10 Ergonomics Tips for Musicians : Musicians Injuries : Learn and Master Guitar
Ranked #2,751 in Music, #76,599 overall
Ergonomics For Musicians : Ergonomic Guitar : Drum Ergonomics
Music can be relaxing, invigorating and it can leave us in a puddle of tears. If you play an instrument you know the hard work and dedication that it takes. It's a perpetual regimen of practice, practice and more practice.
"How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" A man asked someone who was walking down the street in New York City.
"Practice!" The person replied. It's an old joke but if you're a musician, you live and breathe your music. You're tough. You're often part of a team, be it a band, an orchestra, a quartet, whatever it is, they're counting on you not to drop the ball. While playing music can be a form of stress relief, some of what you're doing may also be causing your body stress.
Different instruments take different tolls on the body. I'm not an expert by any means, but offer this as an introduction and basic information. All bodies and everyone's circumstances are different. If you have any questions or consider making any chainges in your routine, it's best to consult a professional who can help you.
Contents at a Glance
- What is Ergonomics?
- "Patient Exercising Hands by Playing the Piano after Surgery"
- 10 Ergonomic Tips for Musicians
- Other Lenses in this Series
- Everybody Hurts An Essential Guide to Emo Culture
- Musicians Injuries - Books
- Learn and Master Guitar : Epiphone PR-4E Acoustic Player Pack
- Xtensor Gamer Hand Exercise
- Phil Collins reveals he will never drum again due to spine injury
- Chester Bennington back injury, LINKIN PARK
- Special Handmade & Vintage Items
- Little Richard Speaker : Playing Less Hurt: An Injury Prevention Guide for Musicians
- Luthiers make music ... with strings attached
- Singer Johnny Cash with Guitar Straddling Railroad Tracks
- Dance for PD: Mark Morris Dance Group
- I Feel Good! (MP3)
- Related Lens: Ideas for Help with Chronic Pain
- Some ergonomic items that may interest you
- The Athletic Musician
- Do you really want to hurt me? (MP3)
- Resources
What is Ergonomics?
In a nutshell, ergonomics is the science of designing the job, equipment, and workplace to fit the worker. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries, which can develop over time and can lead to long-term disability.Ergonomics looks at what kind of work or craft you do, what tools you use and your whole environment. The aim is to find the best fit between you and your workspace conditions. Ergonomic changes can reduce discomfort, pain and injury.
Image from Publicdomainpictures.net
"Patient Exercising Hands by Playing the Piano after Surgery"
10 Ergonomic Tips for Musicians
1) Maintain a healthy body weight I saw musicians in the same class as athletes over and over again. Between the practicing, the performing, the traveling to and from performances and transporting heavy instruments and equipment around, musicians get a workout. Think of all that bowing they do, all those encores to play! Being in the best possible shape you can be to start with is ideal.2) Evaluate your instrument. This includes not only finding out if the instrument itself is right for you and the right size for your body but finding out about how to play, adjust and transport it properly.Keep it in good condition so you're not struggling to make a poorly maintained instrument sound good and work well.
3) Evaluate Your Technique Who knows if the way you were taught or the way you're playing is apt to be the cause or a contributing factor of your pain? Maybe something such as a repetitive strain injury?
4) Always Warm Up. Not warming up, playing cold, can cause or exacerbate an injury.
5) Observe proper posture This will allow you to relax and breathe properly. Maybe you sit at a piano or stand playing an instrument. Sitting and standing postures are different. If you have learned to play in one position you may not be able to play in the other. Both postures need to be exercised in order to strengthen the necessary muscles.
6) Take several breaks. Stretch. Don't forget your neck, hands, fingers & wrists.
7) Strengthen the arms, wrists and hands Care should be taken as I've read that building up muscle strength with special devices is quite controversial. It's best to consult someone professional before diagnosing and treating yourself or trying to let the Internet diagnose you. Using a contraption that's not right for you and your condition could make matters worse. Seeking advice from a professional about your particular situation is the best idea.
8) Breathe. If you're nervous or tense you may realize that you're holding your breath. Relax and breathe in and out. Your body and your audience will thank you.
9) Pay attention to your body. Playing through the pain may well get you even more pain to try and play through until you can't stand it anymore.
10) Get help from a professional if you need it
Image from Publicdomainpictures.net
Other Lenses in this Series
Everybody Hurts An Essential Guide to Emo Culture
Amazon Kindle
Everybody Hurts An Essential Guide to Emo Culture
Everybody Hurts An Essential Guide to Emo Culture [Kindle ed.]
Read it on your Kindle: Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 3G Works Globally, Graphite, 6" Display with New E Ink Pearl Technology
Also in paperback
Everybody Hurts: An Essential Guide to Emo Culture [Paperback]
Simon and Kelley describe emo culture slyly in this perky lifestyle guide. Basically, emo is music made by "a bunch of guys barely out of high school" who are concerned "with decidedly high school problems" (heartbreak, friendship, etc.) more than with "approachable hooks."
Growing out of and away from increasingly insular punk rock, emo sets lyrics that are very often introspective and achey.
Self-centered, whiny songs and introspective posing have been part of rock from the beginning (e.g., "Tell Laura I Love Her," Jim Morrison's tortured-artist act), but with emo they are the center of a packaged subculture pitched to "the preppiest of preps" being "punkish," "lacrosse jocks" who sing along to "weepy acoustic anthems," and "Long Island dudes" who "keep journals, cry in front of girls, and write the word art with a capital A."
Simon and Kelley list movies, songs, fashions, and even eating habits to reveal what is and isn't emo.
There's a hint of satire in all this, which seems right, given the arch irony of the emo mind-set. Mike Tribby Copyright © American Library Association -- Amazon
Everybody Hurts An Essential Guide to Emo Culture [Kindle ed.]
Read it on your Kindle: Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 3G Works Globally, Graphite, 6" Display with New E Ink Pearl Technology
Also in paperback
Everybody Hurts: An Essential Guide to Emo Culture [Paperback]
Simon and Kelley describe emo culture slyly in this perky lifestyle guide. Basically, emo is music made by "a bunch of guys barely out of high school" who are concerned "with decidedly high school problems" (heartbreak, friendship, etc.) more than with "approachable hooks."
Growing out of and away from increasingly insular punk rock, emo sets lyrics that are very often introspective and achey.
Self-centered, whiny songs and introspective posing have been part of rock from the beginning (e.g., "Tell Laura I Love Her," Jim Morrison's tortured-artist act), but with emo they are the center of a packaged subculture pitched to "the preppiest of preps" being "punkish," "lacrosse jocks" who sing along to "weepy acoustic anthems," and "Long Island dudes" who "keep journals, cry in front of girls, and write the word art with a capital A."
Simon and Kelley list movies, songs, fashions, and even eating habits to reveal what is and isn't emo.
There's a hint of satire in all this, which seems right, given the arch irony of the emo mind-set. Mike Tribby Copyright © American Library Association -- Amazon
Musicians Injuries - Books
The Musician's Way: A Guide to Practice, Performance, and Wellness by Gerald Klickstein
In The Musician's Way, veteran performer and educa more...0 points
The Percussionists' Guide to Injury Treatment and Prevention by Darin Workman
Pain and injury are near constant companions for professional more...0 points
Hearing Loss in Musicians by Marshall Chasin
The editor and contributors are all experts in the more...0 points
The Musicians Hand: a clinical guide by Ian Winspur
(Martin Dunitz) Devonshire Hospital, London, UK. P more...0 points
Fit as a Fiddle: The Musician's Guide to Playing Healthy by William J. Dawson
Co-published by MENC: The National Association for more...0 points
A Symposium for Pianists and Teachers: Strategies to Develop the Mind and Body for Optimal Performance by Gail Berenson, Jacqueline Csurgai-Schmitt, William DeVan, Mitchell Elkiss, Seymour Fink, Phyllis Alpert Lehrer, Barbara Lister-Sink, Robert Mayerovit
Bringing together the unique perspectives of some more...0 points
The Musician's Survival Manual...
A Guide to Preventing and Treating Injuries in Ins more...0 points
Violin and Viola Ergonomics: Determine the Optimum Playing Position and Support for Your Body Type
World-renowned music educator Julie Lyonn Lieberma more...0 points
I've got the music in me (MP3)
Take a listen. If you like, you can click to buy on Amazon.
Learn and Master Guitar : Epiphone PR-4E Acoustic Player Pack
Learn and Master Guitar
Epiphone PR-4E Acoustic Player Pack - $ 339.00
The Epiphone PR-4E Pack gives you a great-sounding acoustic-electric guitar and much more! The PR-4E features a jumbo size, bound body, rosewood fingerboard, and chrome tuners. The onboard preamp and pickup system is simple to use and sounds great. The amp has a vintage look to it, and is equipped with volume and EQ controls. Bundled with the Award winning Gibson's Learn & Master Guitar (Expanded Edition) course, this is everything you need to get started!
Also Available:
Learn & Master Piano Homeschool Edition - $ 169.00
The Learn & Master Piano Student Edition is a Complete 2-Year Piano Curriculum Designed for Home Study. It Contains Our Complete Piano Course plus: 68-Page Teacher's Guide (With Full 2-Year Scope-and-Sequence) and 1 DVD Teacher's Resource.
Xtensor Gamer Hand Exercise
Xtensor Gamer Hand Exerciser
Earn those white knuckles
Rebalances strength and flexibility of the hands and fingers
Fully adjustable to nearly every hand size
Very effective treatment for tennis elbow and arthritis pain, too!
2007 winner of the Medical Design Excellence Award
Rebalances strength and flexibility of the hands and fingers
Fully adjustable to nearly every hand size
Very effective treatment for tennis elbow and arthritis pain, too!
no shower no coffe i feel terrible by valeriamaggiani
make your own custom t-shirt at zazzle
I'm with the drummer by ChelseaLjones
See more Artsprojekt T-Shirts
Phil Collins reveals he will never drum again due to spine injury
Buy at AllPosters.com
Excerpt from Contactmusic article:
"...But due to his talents, the star has slowly been causing devastating damage to his spinal cord - and admits it is too painful to even pick up the sticks now.
He tells Britain's Daily Mirror, 'I've got a condition that means I can't play any more. After playing drums for 50 years, I've had to stop. Obviously, I'm very sad about it. My vertebrae has been crushing my spinal cord because of the position I drum in. It comes from years of playing. I can't even hold the sticks properly without it being painful.' ..."
Daily Mirror article
ContactMusic article
Disaboom article
Chester Bennington back injury, LINKIN PARK
"The Pulse of Radio reports that LINKIN PARK has filed a lawsuit against the Lloyd's of London insurance company, alleging that the firm refused to compensate the band for a string of six shows it canceled after frontman Chester Bennington hurt his back. According to TMZ.com, the group was forced to pull out of six shows in 2008 after Bennington suffered his injury while assembling a toy for his son. But their request to claim the lost profits from the show through Lloyd's was denied by the insurance giant, which alleged that Bennington's problem was pre-existing before LINKIN PARK took out its policy."
- The Daily Swarm - Pre-Existing Conditions? Linkin Park Sues Lloyds of London Over Health Insurance...
- The Pulse of Radio reports that LINKIN PARK has filed a lawsuit against the Lloyd's of London insurance company, alleging that the firm refused to compensate the band for a string of six shows it canceled after frontman Chester Bennington hurt his back.
Special Handmade & Vintage Items
Available on Etsy
(Please see images below)
Trumpet Guy Musician Metal Wall Sculpture by frivoloustendencies
Whimsical musician figure handcrafted from vintage more...0 points
Vintage Wooden Toy THUMB PUPPET GUITAR PLAYER by intothewoods1
Press the bottom to make the guitar player rock ou more...0 points
Little Richard Speaker : Playing Less Hurt: An Injury Prevention Guide for Musicians
Little Richard Speaker by Kittyalex
Browse more Artsprojekt Speakers
Retro Vintage Kitsch Chinese Headache Medicine Ad by curious_goods
See other iphone 4 cases
Playing Less Hurt: An Injury Prevention Guide for Musicians
The demands of solitary practice, hectic rehearsal schedules, challenging repertoire, performance pressures, awkward postures, and other physical strains have left a trail of injured, hearing-impaired, and frustrated musicians who have had few resources to guide them.
Making music at any level is a powerful gift. While musicians have endless resources for learning the basics of their instruments and the theory of music, few books have explored the other subtleties and complexities that musicians face in their quest to play with ease and skill.
Playing Less Hurt: An Injury Prevention Guide for Musicians
Amazon Price: $18.82 (as of 05/27/2012)
Playing Less Hurt addresses this need with specific tools to avoid and alleviate injury. Impressively researched, the book is invaluable not only to musicians, but also to the coaches and medical professionals who work with them.
Everyone from dentists to orthopedists, audiologists to neurologists, massage therapists and trainers will benefit from Janet Horvath's coherent account of the physiology and psyche of a practicing musician.
Written with knowledge, sympathetic insight, humor, and aplomb, Horvath has created an essential resource for all musicians who want to play better and feel better. -- Amazon
Luthiers make music ... with strings attached
Luthier Shop Aprons & Mugs
The person who constructs your guitar, the luthier, may have some helpful tips in making the instrument more ergonomic.
Luthiers Make Music ...With Strings Attached, L... by ImagineMDD
Create a stainless steel coffee mug online with zazzle
You Don't Have to Fret --I'm a Trained Luthier by ImagineMDD
Browse more Don't Aprons
Luthiers know how to give you Good Action by ImagineMDD
More Luthier Aprons
Luthiers Make Music ...With Strings Attached, L... by ImagineMDD
Create a stainless steel coffee mug online with zazzle
You Don't Have to Fret --I'm a Trained Luthier by ImagineMDD
Browse more Don't Aprons
Luthiers know how to give you Good Action by ImagineMDD
More Luthier Aprons
Quick Hand and Finger stretch
Make a fist, one hand at a time. Hold each tightly for 2-3 seconds.
Then open your fingers wide and stretch your hand and extending your fingers with an open palm. Wiggle your fingers.
Do this ten to fifteen times in a row. Think about how you're breathing in and out. (That's what it's all about.)
Singer Johnny Cash with Guitar Straddling Railroad Tracks
Dance for PD: Mark Morris Dance Group
"Dance for PD is an on-going collaboration between the Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group (BPG), a chapter of the National Parkinson Foundation. MMDG/BPG started offering free dance classes for people with Parkinson's in 2001 after BPG's Executive Director Olie Westheimer approached MMDG with the initial idea for a class. Since 2005, the two organizations have expanded the Dance for PD program into more than 20 other communities around the world by engaging participants in Dance for PD master classes, training teachers through intensive workshops, and nurturing relationships among organizations so that ongoing classes are available to local communities."
- Mark Morris Dance Group :: The Dance Center :: Outreach
- In addition to hosting a weekly class for 50 participants at the Mark Morris Dance Center in Brooklyn, NY, MMDG/BPG have offered Dance for PD classes to communities in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Louisville, Ann Arbor, Seattle, Urbana-Champaign, Toronto, Edinburgh, London, Auckland, and Tel Aviv, among others. Such medical centers as Evergreen Hospital (Seattle), Jewish Hospital/Frazier Rehabilitation Institute (Louisville), Carle Hospital (Champaign-Urbana), and Beth Israel Deaconess (Boston) have hosted demonstration classes in their facilities. -- text from their web site
I Feel Good! (MP3)
As you listen to I Feel Good! I hope you feel or will soon be feeling good. If you like, you can click to buy it on Amazon.
Related Lens: Ideas for Help with Chronic Pain
Some ergonomic items that may interest you
Oleg Ergonomic Sax Strap or Harness, Ergo Plus
Designed to alleviate pressure-caused discomforts more...0 points
Stevens 345 Steel Ergonomic Steel Guitar Slide
The professionals' favorite for dobro, pedal steel more...0 points
Harley Davidson Mens Perforated Fingerless Gloves. Lightweight leather perforated so airflow keeps hands cool on warm days. Padded palms for anti-vibration. Ergonomic thumb construction for added mobility. Adjustable strap, Velcro®-like hook & loop touch
AUTHENTIC HARLEY-DAVIDSON FROM ST. PAUL HARLEY-DAV more...0 points
Body Back Sticks
This tool works much like the Bonger. It provides more...0 points
Snoozer Junior Body Pillow - Natural Goose Down Filler
Pillow is filled with a minimum of 80% natural whi more...0 points
The Athletic Musician
The "Athletic Musician" is an innovative approach that teaches musicians how to prevent and manage injuries, presented in a unique format that combines sound medical protocol with a musician's point of view.
Harrison, a musician, discusses the magnitude of the problem of musicians' injuries with reference to statistical surveys and discusses the emotional and psychological impact of injury on the individual musician. Paull, an orthopedic physiotherapist describes, in layman's terms, the athletic approach to a musician's injuries.
Each commonly injured area is examined in turn, from neck, back and shoulder pain to arm, wrist and hand problems. For each area, the anatomy is described, followed by an explanation of what causes the injury and how to avoid or prevent the injury from occurring. Musicians should regard themselves as elite "musical athletes" and protect themselves from injury by following athletic training protocols.
The authors present appropriate stretching regimes and postural corrections for both on and off stage, as well as ergonomic changes to instrument and playing positions. The text is amply illustrated with sketches for every exercise and stretch, photographs of musicians demonstrating playing postures, and unique anatomical drawings of musicians. "The Athletic Musician" presents research-based, scientific material in a format that is relevant, clear, and practical for all musicians. The combination of a medical and musical perspectives makes it an indispensable guide for all musicians and the health care professionals who aspire to help them. -- From Amazon
About the Authors
Barbara Paull is a British-trained Registered Physiotherapist who has concentrated on orthopedic physiotherapy in many different clinical settings over 30 years and currently works as consultant, clinician, and lecturer.
Christine Harrison is a freelance violinist working in Toronto, Canada. She has performed with various symphonic, chamber, and theatre groups, including work with the Canadian Opera Company and the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra.
Harrison, a musician, discusses the magnitude of the problem of musicians' injuries with reference to statistical surveys and discusses the emotional and psychological impact of injury on the individual musician. Paull, an orthopedic physiotherapist describes, in layman's terms, the athletic approach to a musician's injuries.
Each commonly injured area is examined in turn, from neck, back and shoulder pain to arm, wrist and hand problems. For each area, the anatomy is described, followed by an explanation of what causes the injury and how to avoid or prevent the injury from occurring. Musicians should regard themselves as elite "musical athletes" and protect themselves from injury by following athletic training protocols.
The authors present appropriate stretching regimes and postural corrections for both on and off stage, as well as ergonomic changes to instrument and playing positions. The text is amply illustrated with sketches for every exercise and stretch, photographs of musicians demonstrating playing postures, and unique anatomical drawings of musicians. "The Athletic Musician" presents research-based, scientific material in a format that is relevant, clear, and practical for all musicians. The combination of a medical and musical perspectives makes it an indispensable guide for all musicians and the health care professionals who aspire to help them. -- From Amazon
About the Authors
Barbara Paull is a British-trained Registered Physiotherapist who has concentrated on orthopedic physiotherapy in many different clinical settings over 30 years and currently works as consultant, clinician, and lecturer.
Christine Harrison is a freelance violinist working in Toronto, Canada. She has performed with various symphonic, chamber, and theatre groups, including work with the Canadian Opera Company and the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra.
The Athletic Musician: A Guide to Playing Without Pain
Amazon Price: $33.66 (as of 05/27/2012)
Do you really want to hurt me? (MP3)
Check out this song on MP3! Take a listen. If you like, you can click to buy it on Amazon.
Resources
This list may be updated and is to give an idea of the multitude of resources available in this growing field
The Musicians Clinic at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, CT.
MusicalOnline: Performing Arts Medicine
The Stouffville Musicians' Injuries Clinic
The Alexander Music School
MusicalOnline: Performing Arts Medicine
The Stouffville Musicians' Injuries Clinic
The Alexander Music School
by imaginemdd
Please check out our Zazzle Shop, our facebook page and also visit our blog. more »
- 368 featured lenses
- Winner of 28 trophies!
- Top lens » Princess Rooms | Pink Bedrooms | Princess Decorating Ideas
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
Explore related pages
- Baby Boomer and Menopause Musicals Baby Boomer and Menopause Musicals
- 10 points about sewing ergonomics : Tips for Sewing 10 points about sewing ergonomics : Tips for Sewing
- Folk Music Icons In Concert Folk Music Icons In Concert
- Healing Gardens Healing Gardens
- Arts Events in the San Francisco Bay Area Arts Events in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Musician Humor Musician Humor
