EMG BIOFEEDBACK OF THE ABDUCTOR POLLICIS BREVIS IN PIANO PERFORMANCE

The aim of the present study was to apply EMG biofeedback as an auxili ary to piano teaching techniques. We studied the changes in integrated electromyographic activity, using the abductor pollicis brevis functi oning as an agonist during the teaching of identical selective movemen ts of piano playing in two groups, one with EMG biofeedback and the ot her following traditional method of instruction. The analysis of varia nce revealed an increase in the peak amplitude and the relaxation rate values for the biofeedback group. These results have implications for the application of piano playing techniques and reveal EMG biofeedbac k as an aid in the teaching of thumb attack with the abductor pollicis brevis as agonist.