Most singers at the recreational level have had little or no training. But, according to speech pathologist and voice consultant Joanna Cazden, this can put them at risk for vocal strain. “Who would run a half-marathon without learning a bit about running technique and pacing? Singing is equally athletic, just with tinier muscles! But people are […]
Focal dystonia is a neurological movement disorder affecting 1% to 2% of musicians, where involuntary muscle movements occur in various parts of the body. It is typically focal, affecting one body area, and task-specific, occuring during the performance of a specific task, for example, playing a musical instrument. Symptoms The first signs of dystonia are […]
Daniel Trush was 12 years old when a brain aneurysm changed life as he knew it. He spent the next two years in a wheelchair, and had to relearn how to walk and talk. Before the aneurysm, Trush played guitar and trumpet, and one thing that brought him a lot of joy during recovery was […]
One out of five Americans suffers from some sort of arthritis, or chronic joint pain, so it is not surprising that there are many musicians affected.
It’s not “the summer of ’69” anymore and playing ’til your fingers bleed isn’t the greatest idea, no matter how sentimental it sounds. Taking care of your hands and wrists is important to get the most out of your music. Any musician who practices regularly can attest that overuse of the hand muscles can cause […]