Brain network flexibility as a predictor of skilled musical performance.

Interactions between the body and the environment are dynamically modulated by upcoming sensory information and motor execution. To adapt to this behavioral state-shift, brain activity must also be flexible and possess a large repertoire of brain networks so as to switch them flexibly. Recently, flexible internal brain communications, i.

Reliability and Validity of the Embouchure Dystonia Severity Rating Scale.

Objective: Embouchure dystonia (ED) is a task-specific movement disorder that leads to loss of fine motor control of the embouchure and tongue muscles in wind musicians. In contrast to musicians' hand dystonia, no validated severity rating for ED exists, posing a major obstacle for structured assessment in scientific and clinical settings. The aim of this study is to validate an ED severity rating scale (EDSRS) allowing for a standardized estimation of symptom severity in ED.

Quantification of sound instability in embouchure tremor based on the time-varying fundamental frequency.

Task-specific tremor in musicians is an involuntary oscillating muscular activity mostly of the hand or the embouchure, which predominantly occurs while playing the instrument. In contrast to arm or hand tremors, which have been examined and objectified based on movement kinematics and muscular activity, embouchure tremor has not yet been investigated. To quantify and describe embouchure tremor we analysed sound production and investigated the fluctuation of the time-varying fundamental frequency of sustained notes.

Noh voice quality.

In Noh, a traditional performing art of Japan, extremely expressive voice quality is used to convey an emotional message. A periodicity of voice appears responsible for these special effects. Acoustic signals were recorded for selected portions of dramatic singing in order to study the acoustic effects of delicate voice control by a master of the Konparu school.