Temporospatial Alterations in Upper-Limb and Mallet Control Underlie Motor Learning in Marimba Performance

Abstract

Sound-producing movements in percussion performance require a high degree of fine motor control. However, there remains a relatively limited empirical understanding of how performance level abilities develop in percussion performance in general, and marimba performance specifically. To address this issue, nine percussionists performed individualised excerpts on marimba within three testing sessions spaced 29 days apart to assess early, intermediate, and late stages of motor learning. Motor learning was quantified via analyses of both the temporal control of mallet movements, and the spatial variability of upper-limb movements. The results showed that temporal control of mallet movements was greater in the intermediate compared to the early learning session, with no significant additional improvements revealed in the late learning session. In addition, spatial variability in the left and right elbows decreased within the intermediate compared to the early learning session. The results suggest that temporal control of mallet movements may be driven by reductions in spatial variability of elbow movements specifically. As a result, this study provides novel evidence for kinematic mechanisms underlying motor learning in percussion which can be applied towards enhancing musical training.

Please unmute your microphone: Comparing the effectiveness of remote versus in-person percussion training

“…As predicted, increases in average mallet height were found post-training. It was also predicted that kinematic changes in the upper limbs such as changes in upper limb velocity would affect participants’ mallet movements (e.g., Loria, Teich et al, 2022 ). Again, as predicted, increases in the spatial and velocity variability of the movements of participants’ elbows and wrists were found regardless of condition.…”

“…Based on the available literature, we predicted (1) that training would alter participants’ mallet trajectories along the vertical Z -axis (see Beveridge et al, 2020 ; Dahl, 2000 , 2004 ; Dahl & Altenmüller, 2008 ). Based on the finding that kinematic changes in the elbow and wrist affected marimbists’ mallet movements ( Loria, Tan, et al, 2022 ; Loria, Teich, et al, 2022 ), we also predicted (2) that kinematic changes in the upper limbs such as changes in upper limb velocity would affect percussionists’ mallet movements when playing the multi-percussion setup used in the present study. We expected that these modified movements would influence judges’ ratings of the expressivity of legato and perceived performance quality, as well as participants’ subjective reports of the training they had received and their interest in continuing with it.…”

“…The mean position and mean velocity of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, and mallets were obtained across the pre- and post-training trials (see Figure 2 ). The standard deviations of these data were also obtained to assess changes in spatial and velocity variability over time (for a previously published example see Loria, Tan, et al, 2022 ; Loria, Teich, et al, 2022 ).…”

“…To compare the effects of training in the two formats (i.e., remote vs in person), movements of the upper limbs and mallets were analyzed using mixed-model analyses of variance (ANOVAs) with time (pre-training vs post-training) as the within-participants factor and condition (remote vs in-person instructor) as the between-participants factor. Separate mixed-model ANOVAs were conducted for mean spatial position, mean spatial variability, mean velocity, and mean velocity variability for the left and right shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, and mallets along the vertical Z -axis (see Loria, Tan, et al, 2022 ; Loria, Teich, et al, 2022 ). Separate mixed-model ANOVAs were also conducted for expressivity of legato and overall performance quality.…”