The impact of a standardized vocal loading test on vocal fold oscillations

Introduction Vocal loading capacity is an important aspect of vocal health and is measured using standardized vocal loading tests. However, it remains unclear how vocal fold oscillation patterns are influenced by a standardized vocal loading task. Methods 21 (10 male, 11 female) vocally healthy subjects were analyzed concerning the dysphonia severity index (DSI) and high speed videolaryngoscopy (HSV) on the vowel /i/ at a comfortable pitch and loudness before and after a standardized vocal loading test (10 min standardized text reading, at a level higher than 80 dB (A) measured at 30 cm from the mouth). Results Changes in DSI were statistically significant, diminishing by 1.2 points after the vocal loading test, which was mainly caused by an increase of the minimum intensity. However, the pre-post comparison of HSV derived measures failed to show any statistically significant changes. Conclusion It seems necessary to analyze the effects of a standardized vocal loading test on vocal fold oscillation patterns with respect to softest phonation and phonation threshold pressure rather than comfortable pitch and loudness.Level of evidenc

The role of retrospectively perceived parenting style and adult attachment behaviour in music performance anxiety

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Ancillary and instrumental body movements during inhalation in clarinetists

BackgroundPlaying a musical instrument requires physical movements that are involved in sound production and movements with more expressive and communicative characteristics. Both movements co-occur during a performance; however, the interaction between the movements is still unclear.MethodsUsing motion capture technology, the movement patterns of clarinetists were analyzed at certain points in a performance to investigate how instrumental and ancillary movements interplay. Movements in the arms and knees of clarinetists during a performance were recorded using this technology. The mean angular movements at specific points in the piece, where some players inhaled and others did not, were compared.ResultsWhile the players who inhaled adopted significantly more upright body and neutral arm positions, the players who did not inhale seemed less interrupted in their performance. The results showed that the players performed rather individual ancillary movements, but at specific points, such as during melodic transitions, they performed similarly. At certain points in the melody, while some players needed to inhale, others adjusted their playing according to the inhalation moment to adopt a suitable body position.DiscussionThe ancillary movement was consequently interrupted by the physiological necessity to inhale. The findings provide more insights into the interplay of instrumental and ancillary movements during a performance

Dispositional and performance-specific music performance anxiety in young amateur musicians

IntroductionResearch on Music Performance Anxiety (MPA) among amateur musicians is of great interest due to inconsistent results in literature. In addition, amateur music represents an important part of musical culture in Germany. Accordingly, the performance experiences of young wind players represent a relevant issue for research and musical practice.MethodsIn the present study, 67 young amateur musicians of a brass choir were examined. Using two different questionnaires, both the dispositional MPA (K-MPAI) and the performance-specific MPA during a joint concert (Performance-specific Questionnaire for Musicians, PQM) were assessed. The PQM measures the symptoms of MPA, functional coping with MPA and self-efficacy before, during and after a specific performance. The PQM was completed by the musicians via an app directly after the concert.ResultsResults showed that about 90% of the young amateur musicians had a low dispositional MPA, but about 10% showed high values. For the concrete performance, however, musicians with high dispositional MPA also experienced a very moderate to low MPA in the concert. On average, the musicians were quite nervous before the performance. After the performance, they showed low levels of MPA. Three types of MPA found in previous studies could be confirmed among the amateur musicians, with three quarters being assigned to the positive type, showing low levels of symptoms associated with consistently high levels of self-efficacy and positive functional coping.DiscussionThe results provide a differentiated picture of different expressions of MPA in young amateur musicians. They also raise further questions about the correlation between dispositional and performance-specific assessment of MPA in musicians in general

The impact of a standardized vocal loading test on vocal fold oscillations

Abstract Introduction Vocal loading capacity is an important aspect of vocal health and is measured using standardized vocal loading tests. However, it remains unclear how vocal fold oscillation patterns are influenced by a standardized vocal loading task. Methods 21 (10 male, 11 female) vocally healthy subjects were analyzed concerning the dysphonia severity index (DSI) and high speed videolaryngoscopy (HSV) on the vowel /i/ at a comfortable pitch and loudness before and after a standardized vocal loading test (10 min standardized text reading, at a level higher than 80 dB (A) measured at 30 cm from the mouth). Results Changes in DSI were statistically significant, diminishing by 1.2 points after the vocal loading test, which was mainly caused by an increase of the minimum intensity. However, the pre-post comparison of HSV derived measures failed to show any statistically significant changes. Conclusion It seems necessary to analyze the effects of a standardized vocal loading test on vocal fold oscillation patterns with respect to softest phonation and phonation threshold pressure rather than comfortable pitch and loudness. Level of evidence 2

„Die Lücke schließen zwischen Unterricht und Musizierpraxis“ – eine qualitative Studie zur Evaluation spezifischer pädagogischer Elemente im Bereich körperorientierter Gesundheitsförderung und Prävention bei Musikstudierenden

Angestoßen durch empirische Vorbefunde, die eine Diskrepanz zwischen der Inanspruchnahme präventiver Lehrangebote im Musikstudium und der Anwendung dieser Inhalte in der Musizierpraxis der Studierenden vermuten lassen, wurden ergänzende pädagogische Elemente eines Unterrichtskonzepts entwickelt und erprobt, um Studierende darin zu unterstützen, im Seminar erlernte körperorientierte und mentale Ansätze insbesondere in der Musizierpraxis außerhalb des Seminars anzuwenden. Übergeordnete Ziele dieser Lerninhalte sind die Gesundheitsförderung und Prävention spielbezogener Beschwerden sowie die Verbesserung des Singens und Instrumentalspiels. Als neue pädagogische Elemente wurden unter Supervision einer Dozentin die Intersession-Prozesse zwischen den Seminarstunden im Gespräch mit den Studierenden in den Fokus genommen und in Lernportfolios und Wochenprotokollen von den Studierenden festgehalten. Das Üben der Studierenden wurde durch einen Übebesuch mit konstruktiven Empfehlungen für ein effektives und gesundes Üben unterstützt. Das Element des Übebesuchs wurde von den Studierenden durchweg sehr positiv angenommen und als hilfreich erlebt. In einer katamnestischen Befragung zeigte sich in den Angaben der Studierenden eine hohe Nachhaltigkeit hinsichtlich der weiteren Anwendung der im Seminar erlernten Inhalte

Effects of a conservative in-patient voice treatment on the voice-related self-concept

Purpose!#!Observational study to determine if the voice-related self-concept as measured via the Fragebogen zur Erfassung des Stimmlichen Selbstkonzepts FESS (questionnaire for the assessment of the voice self-concept) can be improved through in-patient voice therapy.!##!Methods!#!234 female and 80 male patients that underwent an intensive 3- to 4-week in-patient voice treatment due to varying types of dysphonia. After imputation of missing items but not missing questionnaires, 255 patients were eligible for FESS evaluation, 313 for VHI-12 evaluation. The German questionnaire for the assessment of the voice self-concept (FESS) and the German 12-item short-form of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI-12) were administered at the beginning and at the end of the hospital stay. Before-after comparisons are made visually and via t test.!##!Results!#!The Voice Handicap was significantly reduced, demonstrating the effectiveness of the administered therapy. Of the three scales of the FESS, the relationship with one's own voice and the awareness of the use of one's own voice was increased and thus improved. The connection between voice and emotional changes decreased significantly but only slightly.!##!Conclusion!#!Conservative voice rehabilitation can not only reduce the voice handicap, but also improve the voice self-concept and the results can be measured

The role of retrospectively perceived parenting style and adult attachment behaviour in music performance anxiety

This study aimed to examine the extent to which music performance anxiety (MPA) relates to retrospectively perceived parenting style and adult attachment behaviour. Participants were 82 music students (M=23.5 years, SD=3.4) with the majority being vocal (30.5%), string (24.4%), or piano (19.5%) students having about twenty performance opportunities per year each. MPA was assessed using the German version of the Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory (K-MPAI). Parenting style was measured by retrospective self-report using the German version of the Measure of Parenting Style (MOPS); Adult attachment behaviour by the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ) based on Bartholomew's four category model. Furthermore, general anxiety-related symptoms were assessed by the Disorder-Specific- Severity Measure (GAD). Canonical and partial canonical correlation analyses were used to measure the dependence between multi-dimensional constructs. Both parenting style and adult attachment behaviour were related to MPA as measured by a performance-related sub-scale of the K-MPAI (r=0.45, p=0.01 and r=0.37, p=0.02, respectively). Partial canonical correlation, however, showed no significant relations between MPA and parenting style or attachment in conditioned models. A strong link of MPA and generalised anxiety was found in all analyses. This study expands on more theoretical research in this area and provides first empirical insight into this complex multi-dimensional relationship