Content and structure

Course content

The course covers the theoretical and practical basics that are relevant to everyday professional work, drawing on the following areas: functional anatomy, physiology, ergonomics, musicians’ medicine, prevention therapy and forms of rehabilitation for musicians, psychophysiological self-awareness and forms of communication as regards posture, movement, breathing, coordination, “flow concepts” and learning and stage behaviour. There is also a focus on physiologically grounded styles of guidance.

Most of the teaching is done on Fridays during the semester and can be supplemented with optional courses.

  • Individual and group-based tuition in Applied Music Physiology with and without instrument/voice. The work draws on selected aspects of dispokinesis, functional movement theory, yoga, fascia training, mental training and other forms of body self-awareness.

    • Seminar on preventing health problems and problems with playing
    • Psychophysiological training in playing and singing

  • Work experience placements in music physiology advisory sessions, courses and at conferences

    • Small group work on functional anatomy
    • Small group work on brain physiology and on learning strategies for practising and teaching
    • Video analysis in small groups

  • Practice projects for Applied Music Physiology. Analytical and solution-oriented work on case studies under guidance. Participants may involve their own pupils.

  • In case of interest, you can choose an additional group course in the area of self-awareness. The additional costs are calculated according to the scope and teaching structure of the respective course.

Structure of the CAS/MAS modules

In three thematically linked CAS modules (basic, intermediate, advanced) that build on each other, musicians and music educators acquire music physiology and preventive medicine skills and solution strategies for everyday professional life. The focus is on both personal application and instruction/teaching (from CAS Music Physiology intermediate).
Following the CAS Music Physiology advanced, the Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) in Music Physiology is acquired. This is a prerequisite for admission to the Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Music Physiology.

  • 15 ECTS points

    Taken over two semesters, this CAS lays the foundations and is a prerequisite for the continuing education course in Music Physiology. The “CAS Music Physiology (Basic)” can also be completed and a certificate obtained as part of other MAS courses (e.g. the MAS Extended Music Education or MAS Music Practice) as basic training in music physiology. There is an oral/practical final examination.

    Objectives and skills:

    Graduates of the “CAS Music Physiology (Basic)” are able to

    • recognize professional health risks and link fundamental knowledge of the functional anatomy with the requirements of their main instrument or voice,
    • apply a prevention concept with practical exercises from the areas of relaxation, movement, posture and breathing to him/herself in a sensible manner.

  • 15 ECTS points

    Objectives and skills:

    Graduates of the “CAS Music Physiology (Intermediate)” are able to

    • grasp preventive approaches in music education and
    • apply fundamental preventive elements and solution strategies of Music Physiology in teaching situations.

  • 15 ECTS points

    The CAS Music Physiology advanced takes two semesters and leads to a certificate after an oral and practical examination.

    The Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) in Music Physiology is linked to the CAS in Music Physiology Advanced. This degree is a prerequisite for the professional practice of the skills acquired in the CAS. 
    This one-semester module is mentored for four hours and includes written documentation including a photo or DVD supplement on two case studies and two courses. Finally, there is an oral presentation in front of a panel of experts followed by a colloquium.

    Objectives and skills:

    Graduates of the “CAS Music Physiology (Advanced)” are able to

    • hold courses on pedagogic physiology and consultation sessions on their instrument groups or their voice specialization
    • work together with specialist therapists on preventing and solving profession-specific health problems.

  • 15 ECTS credits

    The "Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Music Physiology" includes the CAS courses basic, intermediate and advanced. The degree is awarded as part of the MAS module, which consists of the following three parts:

    Practical project: Implementation of a musicophysiological project in an institution. The duration and content of the project are discussed with the director of studies in music physiology.

    Documentation: In addition to the project, a written paper of 30-50 pages is submitted. The written work must demonstrate the theoretical basis of the practical project as well as a scientific reference. The project content and scheduling as well as content details for the written work are discussed with the mentor and submitted in the project agreement at the same time as the application for the MAS module.

    Presentation and colloquium:
    The project is concluded with a public presentation. It includes a presentation of the research question and hypothesis, an overview of the structure of the work with the presentation of a specific aspect of the project, as well as the personal conclusion and an outlook. The presentation is followed by the colloquium.