The Structure and Movement of Clarinet Playing D.M.A
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The Structure and Movement of Clarinet Playing D.M.A. DOCUMENT Presented in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Musical Arts in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Sheri Lynn Rolf, M.D. Graduate Program in Music The Ohio State University 2018 D.M.A. Document Committee: Dr. Caroline A. Hartig, Chair Dr. David Hedgecoth Professor Katherine Borst Jones Dr. Scott McCoy Copyrighted by Sheri Lynn Rolf, M.D. 2018 Abstract The clarinet is a complex instrument that blends wood, metal, and air to create some of the world’s most beautiful sounds. Its most intricate component, however, is the human who is playing it. While the clarinet has 24 tone holes and 17 or 18 keys, the human body has 205 bones, around 700 muscles, and nearly 45 miles of nerves. A seemingly endless number of exercises and etudes are available to improve technique, but almost no one comments on how to best use the body in order to utilize these studies to maximum effect while preventing injury. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the interactions of the clarinet with the body of the person playing it. Emphasis will be placed upon the musculoskeletal system, recognizing that playing the clarinet is an activity that ultimately involves the entire body. Aspects of the skeletal system as they relate to playing the clarinet will be described, beginning with the axial skeleton. The extremities and their musculoskeletal relationships to the clarinet will then be discussed. The muscles responsible for the fine coordinated movements required for successful performance on the clarinet will be described. With this information in mind, methods of maximizing the use and coordination of the body while playing the instrument will be presented. It will be shown that efficient use of the body not only contributes to ease of playing the clarinet but also minimizes the risk of injury. ii Acknowledgments A mere “Thank You” seems insufficient to express the gratitude I would like to express to those who have participated in my odyssey. My Committee members at The Ohio State University School of Music deserve special recognition. Dr. Caroline Hartig, Dr. David Hedgecoth, Professor Katherine Borst Jones, and Dr. Scott McCoy have all been sources of support and encouragement. Dr. Hartig, as my teacher and advisor, merits special recognition for the role that she has played during my study at OSU. Not only has she guided me to a higher level of clarinetistry, she has also led me through a seemingly endless labyrinth of paperwork, academic requirements, and deadlines. Thank you, Dr. Hartig! A special word of thanks is extended to Professor Dale Beaver for introducing me to the Alexander Technique. This is a program that should be included in every school of music. Thank you, Dale for teaching me the real meanings of balance and poise. To Dr. William H. Saunders and Dr. David E. Schuller who served as my mentors during my residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at The Ohio State University, thank you for setting such high standards. I am especially thankful for all the patients who have granted me the privilege of participating in their care. Most of all, I want to thank my husband, Bradley J. Finn. As my soul mate, he has been my GPS for this journey. For his love, his encouragement, and his profound understanding of what music and playing the clarinet mean to me, I am eternally grateful. Brad, I love you! iii Vita 1971.............................. Campbell County High School 1975.............................. B.M. Applied Clarinet, University of Louisville 1978.............................. B.S. Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky State University 1981.............................. M.D. University of Louisville 2014.............................. M.M. Clarinet Performance, University of Montana Publications Kern, J. A., Milbrandt, T. A., Rolf, S., & Tribble, C. G. (1997). Resection of multiple mediastinal paragangliomas with cardiopulmonary bypass. The Annals Of Thoracic Surgery, 64(6), 1824-1826. Rolf, S.L. Confessions of a horse clinic junkie. (1998) American Cowboy, 66-67. Rolf, S.L. The legend of Tack Crawford’s saddle. (2003) Montana Magazine, 177, 85-87. Rolf, S. L., Kratz, R. C., Tanner, G. R., & Crissman, J. (1980). Primary lymphoma of the thyroid and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The Journal Of The Kentucky Medical Association, 78(5), 263-266. Rolf, S. L., Reed, S. M., Melnick, W., & Andrews, F. M. (1987). Auditory brain stem response testing in anesthetized horses. American Journal Of Veterinary Research, 48(6), 910-914. Fields of Study Major Field: Music iv Table of Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments......................................................................................................... iii Vita ................................................................................................................................ iv Publications ................................................................................................................... iv Fields of Study .............................................................................................................. iv Table of Contents ........................................................................................................... v List of Figures ............................................................................................................. viii Chapter 1: Introduction .................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 2: The Skeletal System ..................................................................................... 5 The Axial Skeleton .................................................................................................... 5 The Spine ................................................................................................................... 6 The Thoracic Spine and Rib Cage ........................................................................... 16 The Lumbar Spine ................................................................................................... 19 The Sacrum and Coccyx .......................................................................................... 22 The Skull .................................................................................................................. 25 The Mandible ........................................................................................................... 30 The Hyoid ................................................................................................................ 32 The Upper Extremities ............................................................................................. 33 The Shoulder Complex ............................................................................................ 34 The Wrist and Hand ................................................................................................. 43 The Pelvis ................................................................................................................ 52 Chapter 3: The Muscular System ................................................................................. 58 Muscle Structure and Function ................................................................................ 58 Muscles of the Embouchure .................................................................................... 61 The Muscles of Mastication ..................................................................................... 65 The Tongue .............................................................................................................. 68 Muscles of the Palate and Pharynx .......................................................................... 71 Suprahyoid and Infrahyoid Muscles ........................................................................ 73 Muscles of the Neck ................................................................................................ 75 v Muscles of the Shoulder .......................................................................................... 79 Muscles of the Elbow .............................................................................................. 81 Muscles of the Wrist and Hand ................................................................................ 84 The Thorax and the Muscles of Respiration ............................................................ 89 Chapter 4: Posture ...................................................................................................... 101 The Alexander Technique ...................................................................................... 114 Feldenkrais Method ............................................................................................... 115 Pilates ..................................................................................................................... 116 Yoga ....................................................................................................................... 116 Rolfing ................................................................................................................... 117 Body Mapping ....................................................................................................... 117 Posture of the Head and Neck ...............................................................................