2. Biomechanics of Playing the Piano: Katie Tobik
2.1 Introduction to the Piano The piano is technically an acoustic stringed instrument. It has 88 keys and has a pitch range from A0 to C8. When a key is depressed, it allows a padded tiny hammer to strike a string creating a pitch.
2.1a Basic Mechanism of Playing
The piano requires great dexterity and muscle control in the fingers when played at a high level. There are 27 bones and 36 muscles involved in the movement of each hand. This creates a complex biomechanics problem to solve because of a large number of degrees of freedom. (Furuya) When striking a key, a force is generated from the fingertip to the piano key in order to depress it. (Minetti) There is an initial force when …show more content…
This creates what is known as “reaction force torque.” This caused the muscles to create “joint torque.” This is counteracted by the forces due to parts of the upper limb, such as the wrist and shoulder. A professional pianist will rotate their shoulder (change their posture), which will lower the reaction force torque. Also, the finger joints will rotate to allow for the movement to play the piano. This rotational force is a result of a combination of gravity, inter-segmental dynamics, muscular contraction, and mechanical interactive force. (Furuya)
2.2 Variations in Forces Due to Musical Playing
Research has shown that playing the same passage at a faster tempo (speed) requires greater force than a slower paced tempo.(Minetti) This motion generates predominantly from the elbow and results in less movement of the upper arm, creating greater tension in the muscles.(Aoki) In addition, playing at a louder dynamic (greater intensity) requires more force. The average initial force of a professional musician, measured using an f-scan sensor—matrix—foil under the white keys of the piano, was 6N when playing loudly. Yet, only 0.6 N of force is actually needed to depress the key. (Parlitz) This residual force when striking the key with more force than necessary creates what is known as endpoint redundancy. This means there were multiple magnitudes of force that can generate the same