Violin and Viola

Marc and Véronique Papillon support musicians throughout their professional lives. Their work is grounded in functional anatomy and the pursuit of excellence. It is not normal to hurt yourself when playing, and day-to-day pain is demoralizing. Pain persists despite every effort because the real problem is too much relaxation.

The pursuit of relaxation is the main misconception in music teaching. Playing without pain is nothing extreme. Marc and Véronique Papillon share their work and keep creating new tools for musicians every day.

Playing remains physically very demanding and can cause serious problems for violinists over their decades of practice. There are many variables and uncomfortable positions that put the body to the test over the course of a career: pushing the left shoulder forward and twisting the arm to reach distant positions on the violin itself, and the right hand working the bow above shoulder level, sometimes for long periods with little chance to rest.

This book offers a very interesting anatomical perspective and physiological analysis of violin playing. It contains excellent ideas that can help improve posture and comfort. This knowledge is not taught in music schools and conservatories. The illustrations are helpful for understanding exactly what the authors convey.

Véronique and Marc Papillon’s expertise is evident throughout this book. Véronique, a soloist at the Opéra National de Paris, has built up a great deal of knowledge about the violin and playing comfort over her professional career. Together with master physiotherapist Marc Papillon, they have created a wonderful insight into the specific needs and challenges of the violinist’s body.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in the challenges a violinist faces every day.

Petteri Iivonen – Concertmaster of the Orchestre National de l’Opéra de Paris and conductor

The hand is the most precious of instruments. Following my teacher Raoul Tubiana, I would add that this is even truer for the violinist, who must dissociate the movements of the right and left hands with the greatest virtuosity. Yet does the violinist know the full range of functions of the upper limbs, and in particular of the hands, when playing? The mistreatment that instrumentalists, in this case violinists, sometimes inflict on their bodies has become a subject of study for health professionals, who, at the request of music teachers, have looked into functional disorders in students. At the same time, some professionals have developed their playing by trying to draw on functional physiology without really being able to apply it to their instrument.

The aim of this book is precisely to fill that gap and to introduce violinists to functional physiology, so that they can make the most of their physical abilities and avoid conflicting postures or habits that could hinder their careers.

This book was written by Marc and Véronique Papillon, who for many years have been committed to developing the treatment and prevention of violinists’ functional disorders. Marc’s artistic sensitivity (he plays an instrument himself) and his knowledge of musicians’ psychology have given him an understanding of violinists’ functional mechanisms. His collaboration with Véronique Papillon, herself a violinist in the Opéra orchestra, together with her professional orchestral practice and her work as a violin teacher, have brought hands-on experience to this book.

– Marc trained alongside me, taking an active part in the rehabilitation carried out in my practice, where we have always worked in close collaboration.

– Like me, he took part in the clinics set up by Professor Tubiana and, later, in the multidisciplinary clinic developed by the association Médecine des Arts.

– He dances, which gives him an approach to physical preparation and a healthy lifestyle that should be offered to musicians.

– He leads numerous workshops in France and abroad to spread the idea of targeted prevention for violinists.

– He develops mental preparation aimed at mastering emotions and stress before and during instrumental performance.

This very personal work is the fruit of extensive experience with violinists. Everything is set out to allow a rational correction and prevention of faulty habits at the instrument. It is recommended for students and professionals alike, right up to orchestral violinists who need a functional physiological foundation for their technique. It is also recommended for specialist therapists and physical medicine practitioners, who will find in it all the subtleties of examining a violinist as well as the various treatments for functional disorders. Marc and Véronique Papillon have written a book which I hope will become a reference, covering care, prevention and attention to the violinist’s musical personality.

Philippe Chamagne – Physiotherapist – Musicians’ rehabilitation

Véronique Marcel Papillon has always been passionate about teaching. She prepares and supports musicians as they get ready for auditions.

Coach, trainer, teacher, author and musician, Véronique Marcel Papillon works with professional musicians. She passionately shares her experience as a musician and coach so that music goes hand in hand with enjoyment and success! A soloist with the Orchestre National de l’Opéra de Paris, Véronique Papillon leads numerous workshops in France and abroad. She now devotes herself to audition preparation.