This dissertation examines the effects of specific Timani exercises on sitting posture,
ease of playing, physical discomfort, and performance in professional violinists, and
explores participants’ experiences of the intervention. As playing-related problems
are common among musicians, especially violinists, it is vital to find adequate
methods to treat their underlying causes. Current strategies, for the most part, are
not proficient, lacking high-quality evidence to support their effectiveness. A recent
study found that Timani, a somatic method for musicians that combines expertise in
functional body mechanics as well as music performance, can have beneficial effects
on physical outcomes and performance quality. Building on this exploratory study,
the current research takes a more detailed look at specific Timani exercises,
adopting a multi-strategy methodology including both self-report and observational
data. A mixed, true-experimental, repeated-measures design was employed,
randomising 19 participants into either the Timani or control group. Both groups
received an hour-long intervention, aiming to improve sitting stability and posture as
well as ease and comfort in playing. Surveys were used to collect quantitative
self-report data, pre and post intervention, as well as qualitative feedback from the
Timani participants, both after the intervention and after a seven-day follow-up
period. In addition, recordings from before and after the intervention were rated on
postural and performance quality by six external evaluators. Although no significant
effects were found in the small sample of this study, the quantitative data revealed
clear trends, illustrated by medium and large effect sizes, suggesting that the
exercises might have positive effects on seated playing posture, ease of playing,
physical discomfort, and self-reported performance. These trends will need to be
investigated in a study with a larger sample. Furthermore, findings from the
qualitative data showed that participants experienced the Timani exercises as
interesting and relevant to their playing, as they had positive effects on musical and
physical outcomes, and increased their understanding of playing-related body
mechanics and anatomy. Within the one-hour Timani session, they learnt the
exercises well enough for them to be effective when done at home without the
teacher, with participants reporting a positive impact on multiple levels of their
playing after the seven-day follow-up. The perceived relevance and relatively
immediate impact on performance and musculoskeletal health might contribute to
continued engagement with the exercises over time, with potential implications for
the prevention and reduction of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders. The
long-term impact of Timani would need to be investigated in future, longitudinal
studies.
Elvira van Groningen, August 2024
Comments