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For musicians, performance problems often go unnoticed at first and have several different starting points. Regardless of the starting point, the “problem” manifests physiologically as tension. It is useful for therapists, doctors, and other specialists to see clients perform. Corrections need to be made to their physical, mental, and emotional approach to performance. Retraining with surface electromyography biofeedback and video helps identify elevations in muscle tension and incorrect body alignment. Feedback-assisted retraining helps to bring about self-awareness and the skills to reduce tension and achieve optimal performance.

Keywords: musicians' performance problems; repetitive strain; peak performance; surface electromyography; video feedback
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Copyright: Association for Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback
<bold>Figure 1.</bold>
Figure 1.

Piano roll notation of overlap of notes.


<bold>Figure 2.</bold>
Figure 2.

Piano roll notation showing improved legato playing: less note overlap (finger numbers the same as Figure 1).


<bold>Figure 3.</bold>
Figure 3.

Raise wrist position and SEMG graph of five-finger exercise performed. Top line: extensor; bottom: flexor.


<bold>Figure 4.</bold>
Figure 4.

Lowered wrist position and SEMG graph of five-finger exercise. Top line: extensor; bottom line: flexor.


<bold>Figure 5.</bold>
Figure 5.

Differences in SEMG activity of forearm extensor with adjusted forearm alignment.



Contributor Notes

Correspondence: Kathleen Riley, PhD, PO Box 461, Allamuchy, NJ 07820, email: krileyphd@yahoo.com.