Increasing Awareness of a Musicians Health

A musicians health is often ignored by many until it is too late. This often leads to time off work at a later stage which could have been prevented if adequate education was available at the start of the musician's career/training.

I have had my fair share of aches and pains over the 30 years I have been playing and looking back I am painfully aware of the lack of guidance I received as a young musician. Do YOU suffer from aches and pains, tell me your story

For me posture was never talked about and it wasn't until I was in my thirties that I began to look at the way I held my instrument (the bassoon) and start to make adjustments to the way I played.

Unfortunately ALL musical instruments will put a strain on the body after a period of time. It's just that you don't notice the effects until months or years later.

My first wake-up call was when my neck began to get stiffer and stiffer and I soon realised that using a neck strap with my bassoon was not helping me at all. So after trying all the available alternatives I found a solution that suited my body and my playing technique.

So the MOST IMPORTANT lesson to learn is find a solution that works for you. No matter what the latest fad or trend of the moment.

So what can be done to prevent future problems?

1. Be aware of the physical problems associated with your instrument. Every instrument comes with it's own set of problems and we are all built differently!

2. Warm Up! Being a musician is just like being an athlete. You need to warm up your muscles before you play.

3. If you notice any recurring pains go and see a professional as soon as possible. Don't let the pain get to the point where you can no longer play your instrument.
4. If you are having many different problems then think about posture was never talked about and it wasn't until I was in my thirties that I began to look at the way I held my instrument (the bassoon) and start to make adjustments to the way I played.

Unfortunately ALL musical instruments will put a strain on the body after a period of time. It's just that you don't notice the effects until months or years later.

My first wake-up call was when my neck began to get stiffer and stiffer and I soon realised that using a neck strap with my bassoon was not helping me at all. So after trying all the available alternatives I found a solution that suited my body and my playing technique.

So the MOST IMPORTANT lesson to learn is find a solution that works for you. No matter what the latest fad or trend of the moment.

So what can be done to prevent future problems?

1. Be aware of the physical problems associated with your instrument. Every instrument comes with it's own set of problems and we are all built differently!

2. Warm Up! Being a musician is just like being an athlete. You need to warm up your muscles before you play.

3. If you notice any recurring pains go and see a professional as soon as possible. Don't let the pain get to the point where you can no longer play your instrument.

4. If you are having many different problems then think about Alexander Technique Physiotherapy, (if your looking for physiotherapist in Singapore then click here. Chiropractic, or Osteopathy or some other means of tackling the strain you are putting on your body while playing.

If left untreated then the following ailments could easily develop: carpal tunnel, RSI, or tendonitis

To help you understand what needs to be done here are some pdf's to get you started. (with thanks to the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine)

The first is a what kind of exercises are beneficial for a musicians health;

Click here to read the PDF in your browser, or right-click to download it

The second is how NOT to get a performance injury...

Click here to read the PDF in your browser, or right-click to download it

The next is called Keeping Fit and Healthy on tour;

Click here to read the PDF in your browser, or right-click to download it

Hearing Loss and how to prevent it is the next factsheet;

Click here to read the PDF in your browser, or right-click to download it

Another one about warming up (and down)...

Click here to read the PDF in your browser, or right-click to download it

And finally a factsheet called Fit to Play which is concerned with making music enjoyable and never painful;

Click here to read the PDF in your browser, or right-click to download it

Another factor to consider is the stress caused by stage fright. Click here for find out how to defeat stage fright
Often people turn to drink to solve there problems. Read more about orchestra drinking here

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