Claudio Jacomucci

[Matt Butcher]

Doing a lot of waiting around today so time for a bit of You Tube. I thought Id post another clip of a modern European player that I was lucky enough to see live, Claudio Jacomucci.

I do like this, not because its ridiculously hard but I think most of all because the extreme relaxation in his arms and hands with no wasted effort makes it sound special. I will never have 1% of that level of technical skill, but I am sure I could reduce the unnecessary tension in my playing. Nice box too, plenty of bass...

 

[Glenn]

You're right Matt. It really is a beautifully relaxed action. Something my teacher nags me about every lesson.
Where did you get the chance to see him live?

 

[Matt Butcher]

At the Royal Academy of Music in London, they have some amazing events in their accordion department. It's hard to find the time to make it down but I have seen some unforgettable stuff there. Even the students are outstanding.

 

[Pietro]

It must be great to be able to visit RAM. A couple of years ago Owen Murray brought a few Eastern European students up to play a concert for us here in Yorkshire. They were a brilliant revelation of the differing standards of musicianship in other countries.

Pete

 

[JohnDev]

There is a study of years and years behind the relaxation that Claudio J. achieved,
he is actually a certified Alexander Technique trainer,a relaxation technique,
I know because I attended one of his Alexander's Technique courses,

it's a very interesting way of working and thinking but it takes years to achieve real mastery of the technique..

 

[smdc66]

a relaxation technique, but it takes years to achieve real mastery of the technique..

i would be interested to hear some top tips on this technique if you have any to share - at least the theory if you never accomplished it fully :idea:

 

[JohnDev]

http://www.alexandertechnique.com/
This is a good website about it,
I never accomplished it,I only did an introductory course about it with Jacomucci but to apply it properly while you are doing something else is difficult
the basic principles are fairly easy to apply after some months of practice,
the difficulties arrive when you do something else because you have to think about the technique meanwhile,it must become somehow an automatic background process

Jacomucci attended a three years course in Amsterdam practicing it everyday,I have to say he is not only a wonderful musician but also a very humble and kind person

 

[Glenn]

The Alexander technique appears to be a common sense approach to a problem we probably all feel, that of stress in muscles and joints etc. during playing.
That we should try to relax more is also fairly common sense but not so easily achieved it appears.
What bothers me though is the apparent way the Alexander Technique is "sold", namely by private clinics or individuals.
Surely the main points of the technique should be public domain so at least the wider population can benefit from some of its advantages.
Unless of course it's a money making scheme...............??

 

[Anyanka]

Thank you, Matt! I very often don't enjoy the performance of 'fiendishly difficult' pieces because of the focus on technique, but this one is fabulous - there's feeling, drive and expression and the technique serves the music rather than the other way round. I think I'll be watching that again. And again.

 

[donn]

It is a money making scheme, insofar as people make a living from teaching it to others, but thats kind of an irreducible problem because it takes time and skill and the teachers still have to eat and everything. I doubt many get fabulously wealthy from it.

Heres a free 20 minute spoken introduction - http://sandrabaincushman.com/five-relations-driving-computer.mp3[/url]. I believe Ms Cushman teaches in Virginia.

The thing I find interesting about it is that a performer at the top of his or her art or sport - a dancer, violinist, whatever - can learn from an Alexander teacher, who doesnt dance or play a fiddle at all, but has this skill with human mechanics that can be applied to apparently any activity. The reason they can make money from it, apparently, is that it works.

 

[goldtopia]

Learning from books and CDs is much cheaper than a live teacher. Most teachers charge about £30 an hour which I think is way over the top and is the reason that I stopped going to a teacher even though it was just once a month. I know another that charge £25 an hour but he plays a Roland, even that seems too much. Though I think for any beginner a teacher is necessary for a while for correct fingering and to prevent bad habits. I give lessons for bluegrass banjo for £12 an hour and often feel guilty of taking the money. http://www.motleyminstrels.co.uk

 

[Anyanka]

Teaching usually involves a reasonable level of skill which has taken years to acquire; there may also be preparation involved, and an hour is rarely exactly an hour of work... a good teacher is worth that much, in my opinion - of course I'm biased as I teach (art & design)!

 

[JohnDev]

What bothers me though is the apparent way the Alexander Technique is sold, namely by private clinics or individuals.
Surely the main points of the technique should be public domain so at least the wider population can benefit from some of its advantages.
Unless of course its a money making scheme...............??

Sorry the website probably gave you this sensation,
its a technique,you can read the principles in books or on the internet ,
as every technique its not that easy to learn without a teacher,

I mean its very similar to learn an instrument,we can talk about it a lot but to learn it properly its better to have a teacher,
now dont tell me that to play the accordion is a money making scheme :tup: ,
its just that it takes time to master and to teach.