Violin Players Research Articles

Transient entrapment neuropathy of the posterior interosseous nerve in violin players.

Eleven white male right handed violin players complained of transient muscular deficit of the extensor compartment of the left forearm during and after prolonged playing. This was associated with paraesthesiae and pain. Relief was achieved keeping the wrist and the elbow flexed, with the supinated forearm held by the contralateral hand. An anatomical study showed changes of the relationship of the posterior interosseous nerve with its surrounding structures with pronation and supination of the forearm. On the basis of the clinical features, the anatomical studies and the response to a simple physiotherapeutic regime, it is suggested that prolonged pronation of the forearm may cause transient entrapment of the nerve.

Kinetics of violin vibrato

Work related neck and shoulder disorders are a great problem for string musicians. A playing technique with more relaxed muscles and a greater variation in the muscle activity pattern, i.e., with shorter sequences at a varied number of amplitude levels as reflected by electromyography (EMG), might prevent pain. This study used EMG to study variations in the trapezius muscle activity pattern in 12 string musicians performing a piece of music at two playing sessions separated by a ten-week interval. Nine of the string musicians played violin, two viola and one cello. Exposure variation analysis and principal component analysis were used for analysis of the EMG. The trapezius muscle activity pattern was similar in the first and second playing sessions showing that each musician repeated his/her own muscular activity pattern. However, there was considerable variability in the muscle activity pattern between cello, violin and viola players and between individual violin players. Thus, this EMG method has the potential to identify variations and reproducibility of trapezius muscle activity in string musicians. This method may be used to analyse individual differences when performing a musical work task and to evaluate intervention studies.Intervention studies on muscle activity pattern which try to change the work technique need to be evaluated.

In vivo EMG biofeedback in violin and viola pedagogy.

In vivo EMG biofeedback was found to be an effective pedagogical tool for removing unwanted left-hand tension in nine violin and viola players. Improvement occurred rapidly and persisted throughout a 5-month follow-up period. Further studies will be necessary to assess the effect of biofeedback independent of placebo effects. The brevity of the method and the magnitude of improvement warrant further investigation.

Jaw Dysfunction in Viola and Violin Players

Violin and viola players often experience pain and stiffness in the right temporomandibular joint area. This study attempts to document jaw dysfunction in a group of professional musicians and to correlate it with practice time and instrument weight and size.

Dermatoses of the Neck Affecting Violin and Viola Players (Fiddler??s Neck and Contact Dermatitis)

Dermatoses of the Neck Affecting Violin and Viola Players (Fiddler??s Neck and Contact Dermatitis)

Observations on a voluntary tremor--violinist's virbato.

Observations have been made on a voluntary, rhythmically repeated oscillatory hand movement used by violin players (vibrato). It involves almost isometric contractions of various muscles controlling the movement of the left hand and fingers with flexor‐extensor alternation clearly shown in electromyogram (EMG) records. The movement has a dominant frequency of oscillation (Vn) characteristic for each individual studied. Training improves voluntary control of vibrato rate, those with less technical training showing more loss of smooth alternation when they attempt to slow the rate from their Vn. The rate is not affected by loading the hand and/or arm, nor by abolishing sensation in the finger used for vibrato, but may be slightly quickened by increased (flexor) muscle contraction. With imposed oscillations of different frequencies there was evidence of resonance at Vn rate only when the forearm muscles were contracted, but the few persisting waves of movement seen after cessation of the input oscillation were slower than the input unless this was very close to vibrato frequency. After a vibrato run was stopped persistence of rhythmic EMG groups was seen in flexor, extensor, and dorsal interosseous muscles (but not in pronator teres) with longer persistence in more strongly contracted muscle. These persistent groups accelerated immediately vibrato stopped to a rate within the range of 8–12/sec usually quoted for physiological tremor. Similar persistent groups followed Merton's silent period after nerve stimulation provided there was some initial muscular contraction present. EMG activity at the end of this period seemed to trigger the further cycles which in one playing subject were at Vn frequency. Simultaneous records from forearm flexors and extensors showed alternation of persisting EMG groups following both vibrato and nerve stimulation. The dominance of an individual's Vn frequency and the acceleration from this rate shown by the persisting EMG groups suggests the involvement of more complicated neural pathways than solely that of the myotatic reflex.There are strong similarities between the voluntary movement of vibrato and the involuntary one of physiological tremor, but Vn is always slower than tremor.