Teachers, Speakers & the Alexander Technique , Dr Anderson talks about the performance aspect of teaching and how the Alexander Technique can help a teacher – or anyone who speaks to an audience – be more effective.

Harriet’s website is harrietanderson.com

Dr Harriet Anderson

Whether we like it or not, we are all performers. Everyday life is full of small stage entrances and exits. And whether we like it or not, every time we enter the classroom, we are putting on a performance. Which does not mean that we are entertainers or in any way play-acting. But it does suggest that it might be worthwhile considering how we could become better performers. Read more here…

body learning alexander technique podcast website

This interview is taken from the website of Robert Rickover. Robert and I trained as Alexander teachers at the same school roughly 30 years ago.  The young woman in question, Virginia Osterman, explains any facets of the Alexander Technique economically and in plain language in a manner that I, frankly, envy. Perhaps I’ll memorise it and use it for those social occassions when a quick and easy explanation would be so handy!

A teenager describes Alexander Technique

A teenager describes the Alexander Technique in 40 seconds…

“I'm a passionate believer that science is a perspective rather than a subject and that with the right approach everyone can engage with it at some level.” Quentin Cooper

on the radio. Radio 4 is my usual choice. What’s on the radio? “Material World”, presented by Quentin Cooper. A science programme. I like to hear about developments and various controversies in the world of science – despite never being any good at science subjects in school. I enjoy buying science magazines occasionally – I like the colourful pictures and the colourful text. So, as far as Material World is concerned, I’m a keen customer.

Do I become increasingly alert and awake? Am I drawn, fascinated, into the colour and fascinating subject material? I am not! My eyelids are becoming heavier and my head is drooping toward the steering wheel.

Why? Well, the presenter, Quentin Cooper is always upbeat in his way of speaking. He gives the subject matter, whatever it may be, the verbal and vocal enthusiasm it truly deserves… Sadly most of the interviewees speak within a very narrow band of auditory frequencies. Monotone in common parlance. It sounds as if the scientists vocal “loudspeakers” are turned in toward their body, rather than outwards towards a public that is thirsty for the latest news. This is not true of all the interviewees of course – but one can’t help thinking that the exception tends to prove the rule.

So, regretfully, I turn off Material World, roll the window down a little more and put on some rousing music… Ah! that’s better… and safer.

About 20 minutes later I turn on Radio 4 again for some verbal, intellectual, stimulation again. It’s a general arts programme, Open Book, presented by Mariella Frostrup. Most of the interviewees come from the worlds oftheatre, film, literature and the visual arts. As a group they speak louder than the scientists. Crisper articulation. More musicality, ups and downs, in the spoken phrase. They vibrate the air around them with their speech. They give a good clear signal to the studio microphones. I can hear effortlessly. I wake up. I drive more safely.

The irony is – Mariella Frostrup’s guests were talking about book contracts. Not the most scintillating subject in the world – but I remembered it. What were Quentin Cooper’s guests discussing? Mmm. Nope… still can’t
recall. I’m sure it was intrinsically more interesting but it’s gone. In fact, I don’t even think it lodged in the first place.

Scientists! Your speaking voice is like a door. Use it well and you can open up that doorway so that people can step through it share your enchantment with the subject. Use it badly and you can slam that door shut in the face of a friendly visitor.

The human voice is, amongst other things, a muscular mechanism. And like other muscular mechanisms it is amenable to training that increases strength and flexibility. That increased muscularity and flexibility in your voice will translate into increased comprehension and understanding on the part of your listeners.

Make it easier on your listeners and don’t leave all the work to Quentin!

I had just been coaching an executive, of eastern European origin, who worked for an American multi-national company. I said to him that native English speakers were frequently the worst culprits for massacring the language. He was extremely surprised and sceptical about this assertion.

“Ok” I said “have you ever listened to a Lufthansa safety in English?”

He nodded to indicate “Yes”.

“So,” I continued “what about an Easyjet safety announcement – in English?”

He conceded my point and went on to say that, as a non native speaker of English, he found them impossible to understand. As a native speaker I also find them virtually incomprehensible.

Why? Well I sympathise with the crew. I want to underline quite clearly here that I think Easyjet staff are extremely hard working and demonstrate great professionalism in a demanding work environment.  And, as a professional performer myself, I would also hate to be ignored completely by an audience of over 100 people.

So the crew member who delivers the safety announcement, more often than not, rushes through it at breakneck speed with all the under-articulated words and syllables melting into one another.

Only a really skilled native English speaker could make such a glorious mess of it! And I know that they can speak very clearly when they want to – which is most of the time. Announcements about food and drink, onwards travel, landing cards and charitable donations are all clear.

And what message do the passengers get? The safety check, at least by comparison, doesn’t really matter – let’s tick this item off the list as quick as possible.

Now, I sympathise because I’ve been there. As a musician and a public speaker I’ve spoken to inattentive or even hostile audiences. And through training and experience I honed that special combination of body language, vocal strength and verbal clarity and verbal clarity that, more often or not, turns the situation around.

The point that I’d like to make is this – learning doesn’t only happen consciously, it also happens unconsciously. If you speak clearly, reasonably slowly and with authority:

1. The passengers, maybe just a few, are more likely to listen to you.

2. Even if they don’t listen to you consciously the message is more likely to embed in the unconscious anyway – we’ve all had the experience, for example, of a tune or snatch of conversation that we just can get out of our mind… I believe the Germans call it an “earworm”.

Clearly the crew are under a great deal of time pressure during the period of embarkation and take off. Where does that pressure come from I wonder?

Easyjet management and training – are you listening? The safety announcement is more than just a list item. English, the language of Shakespeare, is a beautiful language.  Please give the words the vocal power and clarity they deserve – it’s called “stage presence” and “stage craft”.

Alan Mars offers vocal coaching – face to face via Skype

Alan Mars, voice coach & Alexander Technique teacher, is now offering online voice coaching via Skype:

Spoken voice coaching:

Has your voice, and confidence, ever faltered during a presentation, a meeting, an audition or a musical solo? Develop a reliably confident voice through the Alexander Technique, vocal coaching and specially adapted performing-arts techniques. Experience increasing poise – read more here …

Singing voice coaching:

I can help you to free your singing voice – to sing with greater ease, clarity, resonance and power. I can help you reduce performance nerves and to – read more here …

If you have a Skype account and a webcam we can get to work in the comfort of your own home or office. Payment is via PayPal. Pricing details for 30 minute, 45 minute or one-hour sessions are at the foot of the page.

What will you need to get started?

If you are based near Brighton and Hove and would prefer to meet person to person to have lessons please email me on alan.mars@yahoo.co.uk or call 07930 323 057 to arrange an appointment

Who is Alan Mars?

Alan Mars has taught voice-work, singing Alexander Technique privately and at many top London drama and music schools including – The Arts Educational Drama School, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal College of Music, since 1982.

He has taught presentation skills within many top British and international companies including – Abbey National, General Electric, Sainsbury’s, Lloyds of London and many others since 1992.

Alan offers individual lessons, group classes and in-house coaching. He is a member of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique.

Terms and conditions

• Payments must be received via PayPal at least 24 hours before the lesson.
• If payment is not received the lesson will be cancelled automatically.
• No refunds will be given if you fail to log in for your lesson.
• Alan will not be held responsible for any connection or technical difficulties during the lesson.
• If you are late to log in for your session the lesson will still finish at the agreed time – extra time will not be added.
  

Alan Mars – online vocal coaching with Alexander Technique via Skype

An Alexander Technique lesson for £5? I have released a high quality audio recording that talks you through the semi-supine position. It lasts about 13 minutes – so it can be fitted into a busy day quite nicely.

Payment will be via PayPal. Delivery via email. For purchase details please visit this link:
http://thetechnique.co.uk/semi-supine-voice-coaching.html

email me at alan.mars@yahoo.co.uk or call me on 07930 323 057

alexander technique, semi supine, active rest, picture, image, audio download

What is the Alexander Technique? Who was Mr. Alexander? Why do people practice the Alexander Technique? How does it work?

I really like this Alexander Technique YouTube video presentation. It is informative, clear, aesthetically pleasing and addresses all the above questions. I wish I had made it myself… I will credit the creator of the video as soon as I can find out who it is!

In 2 minutes and 39 seconds it takes us through an astounding amount of information. You may have to use the pause button to fully absorb all the information. Here it is in summary :

• F.M. Alexander – his journey
• The Technique Travels – Alexander comes to London and…
• What the Alexander Technique is not
• What the Alexander Technique is
• Visiting Our Posture – Back & Down… Forward & Up
• An Alexander Journey – Not all about posture
• The Force of Habit
• Faulty Sensory Awareness
• Inhibition and Non-Doing
• Sending Directions
• Primary Control – Checking the Compass
• The Technique In Practice – Applying the technique in our lives
• Everyday Activity
• Performance and Public Speaking
• Sports and Exercise
• The Workplace
• An Alexander Technique Lesson
• NHS Medical Research – the BMJ back pain trial details

Alexander Technique Hove a video presentation – What? Who? Why? How?