An Examination of Trunk and Right-Hand Coordination in Piano Performance: A Case Comparison of Three Pianists.

Playing the piano at expert levels typically involves significant levels of trial-and-error learning since the majority of practice occurs in isolation. To better optimize musical outcomes, pianists might be well served by emulating some of the practices found in sports, where motor learning strategies are grounded in biomechanics and ergonomics in order to improve performance and reduce risk of performance-related injuries. The purpose of the current study is to examine trunk-hand coordination and preparatory movement strategization in piano performance, while considering the influence of anthropometry, skill level of the performer, and musical context.

Pursuing Artful Movement Science in Music Performance: Single Subject Motor Analysis With Two Elite Pianists.

Piano performance motor learning research requires more "artful" methodologies if it is to meaningfully address music performance as a corporeal art. To date, research has been sparse and it has typically constrained multiple performance variables in order to isolate specific phenomena. This approach has denied the fundamental ethos of music performance which, for elite performers, is an act of interpretation, not mere reproduction.