VIDEOS & GUIDES

Do you get tight or "locked up" when you play fast passages? Do you wish you could feel more relaxed when you play fast? Not only is getting locked up uncomfortable, but what you may not know is that this excess tension actually slows you down and makes your technique less accurate. So what's the secret of playing fast and effortlessly, without compromising technique or accuracy? The secret lies in playing "fast like a Ferrari!" In this video Joseph Arnold and Aaron Bigeleisen explain the root cause the tension that arises when playing fast, as well as what to do so you can play like a Ferrari! Sign up for our FREE mini course! “5 Simple & Surprisingly Effective Techniques for Relieving Pain & Releasing Tension While Practicing Even the Most Challenging Music” https://bit.ly/3uz4dx8 Got tension or pain? Get on the waiting list for our upcoming course, "The Magic Pause: The 5-second technique that is the single most powerful, easy-to-implement, and sure-fire method for instant relief from the tightness and tension that causes musician’s injuries." https://bit.ly/3dthB06 Joseph Arnold, Violinist, Alexander Technique Teacher, and Co-Founder of the Soulforce Music School Aaron Bigeleisen, Vocalist, Alexander Technique Teacher Trainee, and Co-Founder of the Soulforce Music School JosephArnold.com/Soulforce Soulforce Music on CastBox: https://bit.ly/39QFqg9

Lie down in a quiet place and listen to this guided body meditation to cultivate a peaceful state of being before, during, or after to practicing or performing. Sign up for our FREE mini course! “5 Simple & Surprisingly Effective Techniques for Relieving Pain & Releasing Tension While Practicing Even the Most Challenging Music” https://bit.ly/3uz4dx8 Got tension or pain? Get on the waiting list for our upcoming course, "The Magic Pause: The 5-second technique that is the single most powerful, easy-to-implement, and sure-fire method for instant relief from the tightness and tension that causes musician’s injuries." https://bit.ly/3dthB06 Joseph Arnold, Violinist, Alexander Technique Teacher, and Co-Founder of the Soulforce Music School Aaron Bigeleisen, Vocalist, Alexander Technique Teacher Trainee, and Co-Founder of the Soulforce Music School JosephArnold.com/Soulforce Soulforce Music on CastBox: https://bit.ly/39QFqg9

The Soul Force Music Deep Dive conversations are about how to give inspiring & powerful performances (musical performances that have "Soul Force"), how that connects to the role of musicianship in an increasingly chaotic world, and all the best self-care techniques that we know. In this episode: - “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” - Howard Thurman - How this quote by Howard Thurman relates to musicianship in this chaotic modern world - How "musical intuition" is a process of basing your musical expression on the embodied experience of your own emotions as you play - “I would not give a fig for the simplicity this side of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity.” - Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. - Joseph and Aaron's stories of transitioning from a "do it right" conservatory model of music-making to a more joyful and easeful means of playing music - How this Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. quote helps us understand how music pedagogy should involve technique in the service of expression and not technique as the end in itself - An easy guide to accessing musical intuition while listening to and playing music - A few tips for accessing musical intuition quickly Stay tuned next week for more insights into the heart of musicianship, including what it means to play from the heart, guided Alexander Technique experiences, and how to lead an inspired life as a musician! Feel free to ask any questions in the comments below. Sign up for our FREE mini course! “5 Simple & Surprisingly Effective Techniques for Relieving Pain & Releasing Tension While Practicing Even the Most Challenging Music” https://bit.ly/3uz4dx8 Got tension or pain? Get on the waiting list for our upcoming course, "The Magic Pause: The 5-second technique that is the single most powerful, easy-to-implement, and sure-fire method for instant relief from the tightness and tension that causes musician’s injuries" https://bit.ly/3dthB06 Joseph Arnold, Violinist, Alexander Technique Teacher, and Co-Founder of the Soulforce Music School Aaron Bigeleisen, Vocalist, Alexander Technique Teacher Trainee, and Co-Founder of the Soulforce Music School JosephArnold.com/Soulforce Soulforce Music on CastBox: https://bit.ly/39QFqg9

Many of the musicians we talk to describe their biggest challenge as a musician as "not having enough confidence." And when we dig into this lack of confidence, we often find stories of unworthiness or shame. Some musicians even (subconsciously) believe that this sense of unworthiness is necessary for excellence and success as an artist! Where does this unworthiness or shame come from? Are there alternative ways of being that allow to to feel really good about yourself and still succeed? In this video Joseph Arnold and Aaron Bigeleisen explore how to develop unshakeable confidence through discovering and embodying your deepest values both on and off stage. Sign up for our FREE mini course! “5 Simple & Surprisingly Effective Techniques for Relieving Pain & Releasing Tension While Practicing Even the Most Challenging Music” https://bit.ly/3uz4dx8 Got tension or pain? Join the waiting list for our upcoming course, "The Magic Pause: The 5-second technique that is the single most powerful, easy-to-implement, and sure-fire method for instant relief from the tightness and tension that causes musician’s injuries" https://bit.ly/3dthB06 Joseph Arnold, Violinist, Alexander Technique Teacher, and Co-Founder of the Soulforce Music School Aaron Bigeleisen, Vocalist, Alexander Technique Teacher Trainee, and Co-Founder of the Soulforce Music School JosephArnold.com/Soulforce Soulforce Music on CastBox: https://bit.ly/39QFqg9

Lie down in a quiet place and listen to this guided body meditation to cultivate a peaceful state of being before, during, or after to practicing or performing. Sign up for our FREE mini course! “5 Simple & Surprisingly Effective Techniques for Relieving Pain & Releasing Tension While Practicing Even the Most Challenging Music” https://bit.ly/3uz4dx8 Got tension or pain? Get on the waiting list for our upcoming course, "The Magic Pause: The 5-second technique that is the single most powerful, easy-to-implement, and sure-fire method for instant relief from the tightness and tension that causes musician’s injuries" https://bit.ly/3dthB06 Joseph Arnold, Violinist, Alexander Technique Teacher, and Co-Founder of the Soulforce Music School Aaron Bigeleisen, Vocalist, Alexander Technique Teacher Trainee, and Co-Founder of the Soulforce Music School JosephArnold.com/Soulforce Soulforce Music on CastBox: https://bit.ly/39QFqg9

Your music teacher may be the very first person you talk to about the pain, tingling, or numbness that you've been experiencing. They might have advice some helpful for you, but what do you do when the advice doesn't really work? In this video, Joseph Arnold and Aaron Bigeleisen talk about how to deal with the doubt and uncertainty that comes up when you start having painful symptoms and it seems like your music teacher is just as lost as you are. We also share exactly what to look for in the people you seek help from for chronic pain and discomfort, such as: - RSI's - Overuse injuries - Carpal tunnel - Tendonitis - Numbness - Tingling - TMJ syndrome - Back pain - *That spot* in your shoulder - And other musician's injuries Sign up for our FREE mini course! “5 Simple & Surprisingly Effective Techniques for Relieving Pain & Releasing Tension While Practicing Even the Most Challenging Music” https://bit.ly/3uz4dx8 Got tension or pain? Join the waiting list for our upcoming course, "The Magic Pause: The 5-second technique that is the single most powerful, easy-to-implement, and sure-fire method for instant relief from the tightness and tension that causes musician’s injuries" https://bit.ly/3dthB06 Joseph Arnold, Violinist, Alexander Technique Teacher, and Co-Founder of the Soulforce Music School Aaron Bigeleisen, Vocalist, Alexander Technique Teacher Trainee, and Co-Founder of the Soulforce Music School JosephArnold.com/Soulforce Soulforce Music on CastBox: https://bit.ly/39QFqg9

"Ideokinesis" is a powerful method of learning to release excess tension in your body, created by Dr. Lulu Sweigard. In this video series, Joseph Arnold will teach some of the ideokinesis images Dr. Sweigard used in her classic work, "Human Movement Potential." This video is a basic introduction to ideokinesis, how best to apply each of the images in your body, and three examples you can try at home. Sign up for our FREE mini course! “5 Simple & Surprisingly Effective Techniques for Relieving Pain & Releasing Tension While Practicing Even the Most Challenging Music” https://bit.ly/3uz4dx8 Got tension or pain? Get on the waiting list for our upcoming course, "The Magic Pause: The 5-second technique that is the single most powerful, easy-to-implement, and sure-fire method for instant relief from the tightness and tension that causes musician’s injuries" https://bit.ly/3dthB06 Joseph Arnold, Violinist, Alexander Technique Teacher, and Co-Founder of the Soulforce Music School Aaron Bigeleisen, Vocalist, Alexander Technique Teacher Trainee, and Co-Founder of the Soulforce Music School JosephArnold.com/Soulforce Soulforce Music on CastBox: https://bit.ly/39QFqg9

The Soul Force Music Deep Dive conversations are about how to give inspiring & powerful performances (musical performances that have "Soul Force"), how that connects to the role of musicianship in an increasingly chaotic world, and all the best self-care techniques that we know. In this episode: - Joseph and Aaron talk about their own histories as musicians with chronic pain - How the Alexander Technique helped them both relieve their pain and also opened up unexpected doorways of well-being - A foundational technique for freeing yourself from tension - the "pause with awareness" - What is Soul Force and how can you develop it as a musician? - How Soul Force helps musicians sound better, feel better, give more inspired performances, and lead more purposeful, meaningful lives - Future plans for the Soul Force Music School Sign up for our FREE mini course! “5 Simple & Surprisingly Effective Techniques for Relieving Pain & Releasing Tension While Practicing Even the Most Challenging Music” https://bit.ly/3uz4dx8 Got tension or pain? Get on the waiting list for our upcoming course, "The Magic Pause: The 5-second technique that is the single most powerful, easy-to-implement, and sure-fire method for instant relief from the tightness and tension that causes musician’s injuries" https://bit.ly/3dthB06 Joseph Arnold, Violinist, Alexander Technique Teacher, and Co-Founder of the Soulforce Music School Aaron Bigeleisen, Vocalist, Alexander Technique Teacher Trainee, and Co-Founder of the Soulforce Music School JosephArnold.com/Soulforce Soulforce Music on CastBox: https://bit.ly/39QFqg9