Healthy Playing Posture for Violinists and Violists
I teach a Pilates class for instrumentalists at the Governor’s School for the Arts in Virginia. Though open to all instrumentalists, this class is primarily composed of violinists and violists. I think there is no coincidence there; while all musicians benefit from exercise and physical conditioning, the violin and viola bring some unique physical considerations. I asked this group of students if they have any physical challenges in playing, and if so, what are those challenges? Two answers from the students caught my attention, and they both have to do with posture. One student talked abou...