Abstract
BackgroundAt present only little information is available concerning the acquisition of skilled movements in musicians. Although optimally a longitudinal study of changing movement patterns during the process of increasing expertise is required, long-term follow up over several years is difficult to manage. Therefore, in the present cross-sectional study a comparative kinematic analysis of skilled movements in drummers with different levels of expertise was carried out.AimsThe aim of the investigation was (1) to analyze the kinematic differences between beginners, students and expert drummers, and (2) to deduce from the results general rules related to the acquisition of drumming expertise and (3) to discuss the implications for drum teaching.MethodTwo highly skilled experts, eight professional drumming students and five beginners participated in the experiment. Fast repetitive drumming movements were assessed using an active infrared measurement setup (SELSPOT-System). Recording was obtained from LEDs positioned over the shoulder-, elbow-, wrist- and MCP-joints and close to the tip of the stick at a sampling rate of 300 Hz. Kinematic analysis included calculation of angles, velocities and accelerations and assessment of the relation between velocity and acceleration as phase diagrams.ResultsTemporal accuracy of the drumming movements was related to expertise. In contrast to beginners, experts and students revealed a high degree of self-similarity of movements and a predominant use of low-mass distal joints, resulting in a whiplash-like movement when hitting the pad.ConclusionIntense training in students and experts results in economic utilization of forces. Percussion teachers can take advantage of the kinematic analysis and improve their instructions according to the student’s observed motor pattern.
Highlights
The precise execution of very fast and in many instances extremely complex movement patterns characterizes the motor skills of professional musicians
With respect to the biomechanics playing an instrument requires a maximized economy of force at a minimized error rate
About 25 beats are accumulated over time, each light emitting diodes (LEDs) position yields a cyclic pattern
Summary
The precise execution of very fast and in many instances extremely complex movement patterns characterizes the motor skills of professional musicians To gain such a high level of expertise prolonged and intense training over many years is a prerequisite. Basis of a musician’s career is “technique,” which comprises excellent control of movements in both, temporal and spatial dimensions, high velocity of these movements and the ability to sustain regularity, speed and loudness of playing over a long time period. These “technical” training goals are implicitly defined in all major collection of “Etudes,” often composed by outstanding performer-composers, e.g., Chopin, Skriabin, Rachmaninov, Prokofiew to name but a few for the piano. In the present crosssectional study a comparative kinematic analysis of skilled movements in drummers with different levels of expertise was carried out
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