You Are Your Instrument:
The Definitive Musician's Guide
To Practice and Performance

NEW digital Epub Version — fully revised!
Check out the Resources listed in the book
Reviewers: Download cover or press release
Four Free "Playing Healthy" videos on Youtube

• REVIEWS • Playing Healthy Workshops • Hard-copy version of You Are Your Instrument • Spin-off DVDs for string players • Spin-off DVD for vocalists • Spin-off video for instrumentalists • Chin-rest & shoulder-rest set-up for string players

Twenty stellar reviews: You Are Your Instrument has received international critical acclaim.
This ground-breaking book was originally published in 1991.

Ebook version — completely updated for its 6th edition:

You Are Your Instrument on iTunes
You Are Your Instrument for Kindle Reader
You Are Your Instrument for iBook Reader
Look for You Are Your Instrument on Sony, Barnes&Noble, and Google books (coming soon)
You can download it onto your cellphone, desktop, or any other reader you have a device for!

To read You Are Your Instrument on your desktop: You don't have to own a digital reader like an iBook or Kindle to take advantage of owning a digital copy of the book. You can download an Adobe Editions digital ebook reader for free, or a Kindle ereader (PC or Mac.) for free and use it on your computer and then order You Are Your Instrument through that reader or through the software that comes with an actual digital reader.

This unique guide is designed to help musicians open up new avenues of expression through a pain-free, healthy, fluid approach to music-making; overcome performance anxiety, general tension, and muscular injury; and increase learning skills while facilitating more effective motor coordination.

This is a highly recommended book to read for the musician who needs information about maximizing their full potential as an artist. It is practical in that it covers all aspects of musicianship, ranging from the mental preparation involved in performance to the actual physical preventative and healing care needed for repetitive stress injuries. Reviewers have stated, "Her six-level approach to memorization…is worth the price of the book.

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Playing Healthy Workshops

Playing Healthy String-centric, or all instruments, including voice

An in-depth survey of muscle and joint function in relationship to practice and performance. Warning signs, healing approaches, fluid brain-to-muscle techniques, seated and standing posture, muscle balance exercises, and breathing techniques are covered. Time is allotted for questions and individual coaching. This workshop can be presented to instrumentalists or focussed on string players to fit your program's needs. It can also be coupled with individualized sessions following the master class. There is a separate version of this workshop available for vocalists. Based on Julie Lyonn Lieberman's book, You Are Your Instrument, and her DVDs Vocal Aerobics, Violin and Viola Ergonomics, and The Violin in Motion

The Chemistry of Nervousness All instruments, including voice	All performers undoubtedly experience physical and mental sensations before and during performance. Lieberman explains the chemistry behind these effects, and provides participants with tools they can use to protect themselves from the negative consequences and create a quality experience while making music. Based on the book, You Are Your Instrument, and the DVDs Vocal Aerobics, Violin and Viola Ergonomics, and The Violin in Motion by Julie Lyonn Lieberman
Playing Fast and Loving It All instruments	An off-shoot of the "Playing Healthy" workshop, Lieberman focuses on the mental and physical skills necessary to support effortless speed, fluidity, and agility on one's instrument. She uses imagery balanced with science to help students develop a quality of experience while playing at any tempo. Based on the book, You Are Your Instrument, and the DVDs Vocal Aerobics, Violin and Viola Ergonomics, and The Violin in Motion by Julie Lyonn Lieberman
Violin and Viola Ergonomics String-centric	Julie Lyonn Lieberman will provide a comprehensive overview of the issues that determine instrument position and support. She will hone in on specific concerns like differences in body-type; postural habits, re-educating muscle memory; joint and muscle function; personalizing the equipment. She will also discuss how violinists and violists can work with the four variables for placement: horizontal, vertical, tilt, and angle. Emphasis will be placed on creating a dynamic (rather than static), well-supported, pain-free dance with your instrument. "Julie, I thought that your [Violin and Viola Ergonomics] workshop was so startlingly original, so large in its scope and informed in its detail that I was very taken. To put it another way, it seemed to me that you have put the pieces together in a way that no one else has, and sonofagun, THEY FIT!" Dr. Phillip Coonce Inventor, Don't Fret

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You Are Your Instrument Reviews

"Highly recommended as a source of inspiration and insight - perfect to keep on your e-reader!"
- Blaise Kielar, Electric Violin Shop

“This is a highly recommended book to read for the musician who needs information about maximizing one’s full potential as an artist. This book is practical in that it covers all aspects of musicianship, ranging from the mental preparations involved in performance to the actual bodily care needed to prevent long-term injuries.”
- Teresa Ancaya, Book Review

“…an important addition to the growing field of Performance Medicine. The exercises and practice suggestions are carefully thought out and a great asset to musical injury prevention.”
- Dr. Richard Norris, M.D.

“…solidly researched, very well organized, clearly written and illustrated, and if not encyclopedic at least impressively broad in scope.”
- Ted Rust, Music for the Love of It

“Julie Lyonn Lieberman has created a knowledgeable, well written and comprehensive guide to music practice and performance without being dogmatic, pedantic, or redundant — not an easy feat.”
- Aileen Crow, Bookshelf

“Julie Lyonn Lieberman has put together a handsome, clear guide with a variety of tips and suggestions…. The book is a large format, well designed and cleverly illustrated…. This is a useful resource guide for today’s performing musicians, and a beneficial tool for teachers to utilize in assisting students to develop healthy habits.”
- Gail Berenson, American Music Teacher

“…a novel, helpful manual of interest to any musician.”
- The Small Press Book Review

“…a must for every musician’s library. I am excited about learning to play in a fluid, pain-free way. The insights from your book are sure to be very helpful in the weeks (and years!) to come. Already I can feel a difference every time I sit down with the instrument.”
- Bill Ochs, Pennywhistler’s Press

“…good common sense approaches to physical well-being, and some helpful hints for approaching the stress that haunts all performers at one time or another. Useful reading.”
- The Opera Journal

“…both a practice and performance guide and a key to playing in a fluid, pain-free manner.”
- The Bookwatch

“…a reference compendium for minimizing physical pain caused by playing techniques…she’s covered the waterfront.”
- JazzTimes

“You Are Your Instrument is an exceptional title which shows musicians how to approach and understand their minds, their bodies, how to seek specific medical help when needed, the art of warming up, combating nervousness, carrying equipment, surviving the road, the importance of correct muscle balance, self exercise systems…and healing remedies.”
- The Coast Book Review Service

“Full of useful information for musicians of all genres, this book is laid out in an intelligent and attractive format that supports both browsing and in-depth study. The production quality is particularly impressive given that the book is self-published…. Her six-level approach to memorization is a great improvement over the haphazard methods most musicians use. (One musician told me it was ‘was worth the price of the whole book.’)”
- Liz Stell, The Berkshire Eagle

“[You Are Your Instrument] has much to recommend it as it provides much valuable information.”
- Paul Mansur, The Horn Call

“By understanding how the body works, Lieberman emphasizes avoiding physical tension and achieving a balance in the body to prevent physical problems, and includes a list of potential problems.”
- The Instrumentalist

“The true value of this method is that it can open your eyes to a new dimension of physical and mental awareness, and the way that awareness can improve your music.”
- The Devil’s Box

“Pragmatic and at the same time engagingly written….”
- The NATS Journal

“This is a concise, intelligently written book of ambitious scope, which seeks to address the needs to the growing number of musicians who find themselves struggling with physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual injuries and limitations.”
- STRINGS Magazine

"I want to thank you for your book, "You are Your Instrument." I performed Tchaikovsky's Serenade Melancolique this evening with our local orchestra, and referred to your book in my preparation for the performance. I was struck by your statement that you had met few musicians who had reason to feel confident on stage. I used many of your suggestions for memorization, and have seldom felt so good about a performance. I was able to actually enjoy being on stage rather than get hoping to just get through the experience. When I would feel nervous beforehand I would mentally comment to myself "Wow, I am really alive tonight", and then just keep doing whatever I was doing. Thank you for sharing your insights in this book!"
- Maurine Akin

“…she is careful to include down-to-earth practical advice and hard scientific information…the book is attractively produced…”
- Scott Patterson, Continuo Magazine

 

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Resources listed in You Are Your Instrument:

Click images to explore...

References Listed in the Text

 

 

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Directory Resources

 

Homespun Tapes produced Julie Lyonn Lieberman's video titled The Instrumentalist's Guide to Fitness, Health, and Musicianship