Whether you're a performer or teacher, instrumentalist or vocalist, in order to prolong your enjoyment of music and your professional career it's essential to stay fit and healthy. There is a wealth of information bout being a healthy musician available online and through specialist organisations. We've started a list of our top tips, which is by no means comprehensive - please let us know your thoughts and add your own tops tips and techniques that you've tried and tested!
1. Look after your hearing: High noise levels and loud special effects are often a hazard of the job. The website www.soundadvice.info gives useful guidance on what you can do to avoid the harmful effects of prolonged exposure to these. The MU also offer a Hearing Passport scheme for members offering hearing examination, assessment and advice.
2. Take care of your voice: Inside the Voice, a recent publication from Sing Up, shed light on this issue for teachers, quoting research that has shown almost a third of teachers have had vocal health problems at one point. This this accessible and engaging resource has been created by Stuart Barr and Jenevora Williams. Designed for classroom teachers and other professional voice users, it contains everything you need to know about how your voice works, and how you can look after it. Click here to download the guide for free!
3. Physical and mental wellbeing: From physical pain and tension injuries to voice strain or stage fright, early recognition of symptoms is key. The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) offer a range of medical support services for performing and teaching musicians, including free health assessment clinics by appointment.
The London Region of the Musicians' Union is hosting a FREE event for MU members and MusicLeader members covering ‘Health and Hearing’ for performing and teaching musicians. A panel of experts will give short presentations which will be followed by a Q&A session.
Registration will take place at 5pm and the seminar will start promptly at 5.30pm with presentations from:
• Paul Checkley, Musicians’ Hearing Services
• Sanchita Farruque, BAPAM
• Jenevora Williams, Singing Consultant, Teacher and Vocal Health Expert
The advice and guidance offered will be relevant for both performers and musicians who teach and there will be drinks and networking from 7.30pm – 8.30pm, offering a chance for attendees to meet with speakers, MU officials, MusicLeader staff and fellow musicians.
The event is FREE to members of MU and/or MusicLeader but booking is essential as places are limited. Please click here to book.
No comments:
Post a Comment