Special performing problems of female musicians: Three case studies

Issue title: Performing Artists, Part 2

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Wörz-Bilfinger, D.

Affiliations: Engelfriedshalde 50, Tübingen, Germany

Abstract: Female instrumentalists can encounter serious performing problems because of their physiology that is not regarded as being significant in medical terms, but which nevertheless may seriously hinder or even prevent them from playing their instruments. Music-related medical advice is based on fundamental medical procedures, and includes taking a detailed case history, instrumental biography and, above all, player observation. Three case studies from a medical information center for professional and lay musicians show the importance of gender-specific problems in female musicians: A pianist with "pseudo short-arm syndrome" due to circumference of the abdomen as a result of pregnancy; a violinist with pain in the shoulder girdle due to heavy mammae; and a young oboist with "pseudo breathing- problems" during menstruation.

Keywords: Music medicine, gender-specific problems, player observation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1241

Journal: Work, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 33-36, 2012