Articles

These articles were originally written for musicians.

The processes described are applicable to movement and thinking in any activity.

Clicking on the title of an article opens a new window.

Ease Performance Anxiety Naturally

How Body Mapping and the Alexander Technique Will Improve Your Playing

What Every Musician Needs to Know about the Body

THE NEED TO WIN

When an archer is shooting for nothing
He has all his skill.
If he shoots for a brass buckle
He is already nervous.
If he shoots for a prize of gold
He goes blind
Or sees two targets--
He is out of his mind!

His skill has not changed. But the prize
Divides him. He cares.
He thinks more of winning
Than of shooting--
And the need to win
Drains him of power.

The Need to Win by Thomas Merton, from THE COLLECTED POEMS OF THOMAS MERTON. Copyright ©1963 by The Abbey of Gethsemani, Inc., 1977 by The Trustees of the Merton Legacy Trust. Reprinted by permission of New Directions Publishing Corp.