Stay healthy: Practice & Play at your best - advice from BAPAM

British Association for Performing Arts Medicine
BAPAM is a medical charity delivers health support to musicians, performing arts professionals and students. Free specialist advice to help people stay healthy, beat work-related health problems and enjoy sustainable and successful careers! Healthy Practice (and performance) is supported with advice from BAPAM. It is a service that wouldn't be possible without major funding from  Help Musicians UK and the Musicians Union.

With a growing need for specialist health support in the performing arts, BAPAM's free, service helps over 3,000 people annually to solve problems and build sustainable creative careers.

Free assessments are conducted by highly qualified and accredited health professionals experienced in treating performers.

Please consider donating to BAPAM to support their vital work.

So, as a musician what advice should you be thinking of to stay healthy to Practice & Play your instrument at your best

Well, whatever your instrument, and whatever style of music you play, the advice from the experts at BAPAM promotes a holistic approach to practising and performing.

Here are just some of a chosen few to get you going.

Physical warm-up

According to our experts, allowing yourself time for physical warm-up is a must before each episode of playing, as well as a period to cool down afterwards as well.

Sound technique

They say it's also important to ensure that your technique is as sound as possible, allowing of course for your level of experience and physical proportions. And whatever your level of playing you should seek regular professional advice, because bad technique may become a habit and lead to further problems.

Comfortable levels as possible when playing your instrument, checking your own posture when playing (a full-length mirror may be helpful - or even better, videoing yourself on a phone). You could also look into making adaptations to aid your playing further using chin rests, shoulder pads, supports and straps. Expert advice from a teacher may help.

Take a break

It's also advisable to plan your practice sessions to allow frequent breaks in playing. It is important to stop before you reach any discomfort, things like kitchen timers, mobile phones or digital watches can be pre-set to remind you to break from playing.

Stay fit!

A mixture of regular exercise (e.g. a sport of your choice, such as swimming), and relaxation will help you maximise your potential and reduce the risk of playing-related injury. Performing is stressful and tension can lead to pain and stiffness. There are many forms of exercise and relaxation techniques. Find ones that you enjoy - they're more likely to help!

Put your instrument away ♭

Oh, and the final piece of advice from the experts here is also to get a life! There is a world outside music. They recommend finding a hobby or interest totally unrelated to your music making and spending time on that as well.

If you are in pain or have performance-related health concerns, contact BAPAM to arrange a free assessment with one of our expert clinicians. Remember that the sooner you address any problems, the less damage you will do in the long term.

Check out www.bapam.org.uk for lots more information, including our free factsheets, news and events.

We do hope that you have found the information provided on this page useful but please do not hesitate to contact us if there is anything that we can help you with.

If it would be easier for you to speak to a member of our team please do call either Barbican or Kensington. We would be happy to welcome you to one of our shops, either Barbican or Kensington to browse our stock.

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Photocopies & downloads

Musicians should not perform from unauthorised photocopies (or any other types of unauthorised copies) or illegal downloads of copyright music. In the U.K., certain circumstances determine the usage of copies. The MPA's Code of Fair Practice offers guidance. Musicians must apply to the copyright holder and secure permission before making copies, retaining evidence of the permission sought. Musicians are required to abide by U.K. copyright law.