Nutrition for Musicians

Maybe it’s just me, but this moment when the theatre is so quiet you can hear a pin drop and for a split of a second you can hear the artist inhaling powerfully and quickly before playing his/her first note after a rest is just one of the sexiest splits of seconds in a concert and in life generally.

Not only is it sexy but also … 

Proper deep breathing for musicians, dancers and vocalists is extremely important for their performance just as it is for athletes. 

Without getting into the chemistry of why, the end result of breathing properly includes: 

1. Being less prone to injuries. Proper breathing requires and develop a well aligned posture and helps deliver more oxygen to muscles, joints and organs needed to play. 

2. More focus and coordination. The brain function is affected by the amount of oxygen it receives (that is why we faint in low oxygen areas and why smokers are more prone to old age brain disease). The brain needs more energy when performing multiple complex movement and memory, hence more oxygen.

3. Less stress. Deep breathing lowers stress hormones levels (cortisol and adrenaline) and sends a signal to the brain that there is no danger to run away from giving space to the brain to relax and focus on art rather than fear. 

Almost everybody nowadays is breathing improperly. Shallow breathing is epidemic and it does exactly the opposite of deep breathing to the body. Vocalists are more affected and concerned by proper breathing but they are not the only ones who need breathe support. All of us do actually!

Reversing the habit of shallow breathing is hard and needs work but it is crucial for health and performance. 

There are 36 muscles responsible for breathing – I love this video by Madeleine Harvey , I find it useful for anybody not just vocalists.

If you find that vocalists support is too much for you, here are some other suggestions:

1. Watch and listen to yourself breathing when practicing – notice if your breath and you will know instinctively if it is deep or shallow 

2. Yoga is a great work out to regulate breath (make sure your instructor is serious about the breathing part) and align your posture especially if you play an instrument like violin, flute, bassoon or any other instrument that can cause postural defects

3. Do not stress out about your breathing in the middle of a gig. At the beginning, be aware of your breath during practice and free time and as you start to develop the habit of proper deep breathing your body will do it automatically all the time including during gigs.

4. It might sound weird but the gluteus maximus muscle (gluts/ butt in English) has an effect on your breathing (maybe that is why playing standing up feels better). Also your abs and intercostal muscles play a huge role. Working out and stretching those muscles will certainly help.

5. Give special attention to breathing techniques during high heart rate (crucial for breathing during gigs)

6. Inhale steam water with essential oils like peppermint and eucalyptus 

7. Breath from your nose 

Read other posts related to musicians health here.