Effect of Instrument Structure Alterations on Violin Performance.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Music Performance
• Motor Control

Background:

• Extensive musical training leads to automated sensorimotor control.
• Sensorimotor mechanisms predict bodily and instrument state changes during performance.
• The robustness of these predictive mechanisms to instrument alteration is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how sensorimotor prediction mechanisms are affected by instrument modification.
• To determine the limits of adaptation to altered instrument configurations.
• To explore individual differences in adapting to new instrument setups.

Main Methods:

• Seven professional violinists performed on four violins: their own, a cheap, a small, and a reverse-strung violin.
• Quantitative analysis of performance intonation, duration, bowing gestures, and errors.
• Exploratory study design to assess sensorimotor adaptation.

Main Results:

• Violinists exhibited significant difficulties adapting to altered instruments, particularly the reverse-strung violin.
• Performance fluency and precision decreased with modified instruments, especially the reverse-strung and small violins.
• Individual variability in adaptation suggests a personal capacity for adjusting to instrument changes.

Conclusions:

• Sensorimotor prediction mechanisms are dependent on instrument configuration.
• Significant instrument modifications challenge automated performance.
• The ability to adapt to a new instrument is highly individualized.