How Ergonomic Principles Can Improve Your Playing

Since the 1950s, the word “ergonomics” has been used to describe the study of humans and their interaction with objects in their lives. This field has focused on improving the design, manufacture, and arrangement of objects within a given (work) environment to make these locations and the actions performed in them safe, healthy, and comfortable. Instrumentalists can benefit greatly from modern ergonomics, as musical performance requires a very high amount of repetitive motions that can lead to injury.

While ergonomics and playing posture are not the same thing, they are very closely related since the environmental factors studied by ergonomics can directly influence a musician’s posture and ability to play with proper technique. However, no amount of ergonomic fine-tuning can overcome bad technique or poor posture. Playing an instrument with safety and health in mind requires consistently using proper posture during daily activities, playing with correct technique, and following appropriate ergonomic practices while playing.

It is critical for musicians to insist upon using proper playing posture and ergonomics. Musicians often pride themselves on being able to adapt to nearly anything, but this adaptability cannot come at the cost of using proper posture, technique, and positioning.

Conduct an Ergonomic Assessment of Your Practices and Performances

Work with your teacher to determine the best playing posture for you and your instrument. Once you have found your ideal playing posture, identify all of the spatial relationships you need to address in your ergonomic assessment of your playing environments.

To start an ergonomic assessment, examine the relationships between you and:

• Your chair
• Your music and music stand
• Your stand-partner and others playing near you
• The conductor/ensemble leader
• The wall, ceiling, or other external immovable object (especially common in the pit)

Make certain these external objects are not causing a change in your ideal playing posture.  Identifying your best playing posture does not do you any good if you hardly ever use this posture while playing your instrument.

You must use ergonomic principles and correct playing posture every time you play your instrument – even while practicing on your own. Your sound quality will improve, you will make larger and longer-lasting improvements during each practice session, and you will feel better both while playing and in daily life.