Musicians Should Take Care Of Their Bodies The Way Athletes Do

Professional musicians face physical demands comparable to elite athletes, yet the music world often overlooks the significance of physical care and conditioning necessary for career longevity. Violinist Laura Frautschi, a prominent performer and concertmaster, advocates for musicians to adopt rigorous physical maintenance routines similar to those ingrained in athletic training.

Frautschi’s extensive career spans solo performances, chamber music, and leadership roles in esteemed ensembles, including the Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center and the internationally touring Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Her insights stem from personal experience with the physical toll that intense practice and performance schedules impose.

Early in her career, Frautschi confronted the realities of physical strain when repetitive and prolonged violin playing led to pain and neurological symptoms. This prompted her to consult a physical therapist, who illuminated the physiological consequences of sustained tension and repetitive motion without proper preparation and rest. Such awareness is typically embedded in athletes’ training but less common among musicians, who often only learn these lessons after injury.

The physical therapist’s guidance introduced Frautschi to crucial preventive measures, including dynamic stretching, warming up, and scheduled rest. These practices helped her recover and continue performing, establishing a routine she has maintained to safeguard against recurring issues.

Over the years, Frautschi’s regimen evolved to include cross-training activities such as yoga, weight training, and running, which help strengthen muscles vulnerable to repetitive strain and support overall physical resilience. She emphasizes the importance of limiting focused practice sessions to avoid overexertion and incorporating daily physical activity to meet the cumulative demands of performance, travel, and aging.

In addition to physical conditioning, Frautschi addresses the psychological pressures musicians face, particularly performance-related anxiety. Drawing parallels to athletes’ experience with pre-competition nerves, she adopts preparation strategies that simulate performance conditions, including self-recording and mock audiences. This approach helps transform adrenaline into a constructive force, allowing her to maintain focus and enjoy the act of performing.

Frautschi’s advocacy extends beyond individual practice to a broader cultural shift within the classical music community. She participated in a panel discussion at Lincoln Center titled "Artists As Athletes," where industry professionals explored sustainable career practices and the critical role of physical and mental health.

Her perspective underscores a gap in musicians’ education regarding bodily care and injury prevention, contrasting sharply with sports where such knowledge is foundational from a young age. By sharing her journey and strategies, Frautschi encourages musicians to prioritize their physical wellbeing proactively rather than reactively.

While specific methods and experiences vary among performers, Frautschi’s narrative highlights an urgent need to reframe musicianship as a profession demanding athletic discipline and holistic health awareness. Adopting these principles could foster longer, more resilient careers and enhance artistic output.

Details on how widespread these practices are across the classical music world remain limited, but growing conversations suggest increased recognition of the issue. Frautschi’s example offers a model for integrating physical training and injury prevention into musicians’ routines, paralleling the standards established in athletic disciplines.