The use of fine-wire EMG to investigate the kinematics of cello bowing: The results of a pilot study

The mechanics of music making is important both in preventing injuries and in guiding how music is performed and taught. Electromyography (EMG) measures muscle activity patterns and has been shown to be a useful resource in understanding the loads involved in instrumental playing; however, only a small number of projects have been undertaken, and little is understood on the muscle activity used during string bowing. This project used a combination of fine-wire and surface EMG to evaluate the muscular load placed on the shoulder of a professional orchestral cellist playing a set of bowing exercises. The results indicated that EMG was useful in measuring shoulder load and that fine-wire electrodes did not interfere with normal playing technique. Different bowing techniques produced statistically different levels of muscle contractions, with the supraspinatus muscle in particular maintaining significantly higher levels of contraction during all bowing patterns.