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Musicians' health and wellness

Resources to support musicians' health and wellness

Searching for information about injury prevention and treatment

On this page, you will find examples of resources related to certain aspects of injury prevention and treatment.

Find additional resources by searching with relevant keywords in the Library's catalogue.

Another way to find information on these topics is to link to the following subject headings. Each link retrieves all items in the Library's collection that have been assigned the given description, based on the item's subject matter:

Injury prevention and treatment: General resources

  • The Athletic Musician: A Guide to Playing Without Pain by Barbara Paull and Christine Harrison
    RC965 P46 P38 1997, Marvin Duchow Music Library

    A methodical guide on how to prevent and manage injuries, tailored to a musician's point of view.
     
  • Bassist's Guide to Injury Management, Prevention and Better Health by Randall Kertz
    RC965 P46 K47 2011, Marvin Duchow Music Library

    Written specifically for electric bass players, and including information for double bass players as well, this book explains injuries and conditions prevalent in bass players and how to treat or avoid them. Features advice from top bassists such as Victor Wooten and Esperanza Spalding, as well as an easy-to-use symptom reference guide to help pinpoint sources of injury.
     
  • The Biology of Musical Performance and Performance-Related Injury by Alan Watson
    E-book & ML3820 W27 2009, with accompanying CD-ROM available from the 4th floor Service Desk, Marvin Duchow Music Library

    An insightful book on the anatomical aspects of music-making processes. Detailed, yet assuming no prior scientific knowledge, it explains posture, limb movements, breathing, embouchure muscles, the respiratory tract, the larynx and vocal tract, the brain, and stress. One chapter deals with the causes of performance-related injuries and how to avoid or mitigate them. Includes a CD-ROM with diagrams, animations, and videos.
     
  • Dr. Pascarelli's Complete Guide to Repetitive Strain Injury by Emil Pascarelli
    ​WE 175 P278d 2004, Schulich Library of Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Engineering

    A comprehensive general guide on repetitive strain injuries, from diagnosis to treatment to prevention. Not restricted to musicians.
     
  • Fit as a Fiddle: The Musician's Guide to Playing Healthy by William Dawson
    ML3820 D38 2008, Marvin Duchow Music Library

    Written for instrumentalists of all levels, this accessible book provides essential musicians' health information as well as a glossary of simple and advanced medical terms. 
     
  • Medical Problems of Performing Artists by the Performing Arts Medicine Association
    E-journal & RC963.6 M42, Marvin Duchow Music Library

    The first and foremost scientific medical journal devoted to health problems of performing artists. Features original peer-reviewed research papers covering a wide array of disorders, such as neurological disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, hearing disorders, and anxiety.
     
  • Medical Problems of the Instrumentalist Musician by Raoul Tuniana and Peter C. Amadio
    ​ML3820 M43 2000, Marvin Duchow Music Library
     
  • Musician's Yoga: A Guide to Practice, Performance, and Inspiration by Mia Olson
    RA781.7 O47 2009, Marvin Duchow Music Library

  • Playing (Less) Hurt: An Injury Guide for Musicians by Janet Horvath
    ML3820 H6 2010, Marvin Duchow Music Library

    A highly recommended book on musicians' injuries. Horvath demonstrates deep knowledge of musicians' physiology and psyche, and provides specific tools to avoid and alleviate injuries.
     
  • Protect Your Neuromusculoskeletal and Vocal Health Every Day by the National Association of Schools of Music and the Performing Arts Medicine Association

    A handout specifically written for music students, with information on protecting yourself from the various neuromusculoskeletal issues that can affect musicians.
     
  • Teaching Healthy Musicianship: The Music Educator's Guide to Injury Prevention and Wellness by Nancy Taylor
    ​ML3820 T39 2016, Marvin Duchow Music Library
     
  • Yoga with Adriene: A YouTube channel for practicing yoga in your own home, with videos of varied lengths and goals.

Alexander Technique resources

Body Mapping resources

Feldenkrais resources

  • Awareness Through Movement: Health Exercises for Personal Growth by Moshé Feldenkrais
    RA781 F44 1977, McLennan Humanities and Social Sciences Library

    Written by the pioneer of the Feldenkrais method, this book provides a practical program for a healthy mind and body. It focuses on building better body habits and increasing awareness through physical and mental exercises.
     
  • The Feldenkrais Guild of North America: An online resource with articles and information on the Feldenkrais method, as well as listings of Feldenkrais practitioners by country and city.
     
  • Relaxercise: The Easy New Way to Health & Fitness by David Zemach-Bersin, Kaethe Zemach, and Mark Reese
    RA781 Z46 1990 , Marvin Duchow Music Library

    An exercise program based on the Feldenkrais method, designed to improve posture, flexibility, and physical comfort.
     
  • What is Feldenkrais? 

    An overview of the method by a Feldenkrais practitioner.
     

Focal dystonia resources

Stretching resources

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) resources

Location and contacts

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Contact:
Marvin Duchow Music Library
Elizabeth Wirth Music Building
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Subjects: Music

Resource key

  • McGill users only
  • Open access resource
  • Free resource
  • In-library use
  • Catalogue record

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