Embouchure Muscle Activity in Student and Elite Trumpeters
- Submitting institution
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University of South Wales / Prifysgol De Cymru
: B - B – Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
- Unit of assessment
- 33 - Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies : B - B – Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
- Output identifier
- 4821278
- Type
- D - Journal article
- DOI
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10.21091/mppa.2020.1006
- Title of journal
- Medical Problems of Performing Artists
- Article number
- -
- First page
- 42-53
- Volume
- 35
- Issue
- 1
- ISSN
- 0885-1158
- Open access status
- Deposit exception
- Month of publication
- -
- Year of publication
- 2020
- URL
-
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- Supplementary information
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- Request cross-referral to
- -
- Output has been delayed by COVID-19
- No
- COVID-19 affected output statement
- -
- Forensic science
- No
- Criminology
- No
- Interdisciplinary
- No
- Number of additional authors
-
-
- Research group(s)
-
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- Proposed double-weighted
- No
- Reserve for an output with double weighting
- No
- Additional information
- This is part of an ongoing study into embouchure function in brass players, involving trombone and French horn players as well as trumpeters. Embouchure function is central to brass playing and teachers hold strong views about its use, however there is very little objective information on how the embouchure muscles are employed. We are using electromyography to record activity in the muscles that surround the mouth while simultaneously measuring the pressure applied to the mouthpiece. Though the muscles central to the embouchure are very fine and lie close to the mouthpiece, the small electrodes we use enable us to record from four on each side of the face. This study involved seven trumpet students at RWCMD and three professional players. All carried out a series of simple playing tasks to reveal patterns of muscle activation. In the study of trumpeters there are indications of patterns of muscle activity that distinguish different levels of professional development, however it is also clear that professional players can differ markedly in how they control the embouchure. This may be linked to how they have been taught, the type of playing they do and differences in facial structure.
In response to Kevin’s observation of predominantly subjective teaching styles and strategies, this study was devised in collaboration with Alan Watson. Kevin was involved in the design and development of the protocols, recruitment of the subjects and the interpretation of the results. Alan Watson has experience in electromyography and was in charge of the physiological recordings and initial data analysis.
- Author contribution statement
- -
- Non-English
- No
- English abstract
- -