Date of Award
Spring 2026
Document Type
Open Access Dissertation
Department
School of Music
First Advisor
Thomas Scott Price
Abstract
Piano technique requires the coordinated movements of multiple body parts; therefore, a clear understanding of the physiological principles underlying these movements is essential for effective technical instruction. Although existing literature— such as Thomas Marks’s What Every Pianist Needs to Know About the Body—provides detailed anatomical descriptions, it is often unclear how such knowledge can be systematically translated into pedagogical practice. To address this gap, this dissertation draws on musculoskeletal physiology to examine the movement mechanisms underlying major piano techniques. These mechanisms encompass thumb function, the fourth and fifth fingers, finger independence, wrist function, forearm rotation, the integration of natural arm weight with muscular force, the role of the latissimus dorsi in energy support, whole-arm movement, and foot and ankle action. The study then translates these mechanistic insights into targeted body-exploratory activities and piano exercises designed to support effective technical instruction.
Rights
© 2026, Ziyue Gao
Recommended Citation
Gao, Z.(2026). Musculoskeletal Physiology in Piano Pedagogy: Mechanistic Insight, Movement Exploration, and Technique-Building Exercises. (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/8843