University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Trumpet embouchure injuries: Restructuring practice habits for a longer and healthier career

Solomon, Kayla Olenka

Content Files
SOLOMON-DISSERTATION-2023.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/120279

Description

Title
Trumpet embouchure injuries: Restructuring practice habits for a longer and healthier career
Author(s)
Solomon, Kayla Olenka
Issue Date
2023-04-18
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Gilreath, Amy
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Carrillo, Teofilo
Committee Member(s)
  • Carrillo, Carlos
  • Romm, Ronald
Department of Study
Music
Discipline
Music
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
A.Mus.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • trumpet
  • embouchure
  • music injury
Abstract
This dissertation presents information for trumpet players and teachers to use to better understand the symptoms, causes, and recovery of overuse embouchure injuries. In addition, it provides accessible injury prevention tools for trumpet players to include in their daily lives. When it comes to embouchure injury, it must be noted that the body is composed of various networks and misalignments in one area can affect other areas. This dissertation focuses in particular on the psychological and musculoskeletal systems and how they can be impacted by overuse injury. Three main methods were used for this research: surveys, interviews, and comparison of performing arts and athletic medicine texts. There are many similarities between musicians and athletes, and by drawing on injury prevention information from athletics, we can then apply similar approaches for musicians. One of the biggest contributing factors to overuse embouchure injuries in trumpet players is inappropriate time management. However, since there are many other variables that can affect the likelihood of an overuse injury occurring and no person’s body is identical, the approach to injury prevention and recovery looks different for everyone. This dissertation serves as a starting point for trumpet players and educators who are interested in injury prevention. While injuries among musicians are common, the education and support that musicians receive is much less in proportion to what athletes experience. Through additional research and inclusion of injury prevention resources in the regular teaching curriculum, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of overuse embouchure injuries among trumpet players.
Graduation Semester
2023-05
Type of Resource
Thesis
Handle URL
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/120279
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2023 Kayla Solomon

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