SKU: GI.G-10542
Free Your Shoulder
Region through Body
Mapping. Composed by
Jennifer Johnson. Body
Mapping. Music Education.
184 pages. GIA
Publications #10542.
Published by GIA
Publications
(GI.G-10542).
ISBN
9781622775927.
Pain
in the shoulder region is
one of the most common
problems afflicting
instrumentalists,
vocalists, and conductors
alike. Musician, Heal
Thyself! uses the
principles of Body
Mapping to free musicians
of their shoulder pain,
injury, and limitations,
leading to more
expressive and healthy
music making. While
keenly aware of the
importance of whole-body
balance and context,
author Jennifer Johnson
presents the four most
common patterns that
cause shoulder pain and
fatigue, along with
guidance on how to
“remap†the
body for healthier whole
arm movements in playing,
singing, and conducting.
Also included in the book
are anatomical images for
remapping and many
photographs of
world-class musicians who
exhibit exemplary arm
movement and a free
shoulder region in their
performances. Especially
helpful are the
book’s movement
exploration activities,
online video links, and
the appendix, which
outlines the functions of
the shoulder region
muscles in
layman’s
vocabulary. A healthier
approach to music making
begins today with the
ideas and insights
presented in Musician,
Heal Thyself! Jennifer
Johnson is a licensed and
internationally
sought-after lecturer on
Body Mapping, teaching
musicians how to move
according to the design
of their bodies to
address and prevent
playing injuries. She
maintains an active
private violin studio,
performs regularly, and
is the author of three
books on Body Mapping.
 Musician, Heal
Thyself! is an invaluable
resource for performers
and teachers at every
level. The material is so
clearly elucidated and
its concepts immediately
useful and empowering. I
love this book!
—Carol Rodland,
violist   Viola
and Chamber Music
Faculty, The Juilliard
School After doing
several of the very clear
and thorough explorations
in Jennifer
Johnson’s new
book, my arms had the
freedom and ease of a
child’s, and I
felt a corresponding ease
in my trumpet posture and
sound. Emotional
re-mapping is also part
of any physical
improvement, and Ms.
Johnson describes that
aspect of the process
clearly and
compassionately. I
recommend this book for
all musicians seeking to
express their music with
efficiency, freedom, and
beauty. —Jeffrey
Reynolds, trumpet Â
 Associate Professor,
Faculty of Music,
University of Toronto For
years, I stubbornly
ignored my body’s
messages because I was
afraid to find out I was
'doing everything wrong.'
But Jennifer’s
wealth of experience
working with musicians
and her compassionate
approach in Musician,
Heal Thyself! have made
playing more fun and less
painful. Why did I wait
so long? —Nathan
Cole, First Assistant
Concertmaster, Los
Angeles Philharmonic Â
 Founder of
natesviolin.com.