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As a classically-trained dancer who now performs Middle Eastern Dance professionally, I've always been conscious of my body; Working closely with musicians, I've often been amazed that the principles of warming up, alignment, and so on are unknown or ignored by them, who use their bodies in such precise ways. I have the misfortune of having an anatomical leg-length discrepancy, and therefore am more prone to injury and misalignment issues than the average person, and I've always had to be more aware of proper form than the most dancers. I believe this asymmetry has ultimately been a blessing, though, as due to my long-term attention to my body, I've prevented many injuries and I enjoy better fitness than I would have. I consider myself in many ways to be a musician whose body is the instrument whose music manifests itself visually, therefore, I listened to this segment with great interest. Thank you for your broadcast!

Great show John! Ms Keller is a great spokesperson for this issue. She should write a book on it, if she hasn't already. Thanks!

My first experience with musical injury was also brought about by playing heavy brass instruments - most particularly the marching baritone horn. After x-rays and exams, the best the doctors could offer was muscle relaxants. In the two decades since, we've come a LONG way in dealing with musical injuries - I now teach Body Mapping to help musicians avoid injury and optimize performance, and am an associate with the University of Colorado-Boulder Musicians' Wellness Initiative. Thanks for this great interview - I'll be posting a link to it on our Facebook page!

I'm a double bass player who had to change majors because I could not perform my final recital due to trigger-finger in the left index finger. I had corrective surgery several years ago and am now teaching music. Thank you for spending time on this very important topic.

As a choral singer, I often hold music in a standing position. I think this contributes to a very sharp pain in the back of my neck, especially sharp pain to the touch. What would you recommend?

I am a jazz trombonist in Brooklyn. I suffered a hiatal hernia most likely from playing a show on a full stomach. Now I make sure I do not eat too much before playing or practicing which is not so easy to do when you play music for a living!

I am an oboist. I find that the trend today is to build heavier and heavier instruments. When I play all of the weight of the instrument is on my thumb, which after a while transfers pain to my upper forearm. I take frequent breaks and try to even stretch while I am in performance, but still find their is pain, often for hours afterwards. I have tried neck straps, but find them to be very constricting to the way that I use the reed. Do you have any suggestions?

my son is a computer programmer; he, like many of his colleagues, has developed carpal tunnel or related syndromes.
does the guest have any suggestions for these, albeit non-musical, problems?

(btw, good topic)

Hi,

I play jazz guitar (jazz major student). Recently, practicing a lot in fast tempos(6-8 hours) for my final juries in school. And I started to feel that my left hand started getting tired, after the juries, I've been practicing much less 2-3 hours a day in a very relaxed easy motion. But I still feel that my left hand getting tired much faster than before.

Could you advice something in my case.

Kind Regards,

Anton Kosachev

A friend of mine cured his performance injury problem by addressing underlying psychological issues and repressed emotions. Have you heard of this and is there any truth behind it?

I get what I call "painter's knee" from pivoting on one foot when I step back to see what I've done.

I've watched the Julliard trained violin shredder "The Great Kat" play behind her head. Moving the instrument around like that might reduce the repetition.

I heard Katy Keller declare that Juilliard is the only school to include onsite physical therapy. Not true. I am an Arts Professor at NYU/Tisch School of the Arts Dance Department, where I'm happy to say we also have an in-house physical therapist, giving weekly individual appointments for students. We also devote part of one day each week to somatic practice within our regular technique classes, both modern and ballet. In addition, we have regular, rotating classes by renowned kinesiologist Irene Dowd, who also teaches at Juilliard. The physical health of our dancers, while performing the most advanced, physically virtuosic movement on a daily basis, is a prime concern of our training. The graduates of our Tisch/Dance program are among the movers and shakers of American dance today, both as choreographers and dancers on Broadway and with such notable companies as Mark Morris Dance Group, Stephen Petronio, David Dorfman, Larry Keigwin, Doug Varone, Kate Weare, among many others.

awww. so no call of duty: modern warfare x for me if i play a stringed instrument?

Why does a violin have to be bruising the chin?
Why can't it be held against the chest?
What about using a stand or holder?

I graduated from Juilliard a few years ago and having physical therapy so readily available to us was an important part of our education. In addition to increasing longevity by avoiding problems snowballing into career-enders, it provided some insight into how our own "instrument" (our bodies, whether we are a dancer, actor or musician) works, which can offer as many additional choices as it does restrictions.

I am a 125 pound, 5 foot 4 woman who plays primarily Baritone saxophone. I use a body harness, not a neck strap, but I find that it still causes a lot of shoulder and neck problems. Yoga, and staying in shape/working out helps...but its just a really big and heavy instrument to play.

How and where can one study this particular type of physical therapy?

What modalities does Ms. Keller employ?

THANK YOU.

I've heard Juilliard employs an Alexander Technique teacher in their music program. How does the Alexander Technique help musicians?

I hope your guest mentions Rolfing/Structural Integration. I've had great
success treating actors and musicians. Thanks