A Personal Investigation into Strategies for Healthy and Effective Musical Practice

Abstract

In today’s world there is a high incidence of playing-related injury among musicians. A study conducted in 2012 found that over 80% of surveyed professional orchestral musicians in Australia had experienced a musculoskeletal injury that interfered with their work (Ackermann, Driscoll, & Kenny, 2012, p. 183). One of the potential causal factors in the development of a playing-related injury is an inefficient and unhealthy practice routine. Fortunately, healthy and effective practice habits can be learned. The inclusion of information about practice strategies in the curriculum of young musicians working towards a performance career could be very beneficial in reducing the risk of injury for those musicians throughout their careers. Although there has been an increase in the attention given to music health research over the last 40 years, many educational institutions still do not adequately teach their students skills for developing a healthy and effective practice routine, nor do they provide sufficient information about injury prevention and management techniques. This research aims to add to the literature surrounding the development of a healthy and effective practice routine by investigating the author’s own experience of injury and recovery as a young musician training for a career in music. It also aims to share evidence about the potential for effective practice techniques to reduce or resolve physical and psychological challenges for musicians. This study begins with an examination of the author’s experience before and during her period of injury in order to determine the nature of the physical and psychological challenges that led to the breakdown of her general well-being. The main body of this research concerns the author’s attempts to overcome these challenges through the use of techniques for effective practice, and documents the results of their implementation. Although professional medical advice played a role in determining recovery strategies, the major focus investigated is the significant improvements to the researcher’s physical and psychological well-being resulting from self-guided changes to her practice approach. The last chapter of this research discusses recommendations for a sustainable career model, drawing together information from the literature and from the researcher’s own experience of injury and recovery.