SPECIAL ISSUE: A Student's Story of Self-Directed Work with Biofeedback for Optimal Performance

Abstract

For musicians, performance problems often go unnoticed and ignored. Many arise from overpractice and incorrect body alignment, especially in the arm, hand, and fingers. Problems manifest physiologically as muscle tension, bracing or constriction, and anxiety. Retraining with surface electromyography biofeedback and video helps identify elevations in muscle tension and incorrect body alignment. Work with biofeedback for stress reduction and neuromuscular reeducation in retraining increases self-awareness and provides feedback on practice of techniques to achieve proper tension and release of muscles, manage stress, and achieve optimal performance.