Questions tagged [physiology]

Use this tag for questions relating to the bodily mechanics of playing an instrument. An effort should be made to distinguish [physiology] from [technique], though both tags may be appropriate in some cases.

Physiology is the science of life. It is the branch of biology that aims to understand the mechanisms of living things, from the basis of cell function at the ionic and molecular level to the integrated behaviour of the whole body and the influence of the external environment. (SOURCE: The Physiological Society)

Appropriate questions for this tag could relate to the use of one's hands to hold or manipulate an instrument; how to engage lips, larynx, or diaphragm when singing or playing a wind instrument; or how to coordinate movements of feet and hands/arms when playing a drum set.

An attempt should be made to distinguish questions of physiology from questions of technique. Although related, a reasonable rule of thumb (so to speak) is that physiology questions would lean more toward the interactions of anatomy within itself; whereas, technique questions would focus more toward the instrument.

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Does weight and/or body frame have anything to do with singing?

Does a small body frame (meaning small bones and possibly small organs) or low weight affect the "power" of a singing voice?? Does a higher weight creates some sort of "pressure" or something that makes the voice sound more powerful? Is a person…
Drago
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Well-known composers or piano pieces generally suitable for someone with small hands?

One of my struggles with playing the piano is that I have small hands. I can reach an octave - mostly. I can reach it, I just can't maneuver between octaves quickly. Often times a piece will have a running stretch of octaves that I am unable to…
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Causes of sharp pain in a fretting finger after playing guitar or bass?

I have been playing guitar and bass for about 20 years now and I have noticed that sometimes, particularly in the last five years, I will do something with my fretting hand that causes a sharp pain in the finger that leaves the tip very sensitive…
glenatron
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How to correctly position your larynx when singing?

I'm a beginner singer who wants to get it correctly. I've seen quite a lot of videos explaining how keeping the larynx neutral while singing is crucial, but not a lot of the techniques they teach work. I've so far tried the lips trills and making a…
user14412
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Pinky is raised uncontrollably when doing finger exercise

When I do finger exercises (e.g. Hanon's), my pinky finger is being raised after I play (press and release) a key with my fourth finger, and then is raised even more and is striated after the third finger plays a key. I try to fight it, in order to…
iddober
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Playing guitar with webbed fingers

I've just got myself an acoustic guitar and I'm struggling with holding down chord shapes. I have webbed 2nd and 3rd fingers on my fretting (left) hand. This causes those fingers to follow each other, making it very difficult to play chord shapes.…
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Wind instruments: why is the left hand on top?

Every wind instrument which require the two hands to press keys (saxophone, clarinet, oboe…) have the left hand of the player being the top one. This consistency makes it easier to switch from one instrument to another but is there a particular…
Tom
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How can I improve my playing of faster finger runs?

I am just preparing for my grade 8 piano exam. I'm struggling with quick runs in the 3rd movement of Beethoven's Sonate Pathetique. It really doesn't sound right. When I play I can't do it smothly and it sounds (and feels) like my hands are tired.…
Anya
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I've "lost my voice." What physically happened to my vocal physiology?

I've been suffering from a mix of allergies and a cold over the past few days, and woke up this morning to find that overnight, my normal singing range of about F2 to G4 had been reduced and lowered to about Db2 to Ab2. I can breathe in and out…
NReilingh
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Why is my voice lower pitched when I get up in the morning?

When I sing or speak just after waking from a long sleep, I can reach lower pitches than I can after being awake for a few hours. Why does this happen? What happens to my body after waking that increases the pitch I can reach?
Manoochehr
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Do cold/hot drinks have any effect on woodwinds and brass performers?

Hey, I saw this question and I immediately remembered one or two teachers that kept saying that drinking cold/hot drinks before and/or during playing any woodwind or brass instrument was a bad thing, and I always followed that advice, but never…
Edgar Gonzalez
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Playing trombone with a beard?

I've just picked up trombone, for the first time. I find it really enjoyable to play, but I'm having trouble with my beard and mustache. As far as I can tell, it doesn't affect the sound at all, but after a while playing, the area above and below my…
naught101
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What kind of guitar for big hands?

For someone with big hands, what kind of guitar is suitable? What are the advantages and disadvantages of big hands for playing guitar?
protect your ears
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How does countertenor vocal technique differ from "standard" vocal technique?

I am curious about the countertenor voice. What are the techniques for countertenor vocal production? It would be helpful if the answer compared to the standard techniques of vocal production, particularly the shape of the oral cavity and the role…
NReilingh
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Singing: holding on to the morning low notes

I've got into the habit of doing singing exercises in the morning and evening. In the evening I'm often struggling to reach A110Hz. However in the mornings I can get down to E and beyond, sometimes even Bb (a disparity of nearly an octave -- 10…
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