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Complex hand dexterity: a review of biomechanical methods for measuring musical performance

Complex hand dexterity: a review of biomechanical methods for measuring musical performance
Complex hand dexterity: a review of biomechanical methods for measuring musical performance
Complex hand dexterity is fundamental to our interactions with the physical, social, and cultural environment. Dexterity can be an expression of creativity and precision in a range of activities, including musical performance. Little is understood about complex hand dexterity or how virtuoso expertise is acquired, due to the versatility of movement combinations available to complete any given task. This has historically limited progress of the field because of difficulties in measuring movements of the hand. Recent developments in methods of motion capture and analysis mean it is now possible to explore the intricate movements of the hand and fingers. These methods allow us insights into the neurophysiological mechanisms underpinning complex hand dexterity and motor learning. They also allow investigation into the key factors that contribute to injury, recovery and functional compensation. The application of such analytical techniques within musical performance provides a multidisciplinary framework for purposeful investigation into the process of learning and skill acquisition in instrumental performance. These highly skilled manual and cognitive tasks present the ultimate achievement in complex hand dexterity. This paper will review methods of assessing instrumental performance in music, focusing specifically on biomechanical measurement and the associated technical challenges faced when measuring highly dexterous activities.
1664-1078
1-12
Metcalf, Cheryl D.
09a47264-8bd5-43bd-a93e-177992c22c72
Irvine, Thomas A.
aab08974-17f8-4614-86be-e94e7b9cfe76
Sims, Jennifer
f8734abd-7234-4a58-ac87-2f66c9be9e57
Wang, Yu L.
e66c59e2-50d0-41f7-b330-6f6bd9435982
Su, Alvin W.Y.
b4c2f56b-59f5-44c9-af8d-80d581fe198d
Norris, David O.
425d9c96-30ae-4c37-a1d3-34e76b8723fc
Metcalf, Cheryl D.
09a47264-8bd5-43bd-a93e-177992c22c72
Irvine, Thomas A.
aab08974-17f8-4614-86be-e94e7b9cfe76
Sims, Jennifer
f8734abd-7234-4a58-ac87-2f66c9be9e57
Wang, Yu L.
e66c59e2-50d0-41f7-b330-6f6bd9435982
Su, Alvin W.Y.
b4c2f56b-59f5-44c9-af8d-80d581fe198d
Norris, David O.
425d9c96-30ae-4c37-a1d3-34e76b8723fc

Metcalf, Cheryl D., Irvine, Thomas A., Sims, Jennifer, Wang, Yu L., Su, Alvin W.Y. and Norris, David O. (2014) Complex hand dexterity: a review of biomechanical methods for measuring musical performance. Frontiers in Psychology, 5 (414), 1-12. (doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00414). (PMID:24860531)

Record type: Article

Abstract

Complex hand dexterity is fundamental to our interactions with the physical, social, and cultural environment. Dexterity can be an expression of creativity and precision in a range of activities, including musical performance. Little is understood about complex hand dexterity or how virtuoso expertise is acquired, due to the versatility of movement combinations available to complete any given task. This has historically limited progress of the field because of difficulties in measuring movements of the hand. Recent developments in methods of motion capture and analysis mean it is now possible to explore the intricate movements of the hand and fingers. These methods allow us insights into the neurophysiological mechanisms underpinning complex hand dexterity and motor learning. They also allow investigation into the key factors that contribute to injury, recovery and functional compensation. The application of such analytical techniques within musical performance provides a multidisciplinary framework for purposeful investigation into the process of learning and skill acquisition in instrumental performance. These highly skilled manual and cognitive tasks present the ultimate achievement in complex hand dexterity. This paper will review methods of assessing instrumental performance in music, focusing specifically on biomechanical measurement and the associated technical challenges faced when measuring highly dexterous activities.

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Accepted/In Press date: 21 April 2014
Published date: 12 May 2014
Organisations: Faculty of Health Sciences

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 400460
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/400460
ISSN: 1664-1078
PURE UUID: adda3816-5128-4a3e-b703-c991dafcd673
ORCID for Cheryl D. Metcalf: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-7404-6066
ORCID for David O. Norris: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-6047-3529

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Date deposited: 14 Sep 2016 14:18
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:20

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Contributors

Author: Jennifer Sims
Author: Yu L. Wang
Author: Alvin W.Y. Su
Author: David O. Norris ORCID iD

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