Journal article
Oboe educators’ perspectives on playing-related injury, Part II: Barriers, solutions, and teaching practices
International journal of music education
02/27/2025
DOI: 10.1177/02557614251320689
Abstract
Music educators are uniquely positioned to promote student playing-related health, yet little is known about their current approach to student wellness. This article aimed to identify barriers and solutions to musician health promotion and to document studio music instructors’ approaches to wellness topics with students. Using a qualitative description approach, in-depth interviews with 10 oboe teachers (7 male, 3 female, 5 with personal history of injury) documented perceptions and practices surrounding playing-related injury (PRI). Participants identified several barriers to help-seeking behaviors among musicians, including shame, stigma, discrimination, heavy course loads, and abuse. Proposed solutions for these barriers included self-care, accessible resources, vulnerability, empathy, positive framing, and institutional support for wellness initiatives. Participants’ teaching practices emphasized adaptable lesson plans, cultivating independence and efficiency, and positive framing. With injured students, they described referring to medical professionals, encouraging physical activity, emphasizing posture and alignment, recommending instrument modifications and supports, making sure that reeds and instrument are functioning well, and incorporating rest into lesson and practice plans. Participants demonstrated a nuanced understanding of how best to approach musicians’ wellness topics with students (e.g. positive framing, vulnerability, empathy, emphasizing efficiency). Educational wellness initiatives could achieve greater efficacy through direct consultation and collaboration with teachers.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Oboe educators’ perspectives on playing-related injury, Part II: Barriers, solutions, and teaching practices
- Creators
- Heather M. Macdonald - University of TorontoChristine Guptill - University of Ottawa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- International journal of music education
- DOI
- 10.1177/02557614251320689
- ISSN
- 0255-7614
- eISSN
- 1744-795X
- Publisher
- Sage
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 02/27/2025
- Academic Unit
- School of Music
- Record Identifier
- 9985218395002771
Metrics
1 Record Views