Revue Médecine des Arts N°96 The pianist's health - The dancer's health

The performance is also in the auditorium and among the spectators. My first experience of a live musical performance was at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg,’ Stravinsky (then aged seven or eight) recounts.... I was stunned by the spectacle of the theatre itself and of the audience...

Find out more in issue 96 ...

Piano accompanists work in a wide variety of professional contexts. This qualitative study based on semi-directive interviews was conducted to explore the world of these musicians in relation to their health. Fourteen piano accompanists were interviewed (8 women and 6 men), with an average age of 45 (10 of them between 30 and 50). Eleven accompany singers, 7 accompany choirs, 5 accompany instrumentalists, 4 accompany dancers, and 2 play 4-handed. Most have civil servant or salaried status, and some combine several part-time statuses. They were questioned about their working conditions: workplaces, daily commutes, sound and visual environment, perception of workload, etc., as well as their physical and psychological condition and health.

For piano accompanists, the difficulties of their profession are largely offset by their passion for a job they find stimulating. Musculoskeletal disorders are common, but accompanists usually attribute them to causes other than their musical practice. They do, however, point to risky practices such as accompanying dancers or 4-handed playing. All wear optical corrections, and visual aspects are very important to them. They are aware of the risk of hearing damage, especially traumatic damage, but do not wear hearing protection, despite the preventive measures taken by some institutions. They report many stressful situations.

The specific musical, technical, cognitive and interpersonal skills of accompanying pianists, as well as their working conditions, may have an impact on their health. These specificities should be taken into account by their partners, the music establishments and their caregivers.

Key words: piano accompanist; pianist; health; working conditions; interview

Music-related musculoskeletal disorders in pianists: prevalence and risk factors

International studies of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) in pianists show a high prevalence that varies according to the criteria chosen. Knowledge of PRMDs in a population of musicians makes it possible to analyze risk factors, which is a prerequisite for any preventive action.

The anatomical sites affected by PRMDs in pianists are analyzed. In order to avoid these disorders and especially the transition to chronicity, music teachers and musicians need to be aware of pain. PRMDs in pianists are also considered in relation to gender, age, gender and age, hand size, technique and playing time. The psychological dimension is also an important factor that should not be overlooked, given the interrelationship between the psychological and physical dimensions.

Prospective studies in the future would make it possible to study the risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders in pianists in greater depth, in order to develop targeted and specific preventive programs.

Key words: pianist; playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs); prevalence; risk factors; prevention.

Pianists‘ health: Rhizarthrosis in pianists, agenesis of the extensor pollicis brevis in pianists, hyperlaxity and hypermobility in pianists are covered in this dossier on pianists’ health.

Nutritional intake and energy expenditure in dance, Eating disorders in dancers, Psychological aspects of eating behaviour in dancers, Depression, anxiety and eating disorders in professional dancers, The motivational climate and its impact on the health of ballet dancers, Low back pain and sciatica in ballet dancers, Foot and ankle injuries in ballet dancers, Morning or evening training: What influence on dancers' sleep, Low back pain in dancers, Dental occlusion and neuromuscular behaviour in classical dancers, Multimodal sensory integration and recovery of trained motor patterns for body coordination in musicians and dancers, The mechanisms of groove. All the scientific articles covered in this dossier 

In childhood, all musicians, whatever their subsequent career choice, develop strong skills, but some use them to reinforce their autonomy and get ahead, whereas the musician who enjoys having a better level than others from a very early age remains attached to external factors such as comparing performance levels with others. 

Numerous testimonials from artists about their artistic practice, whether musician, singer, actor or dancer. They reveal how they live their lives as artists.