Analysis of the relationship between muscle activity and acoustic features during trumpet play and the construction of a myoelectric visual feedback system

Abstract

Breath control and lip vibration are crucial for a stable performance while playing the trumpet. We analyzed the differences in abdominal and orofacial muscle activity in acoustic features such as pitch (B♭2, F3, B♭3, F4, B♭4), intensity (pp, mf, ff), and duration (0.75, 6 s) during the preparation and sustain periods using surface electromyography in 11 amateur trumpeters. When the pitch was high, the activity of both muscles increased in both the preparation and sustain periods. However, when the intensity was high, the activity of both muscles increased only during the sustain period. Orofacial muscle activity was lower after tone production and abdominal muscle activity was higher after tone production than before tone production. In addition, we developed a visual feedback system that displays the muscle activities and acoustic features related to the produced sound as biofeedback can make learning performing technique efficient (LeVine, 1984). This system enables the player to objectively recognize the acoustic features and muscle activities related to sound. We aim to enhance performing technique by determining the relationship between the use of the body during a performance and the produced sound.