Date:Friday, September 20th, 2024
Time: 10:15 AM-12:15 PM
Location: Showcase Pianos (1128 W Broadway #1, Vancouver)
Workshop Topic: What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body: Practical Tips from a Pianist, Physiotherapist & Former Motor Skill Learning Researcher
Presenter: Brennan Chan, registered physiotherapist (also a member of our branch!)

In this workshop, Brennan draws from his unique experience as a pianist, physiotherapist and former motor skill learning researcher to share practical tips on what you can do as a teacher and musician to help your students prevent injuries, relieve muscle tension and play with more ease.

As a physiotherapist, Brennan has undertaken extensive training on treating the upper body and rib cage and will cover a range of topics including the following:

  • The anatomy of key muscles and bones involved in playing and posture.
  • The function of the rib cage and it’s important role in playing.
  • What “good posture” really looks like: what cues you should and shouldn’t be using when discussing posture.
  • How you can use self-release tools to reduce muscle tightness and alleviate neck & upper back tension when playing.
  • Common mistakes that can lead to injury, plus a brief overview on common musician injuries.
  • Essential strength exercises for musicians and which muscle groups musicians need to be strengthening.
  • What does a physiotherapist do and how can they can support musicians.

This will be a highly practical session filled with live demonstrations, debunking common posture misconceptions, and actionable takeaways you can start using right away. Each participant will receive a free massage ball, which you’ll learn to use during the session. There will also be a Q&A period at the end, so please come with questions!

RSVP Information: