For several centuries, the "serpent" accompanied plainsong in French churches, before joining the symphony orchestra in the 18th century (Mendelssohn, Verdi, Wagner, Berlioz, Gossec etc....). Its repertoire is vast, ranging from religious music (from the 17th to the 19th century) to secular music. It is the ancestor of the tuba. Its rediscovery is enabling tuba and saxhorn players to discover early music and create new opportunities for themselves in the professional world.

Born of FM Alexander's discovery of the need to return to the "use of self", lost since childhood and which needs to be rediscovered, the Alexander Technique invites performers to question "what they are doing with themselves". Becoming aware of the way in which the body, as the very first instrument, should function, and putting it back at the heart of the artistic gesture, is the whole point of this approach, which mobilises observation and practice.

The fruit of unique expertise, nurtured by long experience working with a host of artists around the world, this teaching constitutes a psycho-physical preparation for performance or the stage. In line with the sports training model, relaxation, recuperation, appropriate mobilisation and deployment of capacities at the M moment help to prevent and offer solutions to the problems of injury, excessive tension and stage fright so often associated with high-level instrumental playing. In addition to the effects on overall health, this approach provides the keys to self-knowledge and self-imposed limits, which are essential to artistic development and professional careers.

Through exploration of the instrument's repertoire, historical perspective and in-depth technical work, this course aims to develop mastery of the instrument and a critical approach to interpretation. Particular attention is paid to listening to one's body, in order to prevent the aches and pains associated with playing the instrument. The face-to-face teaching approach allows for personalised learning, helping each student to reach his or her full potential.

Through exploration of the instrument's repertoire, historical perspective and in-depth technical work, this course aims to develop mastery of the instrument and a critical approach to interpretation. Particular attention is paid to listening to one's body, in order to prevent the aches and pains associated with playing the instrument. The face-to-face teaching approach allows for personalised learning, helping each student to reach his or her full potential.