Description
Music performance requires a high degree of physical skill, yet until recently, musical training has paid little attention to the considerable demands made on the mind and body. The Biology of Musical Performance and Performance-Related Injury presents singers and instrumentalists with accurate information on the physical processes that underlie their craft. The book provides a concise overview of the biological principles associated with performance technique while assuming no prior scientific knowledge, making it accessible to both musicians and to health professionals who treat performance-related medical conditions. Author Alan H. D. Watson explains the concepts and techniques of music performance, discussing themes such as posture and the back; movements of the arm and hand and associated problems; breathing in singers and wind players; the embouchure and respiratory tract in wind playing; the larynx and vocal tract in singers; the brain and its role in skill acquisition and aural processing; and stress and its management. Watson offers performers and teachers the tools they need to create a rational approach to the development and communication of technique. He also provides insight into the origins of performance-related injury, helping to reduce the risk of such problems by encouraging a technique that is sustainable in the long term. Each chapter includes several illustrations and an extensive bibliography for further reading. To support the text, a CD-Rom is included, featuring original diagrams that clearly illustrate the relevant aspects of body structure and function, explaining and illuminating key concepts through an extensive set of animations, sound files, and videos.
About the Author
Alan H. D. Watson is Senior Lecturer in Anatomy and Neuroscience in the School of Bioscience at Cardiff University. He also teaches a course on music biology at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Reviews
This work fills a gap in the written knowledge on work and performance-related injuries specific to musicians....An in-depth index enables use of this work as a reference, while the numerous illustrations enhance the comprehensibility of the often complex subjects associated with music biology. A valuable work for any practicing or training musician, this work is also a great resource in any medical-related library where there is a need to understand this unique population's concerns and issues. * American Reference Books Annual, May 2009 *
Papers devoted to this subject are scarce. A whole book like this, who covers all kind of instrument-from the human voice up to wind or cord instruments-mixed with up-to-dated concepts on the neurology of performing or learning music is a black pearl. Highly readable with very good drawings. Further editions will turn it in the Bible of musician injuries. Extremely good and complete bibliography....Congratulations to both the author-Alan H. D. Watson-and the publisher-Scarecrow Press, Inc. -- C. Blejer, Former Orthopaedic Surgeon
This may be the book that many readers have been waiting for . . . it attempts to bridge the chasm, more often successfully than not, between the scientist/health care professional and the musician. . . . The author's writing is straightforward and clear, with a tone more scientific than artistic. . . . Overall, I can highly recommend The Biology of Musical Performance and Performance Related Injury. * JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, March 2010 *
The best book in its field yet to be published ...is highly recommended for those in any discipline who are committed to the performance health of musicians.... Besides being a pleasure to read, the book is a scholarly work that is amply documented with appropriate references. To supplement the written work, numerous deceptively simple figures illustrate the text and often provide additional information.... This is a unique and outstanding book that readers will find to be good reading as well as informative. Unquestionably, it belongs in the libraries of all universities where music is taught and in music conservatories. The Biology of Musical Performance and Performance-Related Injury should be required reading for instrumental and vocal teachers alike, whereas for those concerned with the medical well-being of musicians it is a near encyclopedic source of information applicable to patient care, both preventive and therapeutic. * Music Reference Services Quarterly *
This impressive book is highly recommended for college libraries as well as scholarly readers. The text is accessible and very informative.... Successful.... An excellent book on an important topic. -- Geary H. Larrick * NACWPI Journal, May 2009 *
This will undoubtedly be an invaluable resource for those researching the physiology and biomechanics of performing musicians. In light of this, music performance students would no doubt benefit from having access to this book. Additionally, any institution or centre conducting related research would be well advised to acquire a copy. * British Journal of Music Education *
This book was drawn to my attention with the comment 'Read it - it is fantastic!' I have now read it, and totally agree with that verdict....The length of this review is indicative of the wealth of information and understanding that I think is relevant to singing teachers, and which is presented here in an amazingly understandable and comprehensive format. * Singing Magazine *
Book Information
ISBN 9780810863590
Author Alan H. D. Watson
Page Count 392
Imprint Scarecrow Press
Publisher Scarecrow Press
Weight(grams) 835g
Dimensions(mm) 255mm * 178mm * 24mm
About the Author
Alan H. D. Watson is Senior Lecturer in Anatomy and Neuroscience in the School of Bioscience at Cardiff University. He also teaches a course on music biology at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Reviews
This work fills a gap in the written knowledge on work and performance-related injuries specific to musicians....An in-depth index enables use of this work as a reference, while the numerous illustrations enhance the comprehensibility of the often complex subjects associated with music biology. A valuable work for any practicing or training musician, this work is also a great resource in any medical-related library where there is a need to understand this unique population's concerns and issues. * American Reference Books Annual, May 2009 *
Papers devoted to this subject are scarce. A whole book like this, who covers all kind of instrument-from the human voice up to wind or cord instruments-mixed with up-to-dated concepts on the neurology of performing or learning music is a black pearl. Highly readable with very good drawings. Further editions will turn it in the Bible of musician injuries. Extremely good and complete bibliography....Congratulations to both the author-Alan H. D. Watson-and the publisher-Scarecrow Press, Inc. -- C. Blejer, Former Orthopaedic Surgeon
This may be the book that many readers have been waiting for . . . it attempts to bridge the chasm, more often successfully than not, between the scientist/health care professional and the musician. . . . The author's writing is straightforward and clear, with a tone more scientific than artistic. . . . Overall, I can highly recommend The Biology of Musical Performance and Performance Related Injury. * JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, March 2010 *
The best book in its field yet to be published ...is highly recommended for those in any discipline who are committed to the performance health of musicians.... Besides being a pleasure to read, the book is a scholarly work that is amply documented with appropriate references. To supplement the written work, numerous deceptively simple figures illustrate the text and often provide additional information.... This is a unique and outstanding book that readers will find to be good reading as well as informative. Unquestionably, it belongs in the libraries of all universities where music is taught and in music conservatories. The Biology of Musical Performance and Performance-Related Injury should be required reading for instrumental and vocal teachers alike, whereas for those concerned with the medical well-being of musicians it is a near encyclopedic source of information applicable to patient care, both preventive and therapeutic. * Music Reference Services Quarterly *
This impressive book is highly recommended for college libraries as well as scholarly readers. The text is accessible and very informative.... Successful.... An excellent book on an important topic. -- Geary H. Larrick * NACWPI Journal, May 2009 *
This will undoubtedly be an invaluable resource for those researching the physiology and biomechanics of performing musicians. In light of this, music performance students would no doubt benefit from having access to this book. Additionally, any institution or centre conducting related research would be well advised to acquire a copy. * British Journal of Music Education *
This book was drawn to my attention with the comment 'Read it - it is fantastic!' I have now read it, and totally agree with that verdict....The length of this review is indicative of the wealth of information and understanding that I think is relevant to singing teachers, and which is presented here in an amazingly understandable and comprehensive format. * Singing Magazine *
Book Information
ISBN 9780810863590
Author Alan H. D. Watson
Page Count 392
Imprint Scarecrow Press
Publisher Scarecrow Press
Weight(grams) 835g
Dimensions(mm) 255mm * 178mm * 24mm
