Biographic and behavioral factors are associated with music-related motor skills in children pianists.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Biographic and behavioral factors are associated with music-related motor skills in children pianists.
Authors: Spector, June T.1,2 spectj@u.washington.edu, Yong, Raymond3 raymond@raymondyong.com, Altenmüller, Eckart3 eckart.altenmueller@hmtm-hannover.de, Jabusch, Hans-Christian4 jabusch@hfmdd.de
Source: Human Movement Science. Oct2014, Vol. 37, p157-166. 10p.
Subjects: Motor ability, Music psychology, Child psychology, Pianists, Sensorimotor cortex, Human mechanics
Abstract: This study aimed to identify biographical and behavioral factors associated with children pianists’ motor skills using an objective assessment of a music-relevant motor task. Motor skills at the piano were assessed in 30 children pianists by measuring temporal unevenness in standardized scale playing using musical instrument digital interface (MIDI)-based scale analysis. Questionnaires were used to collect detailed information about the amount of time playing the piano, practice characteristics, attitudes toward music and practice, and the environment of music and practice. Associations between performance values and variables from the questionnaire were investigated using multivariable linear regression. A higher number of years playing the piano, more frequent parental involvement in the child’s practice, more frequent practice of technical exercises, and greater enjoyment of practice and of the visual arts were associated with better motor performance. In addition to cumulative experience and aspects of practice, extrinsic motivational factors (e.g., parental interest) and intrinsic motivational factors (e.g., an artistic disposition) were associated with better performance on a musically-relevant motor task in children pianists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
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Abstract:This study aimed to identify biographical and behavioral factors associated with children pianists’ motor skills using an objective assessment of a music-relevant motor task. Motor skills at the piano were assessed in 30 children pianists by measuring temporal unevenness in standardized scale playing using musical instrument digital interface (MIDI)-based scale analysis. Questionnaires were used to collect detailed information about the amount of time playing the piano, practice characteristics, attitudes toward music and practice, and the environment of music and practice. Associations between performance values and variables from the questionnaire were investigated using multivariable linear regression. A higher number of years playing the piano, more frequent parental involvement in the child’s practice, more frequent practice of technical exercises, and greater enjoyment of practice and of the visual arts were associated with better motor performance. In addition to cumulative experience and aspects of practice, extrinsic motivational factors (e.g., parental interest) and intrinsic motivational factors (e.g., an artistic disposition) were associated with better performance on a musically-relevant motor task in children pianists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:01679457
DOI:10.1016/j.humov.2014.06.007