It is an occupational hazard of the aspiring musician to practice too much. While we require a baseline physical aptitude, music demands a lot of time inside one’s own head. The premium on memorisation attracts personalities with an ascetic disposition, who will forsake most other pastimes and pleasures without second thought. I often fit this […]
Attention Musicians: Go to the Gym! Read More »
In this class we will study the joints from the hips down. We look at the important role they play in our music-making, even for those of us who predominantly play their instrument with their hands. We discuss the need to integrate and involve the whole body in our playing, such that we are not
Mapping Hips, Legs and Feet Read More »
What happens to your body as you breathe in different ways? We will look at the lungs, building knowledge of where they actually are, how big they are, what their function is, and how they relate to the ribs and to arm movement. We will learn about the jaw and the throat and tongue, and
Where is the wrist? How is it organised, and how do we use it without injuring ourselves? Why do ganglions occur? In this class we uncover the minutiae of our hands and fingers, exploring their bones, ligaments and muscles, to find softness, strength, space and flexibility.
Our Wrists and Hands Read More »
The arms are the most marvellously organised body parts, capable of the most intricate and varied movements. But there are countless misunderstandings about them, which often lead to strains and injuries. Here, we unpick some of those issues and deepen our knowledge about one the most important body parts for musicians. What exactly is an
This class explores Dynamic Balance; the importance of finding balance within the whole body. We discuss the role of the spine in finding good balance, and uncover some of the misconceptions that regularly lead to problems. And we will look at the six main points of balance and consider how they each relate to general
Here, we will explore how the body map works, and investigate the latest neurological understanding of how the brain governs our movements. We will look at the basics of how our unique body map influences our movement patterns, and how to go about correcting mis-mappings. Participants will be encouraged to consider the brain as a
Breath is a wise teacher when it comes to the shape of gesture and phrasing. Inspiration and expression hold a key to finding balance in performance. The breath, because it is always here and yet always changing, is a steady anchor when there is anxiety. Mindfulness of the breath teaches us both to connect to
The Breathing Musician Read More »
The body is the musician’s true instrument, and yet many musicians are disconnected from their somatic experience, having learned to play only with their heads and their hands. Mindfulness of the body cultivates an ability to listen to the wisdom of the body, grounds us in presence and regulates the nervous system, promoting a sense
The Embodied Musician Read More »
Mindfulness is not not thinking or getting rid of feelings, but rather a way of meeting our experience with kindness and acceptance. Because music unfolds moment by moment, musical practice is a perfect arena in which to cultivate attention that is non-reactive, non-judgemental, grounded in the body and open-hearted. Mindfulness also balances the left and
What is Mindfulness for Musicians? Read More »
