Process innovation supported by technology – Making for longer injury-free careers in the case of high performance musicians

Abstract

Technology and its widespread usage has dictated a far-reaching revolution in many domains, including in the teaching of music, as described in this study. Using technology (costing €150,000 for the cameras – MoCap – Qualisys AB, Sweden; and €150,000 for the system for analysis – Visual 3D software – C-Motion, USA) it was possible to predict that the duration of the career of a violinist supported by such tools – correcting one’s technique – may be prolonged significantly – as much as fifteen years or more. This approach may even mean the difference between being able to continue with one’s chosen profession or having to end it prematurely. Such technology may be applied to even the youngest of performers – aged 6 or 7 years old – a number of whose careers we suggest be followed to provide further support for our study. The correct placing of the left hand will help avoid injury and support a quicker evolution. Less time will be wasted, for better results. The musician will be more efficient, more flexible, and will have a more natural position and less musculoskeletal problems. The technology used compared the data and it was verified that for each chord there was an ideal height – corresponding to a more relaxed and natural position of the left hand when playing. One may represent the study’s findings as a model, as follows: OPIH (optimal performance and ideal height of the left hand) = function of {dimension of the instrument, length of the strings, dimension of the hand, dimension of the fingers}.