Motion capturing for the evaluation of ergonomically designed guitars

Abstract

Many musicians such as guitarists have to practice in very unnatural positions for several hours while making repetitive movements. Specific for guitar players, problems can occur in the long term, at the wrists, shoulders, neck, and low back. Based on user feedback, questionnaires and observations, two types of ergonomic adaptations have been proposed and implemented by (semi) professional instrument builders, while maintaining the original sound quality. The aim of this study is to assess the differences in body kinematics (neck, shoulder, right and left wrist) playing three different kinds of guitars (classical guitar and two adapted guitars) in order to monitor the ergonomic effect on two different players preventing injuries and a decrease of performance. The 3D human movements of two professional guitar players (more than 40 years of experience), one female (age: 53y, body height: 1.64 m) and one male (age: 60y, body height: 1.77 m), were measured using a Vicon motion capturing system while playing the same piece two times on three different guitars (one normal and the two ergonomic adapted guitars). Results indicate that guitars need to be ergonomically adapted for each player, considering gender and anthropometry. Future studies should address ergonomic adaptation using inertial system together with Vicon and video recording.