Johnson J. - What Every Violinist Needs to Know About the Body

What Every Violinist Needs to Know about the Body is a comprehensive volume on using Body Mapping technique to help violinists prevent injury and develop the physical freedom and sensitivity needed for technical mastery. Beginning with the fundamental concepts of how and why musicians move, this book presents a detailed explanation of Body Mapping accompanied by numerous illustrations. Especially helpful is Chapter 8, devoted to common mis-mappings and myths in violin playing. This chapter exposes more than 50 misconceptions and provides helpful remedies.   I find What Every Violinist Needs to Know about the Body to be a very interesting, provocative, and helpful application to violin playing. —Donald Weilerstein     New England Conservatory and the Juilliard School     Founding first violinist, The Cleveland Quartet What Every Violinist Needs to Know about the Body by Jennifer Johnson is an excellent and informative book on Body Mapping: understanding bone structures and the way these bones work with each other and with attached muscles. Putting this knowledge into action results in a balanced distribution of muscle work throughout the body and promotes the freedom necessary to achieve pain-free and successful performance. The book also discusses myths that prevent efficient mobility. It contains a wealth of information for teacher and student, professional and amateur alike. A worthwhile addition to your bookshelf! —Marilyn McDonald, Professor of Violin at Oberlin Conservatory This is seriously one of the best interviews I’ve ever heard on here — unbelievably informative, conceptual where needed and practical where needed. Wish I’d known more about this stuff when I was a kid taking piano lessons. I internalized so much stress and tension on that instrument. —Janis, on Jennifer Johnson's interview with The Bulletproof Musician As a former licensed massage therapist, I’m fascinated by the physicality of string-playing. I don’t struggle with pain in my viola practice, but there is definitely tension that adversely affects my playing. I would love to learn more about body-mapping. Definitely ordering Jennifer Johnson’s book. —Karen Collins, on Jennifer Johnson's interview with The Bulletproof Musician One of the most needed aspects of our pedagogy. Thanks for so many illuminating and practical ideas. —Susan Di Biase, on Jennifer Johnson's interview with The Bulletproof Musician