I spent two weeks in Montreal where I did a lab with composers, artists, and performers. The music and the development of creative processes was extraordinary! I learned so much, however I want to emphasize the discoveries I found with my body.
Continue reading New trips, Old patternsAll posts by Gabriela
Body Mapping in the orchestra!
Image by Ioana Sasu from Pixabay
In September 2018 the NSO Health and Wellness Committee (Newfoundland Symphonic Orchestra) was created and since then, we discovered some of the challenges that musicians have in the orchestra. In 2019 the NSO-H&W Committee started Body Mapping mini-workshops for orchestra’s members!
Continue reading Body Mapping in the orchestra!Musicians of all instruments, levels, and genres are welcome!
Prevent injuries, tension, and discomfort caused by playing music! Learn about the relationship between your body and your instrument!
- Understand and experience how the body moves by following its natural design.
- Identify your own patterns of movement and learn how to transform them for playing free of tension.
- Discover the benefits of being aware of your body!
We will explore:
Morning session:
- The importance of body awareness in learning music and what body maps are
- Sitting and standing while playing
- How the legs move
Afternoon session:
- Common injuries in the arms
- Breathing!
- We will apply Body Mapping to your instrument (Bring you instrument! Piano is available)
Continue reading Musicians of all instruments, levels, and genres are welcome!
Attention Percussionists!
For a year full of music!
Registration Open!
Women musicians! Let’s get together and learn about our bodies!
The body map is a representation of the body in the brain, the perceptions that we have of our own bodies that influence our movements for any activity. Interaction with people and all the messages from the “outside” shape the body map, our own perception of the self.
So, bodies are not just bones, muscles, and organs; bodies also have different meanings.
FREE TALK!
I Have Wide Experience in Performing, Performing Fragmented
The body is the medium to create sound and for some of us it’s the vessel and the beginning of everything.
PART 1
A Fragmented Body
At the beginning I didn’t have awareness in my body.
I learned to play from watching movements and copying them. I practiced for hours, days, months, and years. Most of the time it worked, but not always.
My illusion was that if I matched all those movements and performed them, I was going to play correctly. Faithful to my ideas, I didn’t question and I followed the instructions.
Early in my studies I started having some pain and later I was labeled as a musician with tendonitis. Continue reading I Have Wide Experience in Performing, Performing Fragmented
How Does Your Body React When You’re Stressed in a Music Setting?
There are numerous stories in our journey of music making. Some of them make us feel complete and encourage us to keep going and enjoy our music. However, there are also times when we face situations that make us believe that we are not talented (“enough”) and lose our confidence.
If you want to know how these experiences feel in your body, try the next exercise!
Continue reading How Does Your Body React When You’re Stressed in a Music Setting?
Are percussionists the freest instrumentalists?
Barbara and William Conable, who are Alexander Technique teachers and developers of Body Mapping, are the authors of How to Learn the Alexander Technique: A manual for students. They explain common misperceptions in the body that musicians have that cause them tension. The part for percussionists says: Continue reading Are percussionists the freest instrumentalists?