Why are you here?

[Catherine Grant]

Not an existential question! Just wondering about your interest in this topic... are you looking for tips to perform better? Ever had playing- or singing- related troubles?

And out of interest, what instrument do you play?

[Dorothy]

I am a music teacher and am always interested in learning more.

[Annette Griffin]

As a vocal tutor to students ranging in age from 7 - 18, I am most interested in any helpful tips re vocal health for young students. My main focus at this time of year is preparation of students facing a full vocal program for their HSC and combatting winter ills/chills/sore throats etc., especially during and after their school camp, which takes place only a week before their exams!! Any helpful hints/comments would be gratefully received!

[Alethea McGowan]

As a violist with small hands, and a double joint in the base knuckle of my 4th finger, I want to know about practical ways of getting around my instrument without hurting myself. Furthermore, it is important to keep the base knuckles up and fingers curled when playing viola/violin, preferrably without bending the wrist towards the scroll. Yet I know many people like myself with double joints that just can't do this.
I'm looking for insightful ways of dealing with these unchangeable physical issues of my hand/body in which I can play effectively with precision, - even if it means I sacrifice some techniques of the standard hand position, provided I don't incure injury or strains.

I know there must be a way!

(I knew a pianist with such freakishly long fingers that he played with his wrists below the keys, and his fingers stretched upon and over the keys like a hook. Yet he had no injury or strain, and he played accurately and advanced in technique like any other pianist, and he played at the speed of light.)
- So it can be done! Some of us are a little bit different to others, so I'm looking to start a support club for solutions.

[Jessica]

I am a violist and have suffered back and neck pain for the last 2 years due. I have been treated by a physio and I am practicing pilates. My pain is mostly gone and my posture has improved but I struggle to find a comfortable position in which to hold my instrument. I can not find a shoulder rest comfortable enough which will sit close enough near my collar bone and fit the body of my instrument without falling off. At the moment I am using a cloth as a substitue. If anyone has any thoughts or similar problems, I would be interested.

[Karen Lonsdale]

Am doing a Doctor of Musical Arts at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University on the topic of Injury Prevention and Management for Flute Players.

[Therese Milanovic]

I am a pianist, who struggled with playing-related injuries for about 9 years before I came across the Taubman Approach in the US. Through retraining, beginning from learning how to play a single note freely, I learned how to stay far away from trouble. This year I am going to New York to train to become a teacher in the Taubman Approach and beginning a Doctor of Musical Arts at the Queensland Conservatorium investigating this process of study and how it impacts on my teaching over the next couple of years.
For more info have a look at http://www.ikonmusic.com.au/Help_for_Thereses_Taubman_project.html