Musician, Heal Thyself!

A healthier approach to music making begins today with the ideas and insights presented in Musician, Heal Thyself! Pain in the shoulder region is one of the most common problems afflicting instrumentalists, vocalists, and conductors alike. Using the principles of body mapping, musicians can free themselves of their shoulder pain, injury, and limitations, leading to more expressive and healthy music making. While keenly aware of the importance of whole-body balance and context, this book presents the four most common patterns that cause shoulder pain and fatigue, along with guidance on how to "remap" the body for healthier whole-arm movements in playing, singing, and conducting. Also included in the book are images and photographs of world-class musicians who exhibit exemplary arm movement and a free shoulder region in their performances. Especially helpful are the book's movement exploration activities, supplemental online video links, and the appendix, which outlines the functions of the shoulder region muscles in layman's vocabulary.