
Do You Need Muscles to Make Music?
With Berenice Beverly Zammit
Do you have an exercise routine that’s been working for you? We all know movement is good for us but, hand on heart, we don’t always do as much as we’d like. And I’m including myself in this category. But what if I told you exercise could actually have a direct impact on the quality of your performance?
WHAT’S THE LEVEL YOU TRAIN AT?
I have always had the understanding that exercise, especially specifically designed for musicians, was going to help me in terms of injury prevention and general physical and mental wellbeing. But consider this, you’re on stage doing a concert/gig. What would you say your average heart rate will be? And now think about when you practice at home. Will there be a difference?
MUSICIANS ARE ATHLETES
Making music can be deceiving in that a lot of the time we sit on chairs and there isn’t perhaps that much visible movement going on. But make no mistake, we are athletes. And if we don’t train at the level that we perform at, there will always be a slight disconnect.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
So what about you? Have you ever considered the notion of professional musicians as athletes? And what about a direct link between exercise and its effects on performance? In the sixth episode of the podcast, I invited a violinist, PhD candidate and Performance Consultant Berenice Beverley Zammit. Berenice talks about her life as a musician, passionate runner, swimmer, sailer and…rugby player!

Do You Need Muscles to Make Music?
With Berenice Beverly Zammit
Do you have an exercise routine that’s been working for you? We all know movement is good for us but, hand on heart, we don’t always do as much as we’d like. And I’m including myself in this category. But what if I told you exercise could actually have a direct impact on the quality of your performance?
WHAT’S THE LEVEL YOU TRAIN AT?
I have always had the understanding that exercise, especially specifically designed for musicians, was going to help me in terms of injury prevention and general physical and mental wellbeing. But consider this, you’re on stage doing a concert/gig. What would you say your average heart rate will be? And now think about when you practice at home. Will there be a difference?
MUSICIANS ARE ATHLETES
Making music can be deceiving in that a lot of the time we sit on chairs and there isn’t perhaps that much visible movement going on. But make no mistake, we are athletes. And if we don’t train at the level that we perform at, there will always be a slight disconnect.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
So what about you? Have you ever considered the notion of professional musicians as athletes? And what about a direct link between exercise and its effects on performance? In the sixth episode of the podcast, I invited a violinist, PhD candidate and Performance Consultant Berenice Beverley Zammit. Berenice talks about her life as a musician, passionate runner, swimmer, sailer and…rugby player!
Episode Highlights
- Berenice shares her passion for sports alongside her career as a professional violinist and how exercise can aid performance
- Berenice’s research on the science behind performance, its results and conclusions
- Physical preparation for performance concentrating on the heart rate, stress levels, motor skills, etc.
- The importance of physical exercise and strength for musicians’ mental health
- Why creating space for training and exercise is essential for musicians’ wellbeing
- Berenice shares some tips on how to prepare for and reduce stress before performing
Episode Highlights
- Berenice shares her passion for sports alongside her career as a professional violinist and how exercise can aid performance
- Berenice’s research on the science behind performance, its results and conclusions
- Physical preparation for performance concentrating on the heart rate, stress levels, motor skills, etc.
- The importance of physical exercise and strength for musicians’ mental health
- Why creating space for training and exercise is essential for musicians’ wellbeing
- Berenice shares some tips on how to prepare for and reduce stress before performing