Customer Reviews

Playing (less) Hurt | An Injury Prevention Guide for Musicians

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I am a professional pianist, composer and educator of young musicians. This is the first publication I've seen which truly addresses the physical journey to becoming a healthy performer. It is an essential guide for every musician, full of helpful tips and designed to encourage a life free of injury or pain due to excessive practice and/or performance. Every musician is familiar with the road to learning theory and musical interpretation, but few of us were taught the dangers of injury associated with repetitive movement and awkward positioning. This book looks at the physicality of playing an instrument including risk factors, stress points, danger signals and much more. It also provides great stretching and strengthening exercises designed to specifically counteract stressful movement.

Though this book is written by a professional cellist, it has practical application beyond string players. Someone who sits at a computer all day is not unlike the musician who continuously works a musical passage. Physical stress is an issue whenever the body sits for long periods of time and repeats the same motions. Many jobs in our modern world hold a parallel. The book reminds us that natural movement must be a conscious decision.

I am thankful to Janet Horvath for writing this. It will undoubtedly prevent many injuries in the future. As an educator, I particularly recommend this as a valuable source to those who teach young musicians.

Oh how I wish I had received this book long ago, before I sustained significant nerve and rotator cuff injuries! This is an absolute must-have for any serious musician, and as far as I am concerned, for any music teacher. These concepts should be taught from the very beginning!

Great, clear layout. Super 10-step lists (such as 10 warm-up stretches, 10 on-stage stretches, etc. etc.). FANTASTIC!

This book is WONDERFUL. I received it as a graduation present and I wish I had obtained a copy at the beginning of my studies! The layout is clear and easy to follow with very detailed and specific information that applies to a broad range of instrumentalists. I especially appreciate the resource lists for ordering helpful items as well as the 10 warm-up stretches, 10 shower stretches etc (I've already ordered the wall poster versions of these for my practice space)


THANK YOU, JANET! :)

I am a 50 year old trombonist who recently returned to regular band playing. i have a torn rotator cuff in my right shoulder, so you can imagine that working the slide can be painful. your book has been a god send. I even took it to band camp in Chatauqua New York with the New Horizons band groups. We played for 5-6 hours and I was able to keep up thanks to my stretches.
I am organizing an educational day of my own for my group and I would like your permission to use some of your information and if possible give one of your books as a door prize. as well I would like to share with my collegues where they can get them and contact you. could you let me know if this is ok?
we are in Newmarket Ontario Canada, which is about an hour north of Toronto.
thank you again

This is a FANTASTIC book. It is the best book on the market for injury prevention in musicians. I require all my students to read it. It is written to make the information accessible and is a great resource.

Any music library - especially those catering to professional musicians- must have Playing (Less) Hurt. It's an invaluable guide to special tools and techniques to avoid and alleviate injury and is key to musicians, coaches and medical professionals alike. Chapters discuss the physiology and psyche of playing music, discussing common injuries, handling hectic rehearsal schedules and challenging pieces, and physical strains that limit and injury players. Case histories accompany specific tips on adjustments than can prevent damage. From adjusting positions to modifying instruments themselves, this is packed with rare specifics key to promoting player health and longevity.-by
Midwest Book Review [...] august 2011

This book would be an outstanding addition to any musician's library and should be required reading for every collegiate music major. The information contained in this text can ensure that musician's, amateur or professional, can continue to make music throughout their lifetime.