Micah Muldowney and Professor Lawrence Green, College of Fine Arts and Communication
The benefits of a thorough study and understanding of the physiological principles behind any demanding task are obvious: It results in greater efficiency. This especially holds true in fields or activities that require extreme accuracy or attention to nuance. The musical world in general has for many years appreciated the value of this sort of physiological study, knowing that a more physiologically correct technique not only increases ease and accuracy, it reduces the risk of certain injuries commonly acquired through prolonged incorrect repetition. Unfortunately, the world of classical guitar has only just been mainstreamed in the musical conservatory in the last half of the century. As a result, there is very little reliable information of this kind readily available to the average classical guitarist. The point of my project was to research out and make available this information to a broader audience, thus helping to prevent the crippling effects of needless repetitive strain injuries (or RSI).
My project starts by looking at the various physiological roots of RSIs. RSIs are, by definition, the result of strain. There are, however, several species of strain that can be exhibited in incorrect classical guitar technique: There are various possible muscular and nervous strains First I explored strains caused by ignoring optimal joint and tendon alignment. Second, I investigated strains caused by using inappropriate muscle groups. Third, I investigated strains caused by inappropriate muscular tension and misappropriation of force, and last I explored strain caused by working against a constant force.
Every joint and ligament in our body has an optimal alignment, when the length of the tendon and ligament is in a state of repose, being neither contracted nor elongated. Ignoring this causes a host of problems over time, like tendon damage and inflammation. This inflammation, while painful within itself, can also cause nerve strain by pinching key nerves while they are restricted within enclosed spaces, like the medial nerve in the carpal tunnel in the wrist (resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome) or the ulnar nerve cubital tunnel of the elbow (resulting in cubital tunnel syndrome). Both of these common RSIs can be avoided in part by finding and using an optimal wrist and elbow position. These optimal attitudes of hand and wrist I treat with in detail in my essay.
The use of inappropriate and inefficient muscle groups causes much of the same problems as improper alignment. This most specifically applies in the movements of the hands and fingers within classical guitar technique. A common misconception is that we are to metacarpophalangeal joints (knuckles) in the attack of the right hand fingers and in the articulation of the left hand fingers. The rational behind this is that by using smaller muscle groups, your reduce strain. The problem with this is that in using the smaller joints we are actually using a larger set of muscles, specifically the extensor and flexor digitorum groups that run all the way from the elbow to the tips of the fingers from the cubital bone through the carpal tunnel. Inflammation of these groups through their use in both extension and flexion of the fingers can pinch either the nerves of the elbow (cubital tunnel sydrome) or the wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome). Further, the length of these combined with the relatively short length of the finger joints lends to lower efficiency, power, and accuracy: The length of the muscles makes precise articulation more difficult, and the shortness of smaller finger joints reducing leverage. The solution is to use the intrinsic lumbrical muscles located within the hand itself to use the larger fist knuckle, solving both problems.
The third problem is usually caused by the use of force greater than is necessary or neglecting to release tension in a muscle or tendon when it is no longer necessary. These problems do not stem from the disposition of the limbs so much as their carriage. In the case unreleased muscle tension, the problem occurs for a variety of reasons. It can be the result of a static disposition of the arms, hands or fingers that result in stiffness. The other end of the spectrum is looseness that leads to chronic tension in the muscles that have to overcompensate for this lapse. The answer to this is the idea of poise, which is the minimal stress carriage of any of the joints and muscles. The concept and direct application of poise is treated in detail in my essay. The remedy for excessive use of force is a practice regimen with exercises geared towards recognizing the feel of an appropriate amount of pressure.
The last cause of strain that I discussed is working against a constant force. This would mainly apply to gravitation. The correct attitude of the hands should take gravity into effect so as to use it to reduce their work loads, as opposed to increase it. This is mainly accomplished by the angle of the guitar fretboard, and the position of the right elbow, which is the fulcrum in the lever that decides whether the hand falls up or down. There is also some consideration that must be made in this area for the correct curvature of the left hand fingers, and the role that that plays in using gravity to apply pressure on the fretboard.
As a final note, in my interview with a practicing occupational therapist, he suggested that the greatest defense against RSIs is adequate rest. He suggested fifteen minutes of rest after every practice session of an hour as the most effective form of preventing RSIs.
The research and conclusions that resulted from it have been invaluable to myself. It has revolutionized the way that I effectively formulate my practice time, and the way that I make decisions on my interpretations. My hope is that after I have submitted the piece for publication it will render similar benefits and relief to other classical guitarists that have struggled with the same issues that I have struggled with. In any case, I know that it will benefit my own private students immensely.