A physiological evaluation of the efficiency of playing the wind instruments – an aerodynamic study

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Authors

  • Zygmunt PAWŁOWSKI Phoniatry Department, Frederic Chopin Music Academy, Poland
  • Marek ŻÓŁTOWSKI Phoniatry Department, Frederic Chopin Music Academy, Poland

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to present mean values of particular aerodynamic parameters to determine the physiological standard of playing. The authors applied the aerodynamic method in examinations of musicians playing the orchestral wind instruments. Direct results of the measurements for each person were the following quantities: the pressure before the instrument inlet (SP), the mean air flow rate (MFR) through the mouthpiece or the reed, and the play time (MPT). On the basis of these quantities, the lips or reed resistance (GR), the expiration power (EP) and the work performed during playing (5) were calculated. The measured results were so elaborated that the measured results were calculated separately for those persons for whom the play time was no less than the mean time of persons playing the same instrument. For such a division of the examined persons, the mean values of the aerodynamic parameters were calculated. The efficiency of playing is essentially affected by the value of the lips or reed resistance (GR).

References

[1] A. MURAS, Analysis of respiration in musicians playing the wind instruments by the aerodynamic method, (in Polish). Medical Academy (1981). Doctor's thesis.

[2] Z. PAWŁOWSKI, K. ORLOWSKA, Examination of the respiratory organ in musicians playing the wind instruments. (in Polish), Otolaryngologia Polska, 24, 4, 433 441 (1970).

[3] Z. PAWŁOWSKI, M. ŻÓŁTOWSKI, Fundamental aspects of aeroacoustics in singing, (in Polish), Archiwum Akustyki, 17, 3-4, 265-282 (1982).

[4] Z. PAWŁOWSKI, M. ZÓŁTOWSKI, Fundamental aspects of aeroacoustics in singing, Archives of Acoustics, 7, 3- 4, 207-224, (1982).

[5] Z. PAWŁOWSKI, M. ŻÓŁTOWSKI, Chosen problems of the aerodynamics of playing the wind instruments, Archives of Acoustics, 10, 3, 215-228 (1985).