Denna uppsats syftar till att utveckla en förståelse för hur stråkinstrumentundervisning kan bedrivas då syftet är att lära ut en ergonomisk riktig spelteknik som förebygger hälsoproblem. Fokus i studien har varit på nybörjarundervisning samt HUR elever spelar. Studien har genomförts med hjälp av kvalitativ metod. Sex ergonomiskt kunniga och intresserade musiker och pedagoger har intervjuats. Deras specialområden är musikerergonom, sjukgymnast, kontrabasist, forskare, alexandertekniklärare och cellopedagog. Den kunskapsöversikt som presenteras i uppsatsen handlar om förhindrande av musikrelaterade hälsoproblem, utveckling av en fri spelteknik samt några pedagogiska konsekvenser utifrån fallstudier som gjorts på barn. Alexanderteknik, som bland annat handlar om effektiv muskelanvändning och ändring av felaktiga vanor, utgör den teoretiska utgångspunkten för studien. Resultatet visar bland annat att stråkinstrumentundervisning på ergonomisk grund ska utgå från läraren och dennes interaktion med eleven och kräver att läraren har kunskap och medvetenhet om ämnet ergonomi. Vidare visar resultatet på betydelsen av att i undervisningen prioritera kvalitet framför kvantitet, att anpassa undervisningen efter elevens olika muskulära och psykiska förutsättningar och att se eleven i ett helhetsperspektiv. Exempel på viktiga moment i tillvägagångssätt för stråkundervisning på ergonomisk grund handlar om att bevaka elevens lust och ha en sund balans i progressionen. / The purpose of this study is to develop an understanding in how teaching strings can emphasize an ergonomic way of playing, thus preventing health problems. Focus has been how to teach beginners as well as HOW to play. The study has been carried out with a qualitative method. Six musicians and teachers with ergonomics as a special field have been interviewed. They are a physiotherapist, a double bassist, a researcher, a teacher in Alexander Technique and a teacher in cello. The findings of the study deal with the prevention of musician-related injuries, developing a free playing technique, and educational consequences from a few case studies of children. The Alexander Technique, which among other aspects, deals with the effective use of muscles and changing wrong habits, is the theoretical starting point of the study. The result indicates, among other things, evidence that teaching strings in an ergonomic perspective should start with the teacher and his/her interaction with the pupil, and requires that the teacher possesses a knowledge and awareness of ergonomics. Furthermore, the result gives evidence of the importance in giving priority to quality instead of quantity, adjusting the teaching to the pupil’s different physical and psychical conditions and also viewing the pupil in a comprehensive perspective. Checking the pupil’s mindset and having a good balance of the progression, are examples of important elements in teaching strings.

<p>In this essay, I want to achieve an accessible and applicable entrance to Alexander Technique as a method for learning to use the body in such a way as to allow emotional expression in music. It is necessary to see the real need of Alexander Technique for the active musician, and therefore important components of music-making will be presented. These components are presented from an Alexander-perspective in order to produce a clear picture of the method of application.The prerequisite for emotional expression in music is musicians and music listeners with the ability to generate, and respond after emotional impressions. Alexander Technique provides an approach to make it easier for musicians, especially guitarists, to express emotions in a performance situation.After years of practice and obtaining musical knowledge and practical skills at the instrument, it is common that muscle tension and ingrained patterns contribute to limited expression. Muscle tensions arising from pressured situations such as auditions, competitions and concerts. Repetitive movements contribute to this, and lays the foundation for an insufficient technique. It is clear that traditional learning methods need to be complemented with an approach that treats body awareness as an essential part of musical performances. The notion that the use of the body affects mental states is now a truism, and one can see an opening towards new approaches that facilitate learning as well as performance of musical works. The emotional expression is in focus here, and this study deals with musical production based on the philosophy that music should be driven by decisions involving emotional expression.</p>

In this essay, I want to achieve an accessible and applicable entrance to Alexander Technique as a method for learning to use the body in such a way as to allow emotional expression in music. It is necessary to see the real need of Alexander Technique for the active musician, and therefore important components of music-making will be presented. These components are presented from an Alexander-perspective in order to produce a clear picture of the method of application.The prerequisite for emotional expression in music is musicians and music listeners with the ability to generate, and respond after emotional impressions. Alexander Technique provides an approach to make it easier for musicians, especially guitarists, to express emotions in a performance situation.After years of practice and obtaining musical knowledge and practical skills at the instrument, it is common that muscle tension and ingrained patterns contribute to limited expression. Muscle tensions arising from pressured situations such as auditions, competitions and concerts. Repetitive movements contribute to this, and lays the foundation for an insufficient technique. It is clear that traditional learning methods need to be complemented with an approach that treats body awareness as an essential part of musical performances. The notion that the use of the body affects mental states is now a truism, and one can see an opening towards new approaches that facilitate learning as well as performance of musical works. The emotional expression is in focus here, and this study deals with musical production based on the philosophy that music should be driven by decisions involving emotional expression.