I now have some very simple, concrete tools to help me achieve the sounds and feelings in my practicing at home. I've so often made a connection in a lesson, feeling like I'm having a breakthrough, only to have it slip through my fingers again when I'm on my own. The movements I'm learning through the Body Mapping are simple, memoroable, and reliable - always there when I need them.
-Diana B., performer & teacher
I've so often made a connection in a lesson, feeling like I.m having a breakthrough, only to have it slip through my fingers again when I'm on my own. I now have very simple, concrete tools to help me achieve the sounds and feelings in my practicing at home that I could in our sessions. The movements I'm learning through the Body Mapping are simple, memorable, and reliable - always there when I need them.
-D. Brewer, professional performer & educator
I'm thrilled -- after just one lesson with you I was able to breathe better, stand straighter, and get a far better tone on the flute than I ever had before. Suddenly playing the instrument was a lot more rewarding and fun.
-John C., flutist
I also wanted to send you that info on what happened to my golf game after participating in your course. Because I am a Music Specialist in the Reading School System and a member of several choruses, I felt it was very important to learn about Body Mapping to improve performance techniques. What I never expected as an outcome from this course was such a marked improvement in my golf game. ... I was able to play a 9-Hole round of golf the day after my first mapping course. My team mates, who I play with all the time, thought they had come to the golf course with a new player! ... not only did I hit the ball further than I have done in the past, I was hitting great shots consistently. I had to go up to the next higher club on many shots (which doesn't travel as far) because I was over shooting my targets. I have found that Body Mapping not only improves the musician's performance but the athlete's performance.
-Alicia M., educator, musician & athlete
My daughter did a wonderful job performing in her school Holiday show. ... it was her first public performance. She was very grounded and played well. …the anatomical work you're doing with her helped her be very centered and thus alleviated some of her nervousness. I'm very happy you're incorporating the Body Mapping work into the weekly lessons. Thank you.
-Melissa T., parent & musician
I really liked singing after learning how to stand better and move more. I could really feel the difference.
-H.S. Singer, Andover , MA
This actually helped me keep my voice from giving out, so thank you!
-H.S. singer, Andover , MA
The quality of a musician’s movement is directly related to the quality of the sound produced. In other words, good movement is an essential element to a good sound. Excess tension in any area of the body limits movement and compromises every aspect of playing from sound quality to technical facility and dynamic range. The tension can also cause physical injury. Many of the injuries that musicians suffer result from misuse of the body. Players with a serious work effort may never reach their potential simply because they are working too hard. A good and accurate body map allows the musician to begin to move beyond the limits imposed by tension and misuse. This opens the door to exciting new levels of technical facility, breath capacity, phrasing, tone colors and more. A body map is our mental representation of how we perceive the body’s construction and how it moves. It can include internal body representations of skeletal and muscular structure, function and size, as well as exterior body features. If one’s body map is inaccurate movement will be awkward. If one’s body map is accurate movement will be fluid and natural. Because movement is central to playing an instrument, a good body map goes a long way in the pursuit of technical facility, breath capacity and control and overall musicality.
Introduction to Body Mapping is for performers, teachers and students who want to play or teach better, eliminate aches and pains, and reach new levels of musicianship. The workshop is a hands-on opportunity to learn about the body’s weight delivering core, where to find support, and the most natural and efficient way to move. Armed with this information, playing any instrument becomes easier and more natural, advancement is easier and injury is prevented.Each workshop includes visual models and tactile exercises that teach attendees how the body is built and efficient movement that will enhance playing their instrument.
Workshop topics include:
- Putting Music Training on a Secure Somatic Foundation
- Balance & support through the core of the body. How to sit and stand.
- Breathing. Mapping the structures and movement of breathing.
- Arm structure. The four arm joints and how to use them with whole body support.
- Head & Neck. Releasing muscles and freeing movement throughout the body.
- Legs. Leg movement in playing.
Barbara Conable developed the Body Mapping Course as a result of her work as an Alexander Teacher. In her work as an Alexander Technique teacher she helped save the musical careers of hundreds of musicians who were injured and advance the careers of hundreds more with the same information. The Body Mapping course was developed to present an accurate picture of anatomical structure to a wider audience. Her book, What Every Musician Needs to Know About The Body is a companion to the course. For more information visit www.bodymap.org.
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