Some preliminary research has been conducted into the effects of the Alexander Technique (AT) on singing. Acoustic analysis of a single female voice recorded improvements in vocal quality (the so-called ‘ringing’ tone), vocal clarity (the harmonic-to-noise ratio, where noise indicates qualities such as raspiness or breathiness) and intonation. Measurements of vibrato and respiratory noise were less conclusive.
The research was conducted with one singer whose voice was analysed before and after 15 AT sessions which took place over 35 days. The AT sessions were kept deliberately simple, and involved only hands-on lying down – or ‘semi-supine’ – work.
In an interview, Michele Capalbo, who conducted the research, noted that:
There is a boost in that ringing area – enhancement of the overtones, richness of the overtones, ‘singer formant boost’, whatever you want to call it – right in that area [which makes] classical singers ring out and be heard over an orchestra – that got a boost. Over time, the volume increased but that was not immediate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLQBJ-RYb_A
Earlier studies into the effects of AT on voice were first conducted in the 1970s, but very little research has been conducted since. However, recent advances in software and technology have made this kind of research more practical and affordable.
Michele Capalbo is a professional opera singer and AT teacher based in Canada. She is currently working on a book which compiles current perspectives from AT teachers who specialize in working with singers.
You can read further details of her research on the Alexander Studies Online website, and attend her online workshop for singers in October this year.
