One of the things I hear a lot from musical colleagues is that playing the violin is an unnatural activity.
And to a small degree, I agree with that statement. Playing a musical instrument isn’t what humans are evolutionarily designed to do… but neither are a lot of activities that we do in everyday life!
Instead, I like to tell students that we’re trying to find what is natural within our violin technique.
And that means we’re talking about biomechanics.
Everything we do with our instruments can be described–or broken down–into a series of movements.
We can then look at each movement from an anatomical perspective (which bones, muscles, and connective tissues are involved) and a biomechanical perspective (how the bones, muscles, and tissues are designed to function together at a specific joint or body part).
In the Franklin Method, we refer to this as bone rhythms–the ways the bones move three-dimensionally in space–and the muscles that drive the bone rhythms.
If a student understands how movement at a joint might ideally function, we can see if they actually feel that movement, or if their body is doing something else. And if that’s the case, we can use somatic tools to release tension and teach the body different ways to move.
The more we understand our anatomy and physiology and how we can change the way we move, the more we can make our playing biomechanically efficient. Or, if you will–natural.
This is why somatic methods like the Franklin Method are so powerful and necessary in our pedagogical methods.
If you want to learn more about bone rhythms and how to incorporate them into your playing and teaching, check out my upcoming Franklin Method workshop on August 24th at 10 AM PT/1 PM ET!
We’ll embody the anatomy and biomechanics of the shoulder girdle, explore how to find more ease in the shoulder while playing, and learn new techniques to relieve tight and sore muscles.
Registration is $30 and you’ll get access to handouts and the video replay for 30 days.
Click below to learn more and sign up!
If this is the first time we’re meeting virtually, hello! My name is Erika, and I’m a violinist, teacher, and certified Franklin Method Educator. My mission is to rethink traditional teaching approaches to help musicians play with confidence and ease. If this resonates with you, here’s how you can connect with me:
Subscribe to the At the Balance Point newsletter! You’ll get weekly emails on all things musicians’ wellness, Franklin Method, and research-based holistic pedagogy tips. Plus, you’ll be the first to hear about upcoming events and new resources. Click here to subscribe!
Take a Franklin Method class with me. Learn to release tension, play with more ease, and practice injury prevention techniques. The Franklin Method uses mind-body tools and anatomical embodiments to help you improve the way you move in daily life. If you’ve never experienced the Franklin Method before, an online or in-person workshop is a great introduction! Institutional presentations are also available for arts organizations and schools.
Try a Franklin Method private session. Are you an instrumental musician struggling with pain, stiffness, or sore muscles from playing? In a Franklin Method private session, we analyze your movement while playing and explore different ways to move with more freedom. You’ll learn exercises to improve body awareness, release excess tension, and retrain movement patterns
Explore my Resource Pages! I’m sharing some of my favorite pedagogy and musicians’ wellness resources for musicians. Learn more about different somatic movement methods, wellness platforms and practitioners, and helpful books. You can also check out new resources based on my doctoral research into integrating pedagogical approaches from the world of sports into music-teaching.
Read the At the Balance Point blog. Check out articles on holistic and research-based pedagogy approaches and musicians’ wellness.
Take a violin lesson with me! I teach lessons in-person in the greater Seattle area and online via Zoom.
Want to contact me directly? Email me at erika@erikaburnsviolin.com or DM me on Instagram.