“Real Time Biomechanical Data During Trumpet Performance”
Joel Treybig, reporter
Presented in an effort to educate the trumpet community and foster an understanding of mouthpiece force amongst trumpeters, Kris Chesky’s lecture made understandable a great deal of recent data that has been gathered on the subject. This recent data is of particular interest due to the fact that many earlier studies collected data with older, less reliable methods. Chesky’s study compared the results of trials done with 23 test subjects, and measured not only force, but also differing types of force in hopes of gaining a greater understanding of the effects of pressure and the potential problems that may arise in players. Chesky was joined by Keith Jourdan, a Dallas area trumpeter, to provide live data to help the audience understand the study data that was presented in his powerpoint presentation.
The presentation included graphs that illustrated some points very clearly. In examining the forces that act upon the body while playing, the study indicated that there is generally in increase in force as there is an increase in range, and that the force used to produce a note is the same for the players, regardless of how pitches are approached (tongued, slurred, step, arpeggio, etc.). The study also indicated that there is a slight decrease in force as dynamic levels decrease, and that there is an increase in force (but not volume) as players approached the limit of their upper register. These and other facts, once known and understood by players, could ultimately help them learn to play more efficiently, surely the goal of the physical side of any type of performance.
Also of interest and importance is the fact that this research is quite detailed, and measures shear vertical force (variations in up/down force on the embouchure) and shear horizontal force (variations in side to side force), and variations in horn angle. All of this data will be most helpful as Chesky and his colleagues continue to examine these results and help to determine which players may be at greater risk of injury, as well as what pedagogues can do to help reduce risk-causing techniques in their students’ playing. While Chesky concluded by stating that this data is simply the tip of the research iceberg, we are further along the road to understanding such information and how to better use what we now know.
