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Play Life Loudly
Physical therapist and coach Abby Halpin talks all things movement, health, and fitness for musicians and performers. Abby is the owner of Forte Performance & Physical Therapy, where she works with musicians to guide them in feeling and performing their best! You can find more info about Abby at www.forteperformancept.com.
Episodes
19 episodes
Guest Episode: Interview with Jared Borkowski, Sound Guitar Lessons
This is a special episode! Jared Borkowski invited me to speak with him on his YouTube Channel, Sound Guitar Lessons, about gui...
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1:47:40
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Episode 18: How to Write your Workout Schedule
The hardest part of anything is getting started. Let's discuss how to make a doable and forgiving plan to get started.7 Steps to Starting Your Workouts:1. Reflect on what has worked or not worked before this2. Set your duration:...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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8:09
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Piano teachers: Do you hurt while you teach?
Abby talks about simple strategies piano teachers can use to reduce discomfort while teaching students from an article she wrote for the Vermont Music Teach...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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7:20
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Episode 16: Perfect Piano Posture Problems
Abby talks about the concept of "good posture" for pianists, a review of the workshop she led for the Vermont Music Teachers Association last weekend.Major takeaways:There is no such thing as good or bad posture. Instilling ...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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12:21
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Episode 15: Rest and Recovery
Being strategic and intentional about rest and recovery is imperative for a long, happy life of music-making.Topics Covered:1. The reasons singers and instrumentalists need rest.2. Active vs passive recovery.
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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14:47
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Episode 14: Meaningful Tasks and Words
Today's topic is about how important it is for musicians to work with coaches and providers who will actively seek out activities and conversations that are specific to their goals and activities.Take-aways:1. Abby has lunch with he...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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7:10
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Episode 13: NATS Workshop Review
Abby Halpin reviews the Disobedient Singing discussion she and Liz Frazer (aka the Salty Voice Teacher) led at the NATS (National Association of Teachers of Sin...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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13:39
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Episode 12: General Updates
Just wanted to update you on what's coming up. Abby is attending the 57th National Conference for the National Association of Teachers and Singing (NATS). She and her dear friend and colleague Liz Frazer, aka The Salty Voice Teacher, will be le...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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6:09
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Episode 11: How to train exhalation
Abby talks about what to do if you're stuck in a state of over-inflation. She talks about the impacts of breathing patterns on musicianship and singing and how to train your exhalation to change patterns.Key Points:1. Quick review o...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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7:43
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Episode 10: Breath stacking and hyperinflation
Stacking your breaths and using postural habits that put you in a state of hyperinflation makes breathing, singing, and playing harder.If you have these patterns you might feel some of the following:1. You can’t last as long through...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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10:42
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Episode 9: Moldy Flare-ups and Vulnerability Hangovers
Abby talks about her own experience with chronic pain and flare-ups due to mold exposure.Main points:1. You deserve care from someone who listens, does not interrupt, believes you, and makes a plan with you. 2. Our brains s...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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14:37
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Episode 8: Can I get better at being loud? (and other diaphragm things)
This is in response to a submitted question, "Can I get better at being loud?" This person has noticed that she isn't able to raise her speaking volume to match the crowded spaces she is returning to after years of quiet pandemic life.M...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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11:26
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Episode 7: Why Are My Hands Falling Asleep?
Many instrumentalists deal with tingling and numbness in their hands while they play. Let's talk about why and what to do about it. Main Takeaways:1. You have to learn things to be proficient at them.2. The main resis...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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9:28
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Episode 6: Do Virtual Sessions Really Work?
Let's walk through a recent visit with a musical theater artist and teacher who needed help with a sticky diaphragm and trouble with breath support.Main Points:1. Someone said Abby's voice is soothing, so she wishes them a good ...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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13:22
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Episode 5: How to Build a Starter Strength Workout
Giving all the info you need to build a well-rounded strength workout for beginners. Main Points:1. Go listen to Episode 4 first if you haven't.2. Five main movements to include in every workout.3. Other considerations,...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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7:07
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Episode 4: Musicians Can Lift Heavy Stuff!
Abby makes a case for adding strength training to your routine to improve your performance as a musician.Main points:1. Strength does not equal bulky, stiff, slow muscles. 2. Too many musicians have told me they have been a...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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6:39
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Episode 3: How does breathing work, for real though?
Let's break down the basic anatomy and physiology of breathing as it pertains to making music and staying alive. Abby gives a few updates on her own voice lesson progress.Main points:1. Oxygen in, CO2 out.2. Air moves toward are...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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10:42
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Episode 2: Why Do Injuries Happen?
Abby Halpin, physical therapist and coach for musicians and artists, talks about why injuries happen and what to do when they do. She also shares why she greets the day like she greet you!Main points:1. Pain does not equal tissue da...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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