Contributions of archery to violin performance through biokinetic approach

Abstract

Each musical instrument requires holding it in a certain position suitable for its own structure. Violin position has an unnatural lateral position by holding the violin facing left between the shoulder and chin. Understanding the bow arm is fundamental for violinists to generate a personal expression and impressive sound. Since the violin is caused by repetitive movements specific to its practice, it subsequently leads to nerve entrapment syndromes and muscular injuries. Today, violinists are asked to produce a wider variety of tones and dynamics than ever before. Modification and progress of bows and strings, the demands of composers, and the dynamic capacity of today's concert halls make difficulties and high pressure for modern violin techniques. Consequently, a greater ingenuity of music and body is required more than ever before. In addition, a change in the repertoire is also a risk factor. The repertoire is considered a critical parameter concerning the levels of force and pressure generated during the performance, interacting with the accessories added to the instrument, such as the chin rest. However, the most effective risk factor is related to increased instrument use times and rehearsal times. For this reason, especially the part related to the movement system 'functional anatomy', kinesiology, biomechanics issues need to be addressed and instructed. In order not to cause functional deficiencies frequently and to make music more efficient, the importance given to various physical methods performed without instruments should be equalized with exercises on the instrument in education and career. In this sense, there are some accepted methods and sports in musicians' lives such as; cardio method, post-isometric relaxation techniques, swimming, jogging, yoga, Tai Chi, pilates-reformer, martial arts, Mitchell method, Feldenkrais technique, Alexander technique, endurance exercises, PNF. Instrumentalists rarely describe what they do using movement and the definition of movement means that generally only for enhancing stage attendance and reducing pain. Violinists' warm-up usually consists of scales, double-stop exercises, and bow exercises. One of the major shortcomings in the instrument training process is that the player practices without fully knowing, paying attention to, and developing the physiological functioning and capacity of the performance. Movement and coordination are largely ignored until an injury occurs. For this reason, professional violinists should be trained with awareness to consider participating in sports or an activity that improves their alertness, agility, and coordination, and generally increases muscle tone. Compared to the physical activity of violinists, archery is one the most suitable sports for violinists. Both archers and violinists use the tonic reflex. The tonic reflex is about making the body's extension and retraction movements when the head is turned to one side of the body. The greater the upper body force, the easier it will be to turn the head in the direction of the shifter. Archery is a sport that uses a very similar movement and general coordination, closely set up, and many of the same muscle groups that violinists use. In addition, both archery and violin performance are art that demands patience, balance, physical, mental health, and discipline. Yet another benefit is that archers use a complementary set of muscles to those used in string playing. Archery, which is one of the non-musical techniques to improve freedom, posture, and balance also holds additional advantages for violinists such as it broadens the shoulders, is a stress-relieving activity, and the method of preparing for a concert or an archery competition is similar. In this thesis, the technical characteristics of archery were studied and examined only mentioning anatomical points. It has been investigated how archery techniques can contribute to violin performance.