ABSTRACT
Movement of the right arm of trombone players who differed in level of experience was studied. Forty-two professional, student, and beginning players participated. All performers played a series of musical exercises and excerpts at fast and slow tempos. An ultrasonic ranging system was used to test the hypothesis that professionals would move the slide faster than student performers. Electrogoniometers were used to assess movement of the wrist during performance. Cinematography was used to assess integration of shoulder, elbow, and wrist movement. Data taken from the trombone slide, wrist and elbow indicate that there are similarities of activity among players, but professional performers move the slide more efficiently and use less elbow angle. Professionals also accelerate the slide faster than amateurs. Individual variability in motion was greatest in the wrist. The researchers believe that the biomechanical study of musical perfonnance will contribute to increased understanding of expertise, improved pedagogy, and potentially an understanding of movement related injuries.
