The musician's physiological gestures and posture

Type of training

Intra-company

Support

Group training

For whom?

Orchestra musicians

Prerequisites

Participants must be orchestral musicians. They take part in the workshop with their instrument

Teaching team

Xavier Mallamaci

Pedagogical objectives

Raising awareness and learning good gestural and postural practices enable a
physiological approach to instrumental work and the prevention of physical disorders in the musician
thanks to:
- Refocusing on the musician's body
- Improving posture for greater playing comfort
- Optimal use of the instrument and the musician's environment
- Acquiring the ability to assess, target and react appropriately to tension or
any suspected pain.

Educational program

Day 1: The physiological gesture, the body's overall balance

- Introduction, main training principles (30min)
- Anatomical basics, popularization of musculo-articular physiology (30min) :
o Definitions of the various anatomical structures involved in movement (muscle, tendon,
ligament, aponeurosis)
o Muscle physiology (dynamic muscles/postural muscles, mechanism of
muscular contraction, physiology of muscular effort)
o Joint physiology (role of ligament, tendon, basic notions of
joint mechanisms)
- Physiology of posture and standing movements (2h):
o Analysis of spinal column statics, influence of lower limb and pelvic
use on standing
o Analysis of gestures, from cervical spine to upper limbs
o Practice: Awareness and installation of overall posture and gestures in
standing position

- Physiology of sitting posture and movements (1h30):
o Analysis of spinal statics, influence of the use of the lower
limbs and pelvis on sitting posture
o Practice: Awareness and installation of global posture and movements in
sitting
- Analysis of clinical cases (photos/videos/volunteer from the audience) (30 min to 1h30), spread throughout
the course.

Day 2: Physiological gesture, impact of breathing and use of the
upper limb

- Mechanisms of breathing and its influence on posture (1h30)
o Practical: Awareness and installation of the physiological mechanics of breathing
- Physiology and mechanics of the shoulder (2h)
o Practical: Application of the physiological gestures of the shoulder
- Physiology and mechanics of the hand (1h30)
o Practical: Application of physiological hand movements
- Musculoskeletal disorders of the musician (1h)
o Presentation and definition of the main musculoskeletal disorders of the musician
o Symptomatology and mechanisms of onset of these disorders
o Preventive and therapeutic solutions
- Analysis of clinical cases (photos/videos/volunteers from the audience) (1h if 7h day), spread
throughout the day.

Methods used

- Dynamic lectures, interactive exercises, case studies, hands-on situations on the instrument

Evaluation methods

La formation fait l’objet d’une évaluation par les stagiaires à l’issue de la journée (évaluation à chaud)
et un mois après celle-ci (évaluation à froid). La validation par le formateur des acquis de la formation se fait à l’issue de la journée à travers un quizz en ligne. Une attestation de suivi de formation est remise à chaque participant à l’issue du module Elle précise les dates de réalisation, le volume
horaire et les compétences visées.

Accessibility

Le référent handicap de l’AFO est disponible pour accueillir les personnes en situation de handicap.
Au moment de l’inscription, le référent handicap prend contact avec qui de droit, si besoin, afin
d’échanger sur les solutions pour permettre à toute personne de suivre la formation sans difficulté.

Florent Demarthe - fdemarthe@france-
orchestres.com