be well make music

Be Well Make Music

Thomas Mastroianni

72%

ASOL studiesCatholic University incoming Freshmen

and Sophomores Study

CUA Wellness Courses (“the 28% study”)

NIH Research (Hunter Fry)

Overuse /Repetitive Strain InjuryTendonitis (Tenosynovitis)

Inflammation Pain

IceRestPhysician Directed Medication

Alter Technique Remove Strain

Technique and The Body

Wellness ********* Prevention Efficiency ******** Avoid Excess

Diet and ExerciseWhole Body wellness

What is Technique?

Use of the instrument (voice) to make sounds that express musical content.

Use of the body for efficient music making.

Create beauty with ease !

Understand (love) the Instrument

Mechanics / NatureBeauty of toneNoise vs. musical tone

Overtones & tone quality

Understand the Body

Bones & body positionMuscles AlignmentNervesBrain

Bones and Position

Radius and UlnaRotationWrist BonesHand BonesFinger Bones

Posture

Head tilt / Larynx / shoulder musclesBack / upper arm / lungsLegs / hip / upper body posture

How Do Muscles Work?

Signal from the BrainContractionPull on TendonsConnection of Tendons to Bones

Voice

Health Encyclopedia

on the web

MusclesTendonsFinger muscles in the armFlexors / ExtensorsMuscles in the handRotatorsFinger independence vs. interdependence

Alignment

Bones align to work efficientlyMuscles pull only in a straight lineTo create a curve, more than one

muscle must work

Nerves

Signal carriersNo muscle acts without receiving a

signalClear signal = clear performanceConflicting signals = muscle tensionMusical Understanding

Nerve Routes

Signal Sending Brain to Voice, Fingers, Feet, etc. /

and back to BrainTwo Way Street – Efferent / AfferentWork order / Pain and feedback

Radial Nerve

Radius side of armThumb side of handNumbness or weakness

Ulnar NerveUlnar side of arm5th finger side of hand and palmElbow exposure

Median NerveMiddle of armMiddle of handCarpal tunnel

Carpal Tunnel

Brain

Conscious programmingAutomatic ResponsesIntention activates signalLearning formulates intentionLearning determines Technique

Brain Areas

Frontallobe

Temporallobe

Motor Strip

Parietallobe

Occipitallobe

Cerebrum

Signal relay and screening

Cerebellum - stored patterned responses,

screening

Brain stem - signal relay and screening

Your technique is only as good as your learning !

After Injury

Get Professional HelpUse diagnosis as a platform for changeReevaluate technique Make changes (the same old paths lead

to the same old destinations)Medical, musical and behavioral

prescriptions must be coordinated

Be Well, Make Music

Beauty and Pain are incompatible !Pain is useful. It indicates what we must

avoid. But “No pain, no gain” = no brain !

Music is TherapeuticThe creation of beauty is one of the most

noble human vocations. It is a joy!