COURSE UNIT TITLE

: HOLISTIC MUSICIAN HEALTH

DEGREE PROGRAMMES

Description of Individual Course Units

Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type Of Course D U L ECTS
MZK 5028 HOLISTIC MUSICIAN HEALTH ELECTIVE 2 0 0 4

Offered By

Music Teacher Education

Level of Course Unit

First Cycle Programmes (Bachelor's Degree)

Course Coordinator

PERRAN SUZAN BEYDAĞ

Offered to

Music Teacher Education

Course Objective

This course aims to support musicians physical, mental, and emotional well-being through a holistic approach. It focuses on topics such as musculoskeletal issues that may arise during music practice, performance anxiety, breathing and postural awareness, fascia health, and somatic methods, with the goal of helping musicians develop a sustainable and healthy artistic practice. In this way, musicians can acquire the capacity to perform with health and well-being even as they age.

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit

1   Identify key physical and psychological factors affecting musicians health.
2   Integrate principles of posture, breathing, and ergonomics into music practice.
3   Apply basic methods for managing performance anxiety and stress.
4   Demonstrate knowledge of somatic awareness, mindful movement, and fascia health.
5   Develop personal strategies to prevent injuries.
6   Create an individual plan for maintaining a healthy music practice.

Mode of Delivery

Face -to- Face

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

Recomended Optional Programme Components

None

Course Contents

Week Subject Description
1 Course introduction: Overview of holistic musician health
2 Musculoskeletal system in musicians: Anatomical foundations
3 Postural awareness and principles of ergonomics
4 The fascia system and its impact on musical performance
5 Breathing awareness and exercises
6 Somatic approaches (Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Body Mapping and new approaches)
7 Midterm exam and general review
8 Midterm exam and general review
9 Types of injuries and preventive strategies
10 Mindfulness and attention training for musicians
11 Nutrition, sleep, and lifestyle recommendations
12 Managing the body during performance and rehearsal
13 Group work and case analysis
14 Developing a personal plan for healthy music practice
15 General review and final assessment

Recomended or Required Reading

1. Avcı, A. (2025). Müzisyenin Iyilik Hali Rehberi: Fasya ve Nörofulness Farkındalığıyla Holistik Enstrüman Çalışma Modeli. Pegem Akademi Yayıncılık.
2. Williamon, A. (Ed.). (2004). Musical Excellence: Strategies and Techniques to Enhance Performance.
3. Ackermann, B., & Driscoll, T. (2010). Musician's health.
4. Horvath, J. (2010). Playing (less) hurt: An injury prevention guide for musicians.
5. Kocabaş, F. (2015). Performans Kaygısı ve Müzisyen Sağlığı.
6. Yeni makaleler, somatik eğitim kaynakları ve fasya araştırmaları (haftalık eklenecek)

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Lectures and presentations
Discussions and group work
Applied body awareness and breathing exercises
Video and case analysis
Readings and literature discussions
Short student presentations and assignments
Workshops and bodywork sessions (practical applications)

Assessment Methods

SORTING NUMBER SHORT CODE LONG CODE FORMULA
1 MTE Midterm Exam
2 DTK Other Activity
3 FN Semester final exam
4 BNS BNS Student examVZ * 0.30 + Student examDTK * 0.10 + FN * 0.60
5 BUT Make- up note
6 BBN End of make-up grade Student examVZ * 0.30 +Student examDTK * 0.10 + BUT * 0.60


Further Notes About Assessment Methods

None

Assessment Criteria

To be announced.

Language of Instruction

Turkish

Course Policies and Rules

To be announced.

Contact Details for the Lecturer(s)

ayca.avci@deu.edu.tr

Office Hours

Every day.

Work Placement(s)

None

Workload Calculation

Activities Number Time (hours) Total Work Load (hours)
Lectures 13 2 26
Preparations before/after weekly lectures 4 3 12
Preparation for midterm exam 4 6 24
Preparation for final exam 4 5 20
Midterm 2 4 8
Final 2 4 8
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours) 98

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

PO/LOPO.1PO.2PO.3PO.4PO.5PO.6PO.7PO.8PO.9PO.10PO.11PO.12
LO.1111255333111
LO.2111255525111
LO.3111255555111
LO.4111255111111
LO.5111255553111
LO.6121355555111

CONTACT INFORMATION
Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Cumhuriyet Bulvarı No: 144 35210 Alsancak / İZMİR
Phone: +90(232) 412 12 12 - Fax: +90 (232) 464 81 35

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