Wellness is a topic of fundamental importance to musicians because music making involves everything that we are – our bodies, minds, and spirits. Knowledge of self-care and injury prevention, therefore, is as crucial to musicians as are technical and interpretive abilities. Hence, themes of musicians’ wellness interweave throughout The Musician’s Way. Chapters 12 and 13, in particular, tackle matters of health and injury prevention. The links on this page complement that material.
A word of caution: MusiciansWay.com and The Musician’s Way book include information about how musicians can flourish or become harmed in their occupations. However, the ideas presented in the book, on this site, and on the sites linked from MusiciansWay.com are not offered as substitutes for customized medical or psychological advice delivered by licensed healthcare practitioners. Before you make decisions concerning your health and prior to beginning any exercise, diet, or wellness regimen, consult a healthcare professional.
Injury prevention for instrumentalists | Voice care | Locate a specialist | General health | Counteracting substance abuse | Alexander technique | Feldenkrais method | Ergonomics | Reference | Hearing conservation |
Injury prevention for instrumentalists (see p. 229-291 of The Musician's Way)
"The 12 Habits of Healthy Musicians." An article on The Musician's Way Blog.
“Musicians and Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI): Symptoms and Types of Injuries.” A 4-page summary published by SHAPE (Safety and Health in Arts Production and Entertainment, 2003).
“Musicians and MSI: Prevention and Treatment.” A 4-page factsheet from SHAPE (2003).
"Looking at Musicians' Health through the 'Ages.' " From the June, 2009 issue of Medical Problems of Performing Artists. Physician and researcher Ralph Manchester, M.D., discusses the prevalence and incidence of playing-related injury among musicians.
In this article, "Things Are Seldom What They Seem," arts medicine specialist Alice Brandfonbrener, M.D., advises musicians how and how not to get help when injury symptoms arise.
“Exercise for Musicians: Flay Fit, Not Flat.” Physiotherapist Bronwen Ackermann, Ph.D., concisely describes how regular exercise benefits musicians and reduces their risk of injury.
“Music Medicine,” by Alice Brandfonbrener and James Kjelland, a chapter in The Science & Psychology of Music Performance, edited by Richard Parncutt and Gary McPherson, 83-96 (Oxford, 2002).
“Musculoskeletal Disorders Affecting Musicians and Considerations for their Prevention.” A 75-slide presentation by physiotherapist Patrice Berque; includes anatomical drawings and photos. Courtesy of Musicians’ Health Scotland.
“Musicians and Musculoskeletal Injuries,” by physiotherapist Cynthia C. Carsley. A 77-slide presentation highlighting causes, prevention, and treatment of common musicians’ injures, with descriptions, photographs and anatomical drawings.
“Preventing Musculoskeletal Injury for Musicians and Dancers.” A 135-page ebook from SHAPE (2002).
“Overuse Injuries: How String Players Can Recognize, Prevent, and Treat Them" by Richard Norris, M.D. Strings magazine, 1989. Of value to all instrumentalists.
“What Studying Musicians Tells Us about Motor Control of the Hand.” A 25-page article by Alan H. D. Watson, Ph.D. (2006).
“An Orchestra Musician's Perspective on 20 Years of Performing Arts Medicine.” An insightful article by Janet Horvath (2001).
Read the Proceedings of the International Symposium on Performance Science, 2009. Numerous articles summarizing current research.
Preview the 2009 edition of Playing (less) Hurt by Janet Horvath.
Preview The Musician’s Body: A Maintenance Manual for Peak Performance, by Rosset i Llobet, Odam, and Oliveres i Gili (Ashgate, 2007).
The Musician’s Survival Manual, by Richard Norris (1993) is available for download from Janet Horvath’s online store. More than 15 years after its publication, this pioneering 140-page booklet remains highly relevant.
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Voice care (see p. 268-277 of The Musician's Way); see also For Singers
“Advice for Care of the Voice,” from the Texas Voice Center.
“Fit to Sing.” A factsheet from the British Association of Performing Arts Medicine.
"The 12 Habits of Healthy Musicians." An article on The Musician's Way Blog.
Vocal health guidelines from the Lions Voice Clinic of the University of Minnesota.
Video: “Clearing Your Throat: Common Causes and Treatments for Hoarseness,” by Edward Damrose, M.D., director of the Stanford Voice Center; includes moving images of the vocal folds in action.
Information from The Voice Foundation (click on the “Voice Problems” tab).
“Science for Singers.” Articles by Dr. Ingo Titze from the National Center for Voice and Speech.
“Tips for Singers and Professional Voice Users.” From The Voice Treatment Center at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center.
“Self-Help for Vocal Health.” From The National Center for Voice and Speech.
Vocal hygiene tips from the Canadian Voice Care Foundation.
“Voice Disorders Information - Vocal Nodules.” A concise article by Sara Harris, of The Voice Clinic, London.
“The Truth about Vocal Nodules." A pamphlet from the British Voice Assoc.
“Frequently Prescribed Medications and Effects on Voice and Speech,” from the National Center for Voice and Speech (lists more than 200 medications in alphabetical order).
American Academy of Otolaryngology. Excellent tool to find an ENT near you.
Voice Academy. Vocal health for school teachers, including advice on the use of voice amplification in the classroom.
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Locate an arts medicine specialist (see p. 246-249 of The Musician's Way)
The Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA) maintains an international directory of its members. Physician Marc Brodsky may also be contacted for referrals via a link on the PAMA website.
The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine offers a directory of performing arts medicine practitioners in the U.K.
Musicians' Clinics of Canada, Toronto.
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General Health and Wellness (see The Musician's Way index)
Self-Help. Diverse wellness resources and virtual pamplets compiled by the Counseling Services Staff at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
ULifeline. “An online resource center for college student mental health and emotional wellbeing.”
Self-evaluation tool. Courtesy of ULifeline and the Duke University Medical Center; helps students gain insight into their state of mind.
Preview “Starting a Music Degree at a University,” by Stephanie Pitts, a chapter in The Music Practitioner: Research for the Music Performer, Teacher and Listener, edited by Jane W. Davidson, 215-224 (Ashgate, 2004).
Ash.org. Action on Smoking and Health. "America's first antismoking organization." Articles and resources; tips for quitting.
AuthenticHappiness.org. The website of Martin Seligman, Ph.D., founder of Positive Psychology. Numerous free articles and self-evaluations.
Texas Woman’s University Counseling Center. Online pamphlets and self-help resources.
Preview "The Education of the Professional Musician: Its Psychological Demands and Outcomes," by Anthony Kemp, Ph.D., a chapter in Musical Performance, Vol. 2, Part 3: The Education of the Professional Musician, edited by Hildegard Froehlich and Kris Chesky, 93-110 (Harwood, 2000).
PerformanceWellness.org. Articles by pianist, psychotherapist, and author Louise Montello, Ph.D.
Concise articles addressing issues of nutrition, exercise, and stress management for college students. From Dr-Bob.org.
American Dietetic Association. Nutrition information, fact sheets, & resources.
“Tips for a Healthy Diet and Better Nutrition.” From HelpGuide.org.
“Dietary Guidelines for Americans.” From the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.
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Counteracting Substance Abuse (see p. 307-309 of The Musician's Way)
Self-assessments and informational pamphlets from Dr-Bob.org.
Be Responsible about Drinking. Resources, facts, and links about alcohol use.
FactsOnTap.org. Drug and alcohol use prevention initiatives for college and pre-college students.
“How to Cut Down on Drinking,” from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA, 2001).
“College Alcohol Problems Exceed Previous Estimates,” from the NIAAA (2007).
“College Drinking: Changing the Culture.” A site created by the NIAAA.
“Drug Abuse & Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, Effects and What You Can Do.” From HelpGuide.org.
“Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism: Signs, Symptoms, Effects and What You Can Do.” From HelpGuide.org.
Guidelines for moderate drinking from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.
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Alexander Technique (see p. 250-269 of The Musician's Way)
“The Alexander Technique.” A synopsis by Sara Cohoe.
AlexanderTechnique.com. Numerous resources, including a page for musicians and a tool to locate Alexander technique teachers internationally.
AlexanderTech.org. The website of the American Society for the Alexander Technique; includes articles and a teacher-finder tool.
Alexander technique videos, by Eileen Troberman. Guidelines for sitting, breathing, using the arms, and more.
BodyMap.org. Articles, resources, and video by Barbara Conable and others.
The American Center for the Alexander Technique. Includes a tool to locate teachers in the U.S.
“Alexander Technique for Musicians.” A page with articles and links courtesy of the Alexander Technique Center.
Articles and essays for musicians by author, cellist, and Alexander technique teacher Pedro de Alcantara.
Preview Indirect Procedures: A Musician’s Guide to the Alexander Technique, by Pedro de Alcantara (Oxford, 1997).
Preview What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body: The Practical Application of Body Mapping & the Alexander Technique to Making Music, by Barbara Conable (Andover Press, 2000).
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Feldenkrais Method (see p. 250-269 of The Musician's Way)
“An Overview of the Feldenkrais Method.” A 4-page article by Ralph Strauch.
The International Feldenkrais Federation.
The Feldenkrais Guild of North America. Incorporates the website of the Feldenkrais Educational Foundation of North America.
The Feldenkrais Guild, U.K.
The Australian Feldenkrais Guild.
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Ergonomics and computer use (see p. 250-269 of The Musician's Way)
The linked pages here deal with general ergonomic issues; see Instrument-Specific Resources for additional ergonomic strategies.
Ergonomic solutions for computer workstations from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
“How to Make Your Computer Workstation Fit You.” A 40-page ebooklet from WorkSafeBC.com; includes images, guidelines, and checklists.
Workspace comfort guide from the 3M company.
Tush Cush, forward-sloping seat cushion.
Carex Memory Foam Lumbar Support Cushion, from WalMart.com (enter the underlined product name in the search window).
Fellowes Office Suites Adjustable Foot Rest from WalMart.com (enter the underlined product name in the search window).
“Typing Injury Frequently Asked Questions.” Information about computer use and avoiding repetitive strain injury.
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Search for articles about musicians' injuries and health problems in scientific and medical journals on PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
Search the bibliography maintained by the Performing Arts Medical Association.
Preview The Biology of Musical Performance and Performance-related Injury, by Alan H. D. Watson, Ph.D. (Scarecrow Press, 2009).
For anatomical images and information about anatomy, search Google Images.
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Hearing conservation (see p. 277-291 of The Musician's Way)
Hearing loss affects as many as half of all professional musicians, so hearing conservation is a topic of concern for anyone who makes music. The links here are organized under the following subheadings:
Educational resources | Environmental modifications | Hearing protection devices | Sound level meters
“Hearing Loss.” Tips and articles about preventing music-induced hearing loss from The Musicians’ Clinics of Canada.
"Hear today. Hear tomorrow." An article by Gerald Klickstein on The Musician's Way Blog.
“Sound Level Measurements in Music Practice Rooms,” by Susan Phillips and Sandra Mace. A revealing 10-page article published in the online peer-reviewed journal Music Performance Research, Vol. 2, 2008.
Free 60-minute online seminar, "Hearing Loss Prevention in Schools of Music & Music Instruction," by Kris Chesky, Ph.D., August, 2009. Includes audio and slides; courtesy of Audiology Online (requires free registration).
“Say What?” by Joanna Cazden. In this 2008 article, from Electronic Musician, you can read about music-induced hearing loss, ear anatomy, and view images of healthy and sound-damaged hair cells in the inner ear. Note that this article references the OSHA standards for noise exposure. The Musician's Way recommends that musicians apply the NIOSH standards, which are conveniently summarized on p. 280 of the book. The OSHA standards reflect a compromise between human safety and cost to industry, so they’re less stringent than the NIOSH standards, which are designed to optimally protect hearing health.
Dangerous Decibels. “A public health partnership for prevention of noise-induced hearing loss.” Extensive information and exceptional graphics; includes a virtual exhibit and teacher resources.
Hear the Music: Hearing Loss Prevention for Musicians, by Marshall Chasin, Ph.D., (Westone, 2001). This practical, 93-page booklet is sold exclusively on the Westone website.
“How Hearing Works,” by Tom Harris. From HowStuffWorks.com.
“Why do loud noises cause your ears to ring?” by Cristen Conger. This article, also from HowStuffWorks.com, includes a high-quality image of healthy hair cells in the inner ear.
Tinnitus Simulation. Shows what it’s like to be afflicted with ringing in the ears (i.e., tinnitus). Created by Dr. Billy Martin of the Oregon Hearing Research Center at Oregon Health & Science University.
Free online hearing check (please note the disclaimer).
“Are Your Medications Affecting Your Hearing?” A primer on ototoxicity from the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles, California.
“Music-Related Hearing Loss.” Read about current research at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
“Noise and Hearing Loss in Musicians.” A 39-page report by SHAPE (Safety and Health in Arts Production and Entertainment, 2005).
“Hearing Conservation for the Arts.” A 70-page report by SHAPE describing hearing issues pertaining to all arts students and professionals (2001).
Musician’s Hearing Services. A London-based firm serving musicians.
Sound Advice. A website with extensive resources and links.
Audio Demonstrations. From FreeHearingTest.com. Contains two demonstrations created by Elliott Berger, Ph.D. In the first, Dr. Berger explores aspects of hearing and then demonstrates what hearing loss sounds like. The second program illustrates how hearing protectors affect sound perception.
“The Naked Truth about Noise Reduction Ratings,” by Elliott Berger, Ph.D. This articles describes how noise reduction ratings are determined for hearing protection devices and whether those ratings are accurate.
A Sound Ear II. From the Association of British Orchestras (2008). A free 50-page ebooklet that addresses “noise at work regulations and their impact on orchestras.”
“UNT Expert Says All Musicians Risk Hearing Loss,” by Michael Mooney. This June 2007 article from the Dallas Morning News includes a video in which trumpeter and researcher Kris Chesky, Ph.D., describes his experience with music-induced hearing loss and summarizes his efforts to educate musicians about hearing conservation.
Sound levels during ensemble rehearsals. This 28-slide presentation summarizes the results of research conducted in 2007 by Kris Chesky, Ph.D., proving that “intensity levels produced during routine ensemble-based instructional activities exceed allowable limits set by the National Institutes of Occupational Safety and Health.” It also shows that exposure levels could be dramatically reduced if ensemble directors prioritize “spending more time playing at soft and medium intensity levels.”
Hearnet.com (Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers). Resources for all musicians.
“Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention: Frequently Asked Questions.” Tips from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
The Hearing Review, March 2006 issue. Focuses on the hearing issues of musicians; edited by Marshall Chasin.
Volume levels of common portable music players. From the March 2006 issue of The Hearing Review (scroll down the linked page to view a chart).
The American Academy of Audiologists. Includes a tool to locate audiologists worldwide.
“Center Helps Prevent Hearing Loss Through Awareness,” by Ellen Rossetti, UNT Research 17 (2008). Read about research at the University of North Texas Center for Music and Medicine (includes videos).
“Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Promoting Hearing Health Among Youth.” A 2009 statement by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
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Acoustical Surfaces, Inc. An industry leader in soundproofing, acoustics, and sound control.
Links from Acoustical Surfaces, Inc., including information about classroom acoustics.
Acoustic panels and soundproofing foam from American Micro Industries.
Acoustic panels from the Wenger Corporation.
Sound-absorbing baffles from ClearSonic Manufacturing.
Concise acoustical and soundproofing glossary, from American Micro Industries.
Acoustic shields from Wenger and Manhasset and Wilde & Spieth. As described on p. 285 of The Musician’s Way, shields must be positioned properly: (1) shields should be within 7 inches [18 cm] of a musician's ears; (2) shields should be angled to deflect sound away from upwind players. Percussionists: click here for information about drum shields.
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All musicians who rehearse and perform in high-volume settings are advised to see an audiologist who works with musicians to obtain a comprehensive hearing exam and receive guidance on selecting and using appropriate hearing protection devices (see p. 288-291 of The Musician's Way).
Premade musicians’ earplugs from Etymotic Research (manufacturer site). Purchase with neck cord and free shipping from Buy.com.
Custom-fitted high-fidelity musician’s plugs from Etymotic. Order through your audiologist.
Sensaphonics.com. Custom and universal-fit in-ear monitors for musicians.
Dynamic Ear Company. Sound filters and in-ear monitors for use within custom-molded earplugs.
In-ear monitors and earplugs from Westone.
The Sennheiser EW 300 G3 wireless in-ear monitoring system (manufacturer site). Click image below to purchase at a discount from GuitarCenter.com:
Shure personal monitor systems. Purchase the Shure PSM-200 and other wireless personal monitor systems at a discount from GuitarCenter.com.
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Sound level meters and dosimeters
“About Sound Level Meters,” a primer by Kendra Leonard.
Economical sound level meters from DAS Distribution.
Radio Shack sound-level meter. A classic device for consumer use (under $50).
The Cirrus Research DoseBadge. A professional-grade device used to precisely measure the sound exposure levels of musicians and workers. (Not for consumer use.)
More professional-grade sound meters and dosimeters from Larson Davis.
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