Play better. Move Freer.
Create for Life.
Created by a Musician and Movement Specialist with a background in Manual Osteopathy, Psychology, and Strength Coaching.
Bringing science, movement, and musicianship together for adult learners.
Reclaim your confidence, ease, and connection to the Music without the tension, strain, or second-guessing.
Founded by a Musician and Movement Specialist, informed by 15 + years' experience in psychology, movement coaching, and helping adults understand their bodies.Gentle Octaves blends science and movement with the craft of playing well. We build practical, musician-driven systems that blend science, movement education, and craft so you can play with strength, confidence, and flow at any age.
Science-based, body smart movement and self-guided education systems for new, returning and practicing musicians.
Music isn’t just a hobby: it’s a lifeline. We’re here to help you find it and protect it.
Whether you’re coming back after a long break, adapting to an aging body, or simply ready to play with more freedom, we’re here to support your journey.Here you’ll find science-informed guides, practical habits, and body smart systems built for adult musicians who want to build confidence, ease, and longevity in their playing at any stage.
Our mission is to help adult musicians, especially those dealing with long-term tension, joint stiffness, or self-doubt, play with freedom and confidence again.If you’re returning after years away or just trying to make practice feel better, we get it. We’ve lived it.Gentle Octaves gives you practical, movement-based tools to help you play in a way that feels good again.
Keep Playing: A Body-Smart Method for Comfortable, Confident Guitar Playing at Any Age.
Our flagship book delivers the complete Release → Reset → Rebuild™ method: a movement-based approach to more comfortable, confident guitar playing.Inside, you’ll find body-friendly guitar positions, practical exercises, printable tools, and clear movement maps based on real-world experience working with adult players.It’s designed for adults returning to music, navigating stiffness or long breaks, or simply wanting a more sustainable way to play.The book is authored by F.P. O’Connor a musician and movement specialist with training in Manual Osteopathy (D.O.M.P.), Psychology (BSc Hons), and Strength Coaching, drawing on 15+ years of experience helping adults understand their bodies and play with more ease.
Identify your unique patterns and follow the provided protocol step by step
The book contains six distinct easy to follow self checks, (including postural and movement checks) you can complete to systematically help you spot the patterns, tension, and habits that might be shaping your playing.From there, you’ll know exactly which parts of the Release–Reset–Rebuild™ approach will matter most to you.
Get clear on the patterns that make playing feel tense, stiff, or strained
This book will help you easily identify your own Movement Patterns so you can apply changes you your playing technique and play with less tension.Includes complete steps by step routines for 6 of the most commonly observed patterns in musicians including Cervical Radiculopathy Pattern, Ulnar Nerve Entrapment Pattern, Shoulder Blade Collapse Pattern, Outer Elbow Pain Pattern, Low Back & Pelvic Dysfunction Pattern and Forearm Flexor Tendinopathy Pattern.
Mindset Reframing
Learn evidence informed mindset tools to to break the Fear–Tension Cycle and rebuild trust in your body.Confidence Building: Build resilience and overcome the common "confidence dip" by using simple mental strategies to prove to your nervous system that music is safe again.
Equipment Solutions and Modifications
Simple guided checks to help you figure out the right gear setup, playing position, and ergonomic choices that make your body feel more at home with the instrument.
The Release–Reset–Rebuild™ Framework
The RRR™ framework is a structured, movement-based approach informed by principles from Osteopathy, Exercise Science, Behavioural Psychology, and Motor Learning.It goes beyond quick fixes by helping musicians explore the movement patterns, tensions, and habits that shape how they play, offering a clear process for developing more ease, control, and awareness over time.RRR™ can be applied across any playing-related area: neck, shoulders, wrists, or back through its three overlapping phases: Release, Reset, and Rebuild.Each phase guides you in understanding your body, adjusting your technique, and building more sustainable patterns for long-term comfort and confidence.
The Release–Reset–Rebuild™ Guides
The RRR™ guides were developed from years of experience working with adult guitarists and musicians: noticing the movement patterns, tension, and habits that quietly shape how they play.
Every plan follows the Release–Reset–Rebuild model:Phase 1: Release: ease tension and create space for freer movementPhase 2: Reset: refine patterns and reconnect with efficient mechanicsPhase 3: Rebuild: develop strength, control, and confidence for sustainable playingThe goal is simple: move from reading to doing, without guesswork.Find the pattern or area that matches your experience, and you’ll have a clear, practical guide you can apply at your own pace.
Address common playing challenges including adaptations for joint stiffness and mature players.
This book gives adult guitarists a clear, practical way to understand how the body changes with age and how long-standing tension or habits can show up in your playing.
The method looks at three key areas working together: movement strategies (Release–Reset–Rebuild™), simple gear and setup choices, and the mindset needed to play with confidence again.
The T.O.N.E. Method: The warm up you'll tune in to again and again
This simple, four-zone warmup system is provided to prepare the body for movement and support mobility before playing.It focuses on joint-friendly motions (Zone O: Open the Joints) and neuromuscular activation (Zone N) to prime the body safely.
Reviews of Keep Playing
"Finally, something tailored specifically to mature guitarists. The 3-step structure made it easy to follow, and the visual demos meant I didn't waste time guessing. Within days, I felt less pain in my wrist and could finally hold barre chords again."
James R., 57, Ontario
"Clear, smart, and practical. I was nervous to pick up the guitar again after years. This guide didn't just help my body it gave me back my confidence. It's like it was made for people like me."
Elizabeth, 53, Rhode Island, USA
"The tone is kind, the guidance is legit, and the results are real. My shoulder pain used to stop me from playing now I can get through full sessions again. This is a game-changer."
Neil T., 45, Singer/Songwriter
"I was ready to quit. My fingers hurt, my posture was a mess, and YouTube just made it worse. This book actually helped. Real exercises, no fluff. I'm back to playing every night pain-free."
Marianne L., Dublin, Ireland
"The value you provide in this book is outstanding. Its a reference I keep going back to when I need a warmup protocol or when pain starts coming back. You made it so easy to follow and to the point. Thank you! I recommended this book and the techniques to so many other players. "
Tony F., 67, Ohio, USA
"I've tried physio, splints, posture videos nothing clicked. The Release-Reset-Rebuild steps finally made sense of it all. It's written like it understands older players. My hands feel 10 years younger."
Wally J. , 49, Manchester, England
"I thought I was too old for this. But this book said otherwise. The way it explains pain, posture, and technique is brilliant. I've made more progress in 3 weeks than in the last 3 years."
Jessie M., 62 Nova Scotia, Canada
Our other Publications
Play Without Pain: The Essential Guitarists Guide to Comfortable Sustainable Playing
Stop Playing in Discomfort : Discover the principles and techniques that help you keep playing comfortably.If your guitar sessions end with sore fingers, aching wrists, or stiff shoulders, you’re not alone.Over 70% of guitarists quit early not because they lack talent, but because discomfort makes practice a chore.Our 18 page manual contains target stretches, a warm up sequence, techniques for both hands and a daily checklist you can apply immediately to help relive pain. Oh and it's FREE!
Guitar Comfort Secrets: Transform your Playing
A quick-start guide to optimizing guitar comfort through setup especially helpful for adults struggling with finger pressure, buzzing strings, or discomfort while playing.You'll learn the #1 cause of hand fatigue (and how to fix it with a 5-minute check), how string height and action affect pressure and tone and why your neck angle and saddle height matter more than you think.
The 5 Minute Hand & Forearm Stretch Routine
This warm-up and recovery tool combines evidence-based stretches to prevent pain, reduce tension and keep your hands and wrists healthy.In just five minutes, you'll improve mobility and resilience so you can perform with confidence. Simple stretches with visuals for each stretch and a printable 5-minute warm-up you can keep beside your guitar
🎶 Stay Inspired and Updated
Join our weekly studio circle email for practical tips on guitar comfort, mindset, and staying pain-free. You'll also get access to early release and special discounts on our newest launches!
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