Analyzing working conditions for classical guitarists: Design guidelines for new supports and guitar positioning

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

When performing, classical guitarists interact with many elements which constitute their own “workstation”. One of those elements is the support for guitar positioning. Support dimensions, form and materials may determine posture and affect the musician’s comfort and performance.

OBJECTIVE:

To propose design requirements for new supports for guitar positioning, based on postural assessment, anthropometric criteria, self-efficacy and comfort perception.

METHODS:

Nine healthy Classical Guitar students were recruited. A postural assessment was undertaken using REBA, and 3DSSPP software with three different supports for guitar positioning. After the use of each support, a questionnaire about self-efficacy and comfort perception was completed by the participants.

RESULTS:

The higher scores of risk and a significant difference (ANOVA, p =≤05) regarding the left leg elevation were found with footstool usage. However, this one was identified by participants as the best support in terms of self-efficacy and comfort assessment.

CONCLUSIONS:

To improve performance and prevent physical injuries for guitarists, there is a need for designing guitar positionings supports based on ergonomics principles. This paper proposes eleven guidelines for designing these supports.