I am an Athlete; I sing!

posted by Ruth Butterfield-Winter

Are musicians in good physical shape?

I just came back from a 20 minute run; I need to break in my brand new running shoes. As I was running, I was thinking about this: If I am in good shape physically, will I be a better musician? The only answer I could come up with was, "Of Course!" But, why is this the case?

I remember studying piano at the Curtis Institute of Music, in Philadelphia. I was in a practice room one morning working on a difficult piece. Time flew by, partly because I was enjoying the process, but also because I needed to "woodshed" certain passages for technique. I stopped to take a break and realized that I was sweating! I was sitting down the whole time! How could I be sweating? I realized at that moment that I am an athlete!

I recently started singing, outside my shower, on a regular basis. Many times, the music requires that I sing a sustained pitch for a long time. I have noticed a big difference in my ability to produce long (in duration) tones when singing since I've started running. My body is stronger and my lung capacity is more controlled, and I don't get as exhausted after a rehearsal, as I did before I started running. I am learning to use the muscles available for singing correctly. Therefore, for me, as a singer, I am an athlete.

Musicians are athletes!

Granted, there are many musicians who don't look like marathon runners (not many members of the general population do)! However, in order to play, or sing, through 5 - 45 minutes of music without a break, you need stamina. Have you ever looked at a bass violinist's hands, or watched the abdomen of a flute player. Next time you get a chance, look at the embrasure of a brass player. Musicians are sexy defined athletes. We should have a magazine called "Musician's Illustrated" and feature the latest lips on the cover.