Playing Well
Anatomy+Movement Series
Playing Well Series 1:
Anatomy+Movement
for Instrumental Musicians
Anatomy+Movement for Instrumental Musicians explores the anatomical and movement principles that govern efficient and effective physical motion, and provides musicians with “operating instructions” for their own bodies. Through original and curated content and the expert perspectives of physicians, therapists, and musicians, you will learn about common movement patterns that may lead to musicians’ injuries and disorders, movements and positions that may prevent pain and decrease the likelihood of injury, and how the body’s structure and function can impact musical performance – with expert guidance on how to apply the anatomical and movement knowledge you gain in this course to your work in practice and performance.
The Anatomy+Movement for Instrumental Musicians courses are the first courses in the Playing Well Series, and serve as the basis for all subsequent coursework in the Playing Well Series.
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Starting Your Anatomy+Movement Study establishes an understanding of the basic anatomical and movement concepts that serve as the foundation for the entire series. Information on the function of the muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems as it applies specifically to musicians is introduced, along with key anatomical and movement terms and concepts used throughout the series.
Duration: 8 hours of asynchronous, self-paced learning |
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Shoulder and Arm explores upper extremity anatomy, movement, and function, and takes an in-depth look at the dynamics of the elbow and shoulder girdle in performance and daily life. Information on common musicians’ injuries of the shoulder and elbow, guided movement analysis of the arm and shoulder complex, and injury prevention tips are presented in a comprehensible and immediately applicable format.
Duration: 8 hours of asynchronous, self-paced learning |
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Forearm and Hand builds on the information presented in Shoulder and Arm with a focus on the forearm, wrist, and hand. The nerves of the upper extremity and their associated syndromes are introduced, along with tips for preventing common musicians’ injuries in the hand, wrist, and fingers. Analysis of forearm, wrist, and finger movement is included, with special emphasis on movements and positions used frequently in performance.
Duration: 8 hours of asynchronous, self-paced learning |
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Head, Neck, Torso, and Breathing explores the spine, the muscles of the back and abdomen, the dynamics of the head/neck ensemble, and the anatomy and physiology of breathing, both at rest and under the demands of performance. Also included are the muscles of the pelvis and their role in breathing and locomotion, movement analysis of the head and neck in performance, and a discussion of the autonomic nervous system and its implications in performance. |
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Dynamic Posture, Leg, And Gait introduces the basics of healthy alignment and biomechanics, the role of the pelvis and lower extremity in maintaining a strong base of support in performance, and how proprioception and kinesthesia influence the body in motion. Analysis skills learned throughout the series are further integrated in a guided exploration of the principles of balanced posture and whole-body movement analysis in performance. |
CONTENT AREAS COVERED
IN PLAYING WELL INCLUDE:
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Anatomy+Movement for Instrumental Musicians explores the anatomical and movement principles that govern efficient and effective physical motion, and provides musicians with “operating instructions” for their own bodies. Through original and curated content and the expert perspectives of physicians, therapists, and musicians, you will learn about common movement patterns that may lead to musicians’ injuries and disorders, movements and positions that may prevent pain and decrease the likelihood of injury, and how the body’s structure and function can impact musical performance – with expert guidance on how to apply the anatomical and movement knowledge you gain in this course to your work in practice and performance. The Anatomy+Movement for Instrumental Musicians series comprises the first courses in the Playing Well program of study, and serves as the basis for all subsequent Playing Well coursework. |
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Musicians’ Playing-Related Medical Conditions and Treatments explores instrumental musicians’ playing-related disorders and their clinical evaluation and treatments. Course topics include an overview of risk factors and injury mechanisms, principles of treatment, medical examinations, and specific injuries and treatments by body region. Through original and curated content, you will receive information from the expert perspectives of physicians, therapists, and musicians and complete a practical capstone project designed to apply medical and therapeutic knowledge to your work in practice and performance. |
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Injury Prevention and Retraining Strategies for Instrumental Musicians |
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Mental Fitness for Performing Artists |
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