6,000+ BOOKS SOLD!

2006 Update of the Revised Edition is Released

Acclaimed Cellist/Author/Speaker Janet Horvath celebrates the milestone of 6,000 books sold as she releases the 2006 edition of her revised self-published book.

(Minneapolis) – Janet Horvath's Playing (less) Hurt - An Injury Prevention Guide For Musicians, newly released in 2006 updated version, is now officially topping sales of 6,000 books!

Orchestral Musicians face many challenges every time they pick up their instruments: awkward postures, intense schedules, demanding repertoire, performance anxiety, endless repetition as well as the required athleticism, precision, co-ordination and extraordinary skill. Additionally, musicians seem willing to self-destruct and do anything to make it all happen! We take into stride the demands of our profession only to be thwarted by pain!

“How can we express ourselves and recreate the great masterworks of music with ease and expressiveness, and yet avoid injury in the process?” This book is intended as a guide and reference for all concerned with pain on any instrument: professional and amateur musicians, teachers and students, and doctors and therapists,” said Horvath, the Minnesota Orchestra’s Associate Principal Cellist for more than two decades.

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In the United States today there are nearly 63 million instrumental musicians, both professional and amateur, pursuing their passion for making music (according to a recent Gallup survey). Many of the challenges musicians face are clearly acknowledged, including a highly competitive environment, performance anxiety and the isolation of solitary practice, but only recently have they begun to grapple with the biggest challenge of all: the very real obstacle of physical pain.

In her book, Playing (less) Hurt - An Injury Prevention Guide for Musicians, Horvath addresses subjects that are pertinent to all musicians on any instrument. Divided into four sections, the book’s first chapters address how injuries can arise in the course of musical life. The second section goes into considerable medical depth to explain various injuries common to instrumental musicians, the third section of the book offers a wide-ranging compendium of preventative and restorative approaches, and finally the fourth section contains a comprehensive multi-page resource guide.

“This is a practical, useable guide with a wide range of hints,” Janet Horvath explained. “Teachers will learn how to select an instrument sized properly for their students and to guard against injuries among them. Performers can take the injury susceptibility quiz, and can use the 90 stretches and onstage tricks for injury prevention. There are practice pointers, rehabilitation strategies, and photos of the latest in instrument modifications, props and splints.”

Horvath has compiled an extensive resource list that includes books, videos, articles, web sites, as well as a listing of doctors and performing arts medical facilities. The book’s spiral binding allows the book to lay flat for easy placement on the floor or on music stands. (The book is also available in a standard spine binding)

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As a professional symphony orchestra musician, a soloist and chamber musician, Horvath became a trail-blazer in the music world by openly speaking and writing about the physical stresses she and many other musicians have experienced. She has contributed importantly to improvements in working conditions and in awareness for musicians’ work-related ailments and their prevention. She has written numerous articles which have appeared in National and International publications including the Strad Magazine, Strings, and The Suzuki Association of Americas Journal and she has been the subject of numerous interviews. One such interview appeared  in Symphony Magazine in the March/April issue of 2003.  An Associated Press article appeared in 2003.

Horvath, the associate principal cello of the Minnesota Orchestra, is in great demand to present her injury prevention seminars. In May of  2003 the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra  invited Ms. Horvath  to present “Playing (less) Hurt” seminars for its musicians. These sessions marked the first time a major American orchestra hosted an injury prevention and rehabilitation seminar as a mandatory administrative service for musicians using rehearsal time for the presentation.

 Subsequently, she has presented seminars at several National Conferences, colleges, conservatories and universities and other Symphony orchestras including the New World Symphony, Miami FL., the University of Miami, the San Francisco Symphony, the Boston Symphony, and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.

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”I couldn't be more thrilled. The field of Performing Arts Medicine is growing fast and the new information in the revised edition keeps current with the latest developments. Based on the many letters of thanks I have received from musicians, teachers, students, parents and medical professionals, it is extremely gratifying to see that the book is filling an important need Playing (less) Hurt has spurred more interest in the field of performing arts medicine and professional orchestras and teachers are becoming more proactive in working to prevent injuries. Conferences and seminars on injury prevention are now springing up all over the country.”

 Consisting of 285 pages, the book retails for $23.95 U.S. It can be ordered online at www.playinglesshurt.com. The book is also available nationally at a host of music stores in the U.S. and Canada, such as Shar Products Company. (WHOLESALE AND BULK DISCOUNTS ARE AVAILABLE, contact janet@playinglesshurt.com)

Also available on this website are:

 • “Playing (less) Hurt”™ Set of 6 Cards (8.5" x 11"), which include all 90 stretches that are featured in the book, and the 10 Do's and 10 Don'ts, the 10 Onstage Tricks and the 10 Danger Signals. They are sized for easy portability and easy display in studios, lockers or instrument cases. The cards retail for $9.00 U.S.

Playing (less) Hurt - An Injury Prevention Guide for Musicians is available for purchase online .

For more information, contact Janet Horvath at: janet@playinglesshurt.com .

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Find Janet at the Minnesota Orchestra! Visit the "Upcoming Appearances" page or the "Minnesota Orchestra's" website for more info...

Janet has been invited to the League of American Orchestras NPAC conference in June! More information is coming soon. To learn more visit LOAO's Website. Also visit the National Performing Arts Convention Webpage.

Janet Horvath’s white paper on hearing loss...

Let’s talk about something scary, something musicians are even more reticent to talk about than overuse injury. Hearing loss is on the rise and is a danger to all of us. read more...

Janet Horvath's column in Polyphonic.org

Janet Horvath now has a regular column on Polyphonic.org discussing health issues relevant to professional musicians. These articles are of interest to all musicians, giving excellent advice on strategies to deal with existing injuries as well as how to avoid injury in the first place.

Ms Horvath's recent columns at Polyphonic.org have focused on:

• Ice or Heat for Injuries?
• Injuries associated with Joint Laxity
• Injuries associated with Overuse
  

Strings Magazine

Janet Horvath's article on Posture Pointers appears in the September 2006 issue of Strings Magazine.

This article is an excellent overview of the all important issue of posture and how it relates to tension and injury. Ms Horvath discusses "Risky Postures", "Tension" and it's relationship to posture, "Natural" postures, as well as other points related to appropriate posture for performing musicians.

Internet Cello Society

When you hear the words "Mahler's Fifth," you probably think "great music." Janet Horvath wants you to think "phenomenal athleticism."
Horvath, associate principal cellist of the Minnesota Orchestra and a pioneer in performing arts medicine, has been on a mission to get musicians, instructors and management to realize that playing any instrument is physically demanding. (Interview by Chrys Wu)

Stressing Prevention: Janet Horvath advocates for injured musicians

Interview by Melinda Whiting, Symphony Magazine

The March/April edition of the American Symphony Orchestra League’s Symphony Magazine features an extensive interview with Janet Horvath. (CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PDF) or log on to: Symphony.

Pump Down the Volume

"If you're an orchestral musician you could be at serious risk of long-term hearing damage. Janet Horvath looks at some simple and effective solutions." The Strad (December 2004)