Tribute to the Flute: A Literature Review of Playing-Related Problems in Flautists.

Playing musical instruments places unusually high demands on specific parts of the human body. Relative to the instruments they play, musicians may experience instrument-related symptoms, as recorded in flute players. The objective was to provide an overview of the study findings addressing medical problems in flautists to better understand their complaints and pave the way for more personalized healthcare. Several electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library) were systematically searched in July 2022. Furthermore, the references of all included articles were reviewed for additionally relevant sources. The resulting set of studies was summarized in a table, with quality assessment according to the SIGN grading system. From an initial 433 hits, the search yielded 95 studies with a total of 32,600 musicians, including at least 2134 flautists. Among the latter, evidence was found for musculoskeletal, neurological, dermatological, temporomandibular, and hearing complaints, overuse and reflux symptoms, velopharyngeal insufficiency, as well as upper and lower airway impairment. Other specialists may be consulted equally often and should be sensitive to the particular medical problems in flautists. Future studies would ideally contain specific outcome analyses on an international scale and consider flautists as an individual subgroup within a larger number of total participants.

For Fiddlers on the Roof and in the Pit: Healthcare and Epidemiology of Playing-Related Problems in Violinists.

Musicians, specifically violinists, may experience pain or loss of function as a result of poor playing hygiene, environmental factors, and insufficient guidance from teachers, parents, conductors, and physicians. The causal occurrence of these pathologies and the efficacy of general treatment, along with referral to other specialists for adjunct therapies and rehabilitation, were examined in this literature review. A systematic PubMed search was conducted in May 2022 to gain insight into the current state of the published literature. Inclusion criteria were cross-sectional or comparative studies that address relevant pathologies among violinists by specialty. The search resulted in 25 cross-sectional, 5 comparative studies, and 1 case review including a total of 6010 musicians, among them at least 920 violinists. Orthopedists, neurologists, dentists/orthodontists, dermatologists, and audiologists are most commonly consulted to treat violinists' complaints. Other internists and various paramedical specialists can equally be affected and should be sensitive to the complaints of musicians. In conclusion, the field of performing arts medicine is extremely wide and requires multidisciplinary specialist attention. The studies chosen highlight that violinists may suffer great discomfort at the hands of their instrument and merit adequate guidance from physicians in order to be able to continue playing in a safe, ergonomic way.

Análise da função respiratória em músicos instrumentistas de sopro / Analysis of the breathing function in wind instrumental musicians

Objetivo: realizar uma revisão integrativa a respeito da função pulmonar e da força muscular respiratória nos músicos de instrumentos de sopro. A relação da função respiratória com a utilização de instrumentos musicais de sopro é uma área do conhecimento ainda pouco explorada. Métodos: Realizada a revisão bibliográfica nas bases de dados MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, PeDro, BVS, Scopus, Web of Science e SciELO, através da combinação das palavras-chave "respiratory function test", "wind instrument", musician, "pulmonary ventilation" e "Lung Function Test". Resultados: Inicialmente foram encontrados 108 artigos, sendo que destes foram selecionados 11, totalizando 596 músicos instrumentistas de sopro, que fizeram parte dos grupos de estudo. Na maioria dos estudos os músicos apresentaram valores menores do volume expirado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) e da capacidade vital forçada (CVF) na espirometria que o grupo controle. No entanto, sem diferença quanto a relação VEF1/CVF. Assim como não há diferença na força muscular respiratória ou relação com doenças respiratórias. Conclusão: Os estudos atuais a respeito da consequência do instrumento de sopro em indivíduos não são capazes de evidenciar impactos positivos ou negativos na saúde respiratória desta população.

Objective: To conduct an integrative review of lung function and respiratory muscle strength in wind instrument musicians. The relationship between respiratory function and the use of wind musical instruments is an area of knowledge that has not been extensively explored. Methods: A bibliographic review was carried out in the MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, PeDro, BVS, Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO databases by combining the keywords "respiratory function test", "wind instrument", musician, "pulmonary ventilation" and "Lung Function Test". Results: Initially, 108 articles were found, of which 11 were selected, totaling 596 wind instrumentalists who were part of the study groups. In most studies, musicians showed lower values of expired volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) in spirometry than in the control group. However, there was no difference regarding the FEV1/FVC ratio, just as there was no difference in respiratory muscle strength or relationship with respiratory diseases. Conclusion: Current studies regarding the effect of wind instruments on individuals are unable to show positive or negative impacts on the respiratory health of this population.

Prevalência de queixas de incontinência urinária em músicos do instrumento de sopro / Prevalence of complaints of urinary incontinence in blow instrument musicians

Introdução: Para tocar o instrumento de sopro, o instrumentista, com os lábios semicerrados, faz uma expiração forçada para produzir a intensidade e a frequência desejada do som. Esta ação, ao tocar o instrumento se relaciona a manobra de valsalva, pois da mesma forma impõe pressão ao músculo do assoalho pélvico. Objetivo: Avaliar se o músico de sopro pode desencadear incontinência urinária pela pressão intra-abdominal exercida durante a execução de seu instrumento. Métodos: Foi realizado um questionário com perguntas relacionadas a incontinência urinária para dois grupos musicais, a Orquestra Sinfônica Jovem do Estado de Mato Grosso e a banda do Corpo de Bombeiros Militar de Mato Grosso localizada na cidade de Cuiabá, capital do estado de Mato Grosso. Foram estudados 36 músicos (30 homens e 6 mulheres). Resultados: Foram encontrados dois músicos do sexo masculino com incontinência urinária há menos de um ano e queixas relacionadas à incontinência urinária, assim como alguns músicos possuem desconforto ao tocar afirmando sentir vontade de defecar. Conclusão: Esse tipo de sintoma pode estar relacionado a outra patologia, a incontinência fecal, deixando espaço para estudos futuros.

Effect of Myosin Isoforms on Cardiac Muscle Twitch of Mice, Rats and Humans.

To understand how pathology-induced changes in contractile protein isoforms modulate cardiac muscle function, it is necessary to quantify the temporal-mechanical properties of contractions that occur under various conditions. Pathological responses are much easier to study in animal model systems than in humans, but extrapolation between species presents numerous challenges. Employing computational approaches can help elucidate relationships that are difficult to test experimentally by translating the observations from rats and mice, as model organisms, to the human heart. Here, we use the spatially explicit MUSICO platform to model twitch contractions from rodent and human trabeculae collected in a single laboratory. This approach allowed us to identify the variations in kinetic characteristics of α- and ß-myosin isoforms across species and to quantify their effect on cardiac muscle contractile responses. The simulations showed how the twitch transient varied with the ratio of the two myosin isoforms. Particularly, the rate of tension rise was proportional to the fraction of α-myosin present, while the ß-isoform dominated the rate of relaxation unless α-myosin was >50%. Moreover, both the myosin isoform and the Ca2+ transient contributed to the twitch tension transient, allowing two levels of regulation of twitch contraction.

Health outcomes of occupational stress in passionate musicians / Resultados de salud del estrés laboral en músicos apasionados

Becoming a professional musician is highly demanding and requires a deliberate practice that involves participation in a highly structured activity to improve performance and high levels of concentration. Musicians often begin to study music at a very young age, and their lives are subjected to constant pressure and prone to high levels of stress that may impact their well-being. The aim of this study is to identify the effects of occupational stress and deliberate practice on the performance anxiety of passionate musicians and on their degree of well-being. A total of 483 musicians completed questionnaires measuring their levels of occupational stress, passion, performance anxiety and wellness. The results indicated that gender, low control, high demands, overcommitment and obsessive passion are predictors of musicians' level of performance anxiety. Meanwhile, experiencing control, low demands, rewards, low overcommitment, harmonious passion and low obsessive passion contributed to the explanation for musicians' well-being. These findings show that occupational stress and passion, but not deliberate practice, are directly related with performance anxiety and with musicians' well-being.(AU)

Convertirse en músico profesional es muy exigente y requiere una práctica deliberada que implica la participación en una actividad altamente estructurada para mejorar el rendimiento y altos niveles de concentración. Los músicos a menudo comienzan a estudiar música a una edad muy temprana, y sus vidas están sujetas a una presión constante y son propensas a altos niveles de estrés que pueden afectar su bienestar. El objetivo de este estudio es identificar los efectos del estrés ocupacional y la práctica deliberada sobre la ansiedad de interpretación de músicos apasionados y sobre su grado de bienestar. Un total de 483 músicos completaron cuestionarios que miden sus niveles de estrés ocupacional, pasión, ansiedad por el desempeño y bienestar. Los resultados indicaron que el género, el bajo control, las altas exigencias, el compromiso excesivo y la pasión obsesiva son predictores del nivel de ansiedad de interpretación de los músicos. Mientras tanto, experimentar control, bajas exigencias, recompensas, bajo compromiso excesivo, pasión armoniosa y poca pasión obsesiva contribuyeron a la explicación del bienestar de los músicos. Estos hallazgos muestran que el estrés y la pasión ocupacional, pero no la práctica deliberada, están directamente relacionados con la ansiedad por la interpretación y con el bienestar de los músicos.(AU)

Alteraciones osteoarticulares en el músico adulto mayor de instrumentos viento-madera / Osteoarticular alterations in the elderly musician of Wind-Wood Instruments

Objetivo: Valorar si existen cambios a nivel bucodental en adultos mayores, instrumentistas de viento-madera por el uso del instrumento a lo largo de más de 35 años de profesión y compararlos con un grupo control. Metodología: Estudio de tipo observacional, descriptivo de corte transversal, entre músicos profesionales, adultos mayores, de 60 años o más, con más de 35 años de profesión y que toquen instrumentos de "viento-madera". La muestra inicial de estudio estaba formada por 57 músicos. El instrumento de recogida de datos utilizado se ha elaborado de forma exclusiva. El análisis estadístico se llevó a cabo mediante SPSS Statistics 23.0. Resultados: Media de edad 63 ± 1,28 años, horas de estudio diario 3,47 ± 3,3 horas con experiencia profesional de 40,12 ± 12,98 años. Dependiendo del tipo de instrumento, embocadura, años de profesión y las fuerzas ejercidas por la lengua, labios, así como las de oclusión dental, aparecen distintas alteraciones en la articulación temporomandibular de los músicos, variaciones en el aparato estomatognático en músicos con instrumentos de lengüeta tipo bisel y maloclusiones junto a desgaste de los bordes incisales en los de lengüeta simple y doble. Es significativa la aparición de trastornos de la articulación temporomandibular entre instrumentistas de viento-madera y el grupo control (p = 0,0236). Conclusiones: Según el tipo de instrumento de viento y del contacto de la "boquilla" con el sistema estomatognático, este estudio ha demostrado que tocar un instrumento de viento-madera a nivel profesional durante más de 35 años afecta a la posición de los dientes y donde las horas de estudio y las fuerzas continuas e intermitentes necesarias para tocar son factores etiológicos predisponentes de maloclusión y de la aparición de alteraciones osteoarticulares en la cavidad oral de los músicos adultos mayores (AU)

Objectives: To assess whether there are changes at the oral level in older adults, woodwind players for the use of the instrument over more than 35 years of profession and compare them with a control group. Methodology: Observational, descriptive cross-sectional study, among professional musicians, seniors, 60 years of age or older, with more than 35 years of profession and playing "woodwind" instruments. The initial study sample was formed by 57 musicians. The data collection instrument used has been developed exclusively. The statistical analysis SPSS Statistics 23.0. Results: Mean age 63±1.28 years, daily study hours 3.47±3.3 hours with professional experience of 40.12±2.98 years. Depending on the type of instrument, mouthpiece, years of profession and the forces exerted by the tongue, lips, as well as those of dental occlusion, different alterations in the Temporomandibular Joint of musicians appear variations in the stomatognathic apparatus in musicians with type tongue instruments bevel and malocclusions with wear of the incisal edges in the single and double tongue. The appearance of temporomandibular joint disorders between woodwind players and the control group is significant (p=0.0236). Conclusions: Depending on the type of wind instrument and the contact of the "mouthpiece" with the stomatognathic system, this study has shown that playing a professional wind-wood instrument for more than 35 years affects the position of the teeth and where the hours of study and the continuous and intermittent forces necessary to play; they are predisposing etiological factors of malocclusion and the appearance of osteoarticular alterations in the oral cavity of older adult musicians (AU)

Estimation of Forces on Actin Filaments in Living Muscle from X-ray Diffraction Patterns and Mechanical Data.

Many biological processes are triggered or driven by mechanical forces in the cytoskeletal network, but these transducing forces have rarely been assessed. Striated muscle, with its well-organized structure provides an opportunity to assess intracellular forces using small-angle X-ray fiber diffraction. We present a new methodology using Monte Carlo simulations of muscle contraction in an explicit 3D sarcomere lattice to predict the fiber deformations and length changes along thin filaments during contraction. Comparison of predicted diffraction patterns to experimental meridional X-ray reflection profiles allows assessment of the stepwise changes in intermonomer spacings and forces in the myofilaments within living muscle cells. These changes along the filament length reflect the effect of forces from randomly attached crossbridges. This approach enables correlation of the molecular events, such as the current number of attached crossbridges and the distributions of crossbridge forces to macroscopic measurements of force and length changes during muscle contraction. In addition, assessments of fluctuations in local forces in the myofilaments may reveal how variations in the filament forces acting on signaling proteins in the sarcomere M-bands and Z-discs modulate gene expression, protein synthesis and degradation, and as well to mechanisms of adaptation of muscle in response to changes in mechanical loading.

Musicalmente saudável: fatores de risco associados a lesões músculoesqueléticas em estudantes de música / Musically healthy: risk factors associated with musculoskeletal injuries in music students

Introdução: As Lesões músculo-esqueléticas relacionadas com o trabalho (LMERT) constituem, atualmente, um problema mundial, com implicações a nível socioeconómico e da saúde dos indivíduos. Os músicos representam também um grupo profissional muito específico e suscetível de desenvolver uma lesão músculo-esquelética (LME), pelas características específicas da sua atividade musical. Os jovens músicos para responderem as expetativas exigentes das demandas musicais, encontram-se muitas vezes susceptíveis aos mais diversos tipos de lesões, derivado do grande esforço físico e mental. Neste contexto, o objetivo do estudo pretende identificar quais os fatores de risco major que se associam aos diferentes perfis de lesão músculo-esquelética em estudantes de música. Metodologia: Optou-se pela elaboração de uma revisão sistemática da literatura seguindo os princípios propostos pelo Cochrane Handbook. A pesquisa do corpus dos estudos realizou-se nas bases de dados PubMed, Embase, Ebsco, B-On e Scielo, pesquisando-se estudos publicados entre Janeiro de 2007 e Julho de 2018. Os estudos foram avaliados por dois investigadores, de forma independente, respeitando os critérios de inclusão e exclusão previamente estabelecidos. O corpus da revisão ficou assim constituído após avaliação metodológica por 6 artigos. Resultados: Os resultados dos estudos demonstram uma prevalência de LME significativa e muito equipara aos músicos profissionais. O perfil de lesão mais comumente apresentado nos diversos estudos foi a Dor. Os fatores de risco major identificados, em termos individuais, foram idade jovem e género feminino; de ordem física, as posturas corporais não ergonómicas, a elevada repetição de movimentos e excesso de tensão muscular; e de ordem organizacional/ psicossocial, o nº e tipo de instrumentos executados, o tempo de estudo excessivo, a não realização de pausas durante a prática, a não realização de atividade física nem de exercícios específicos para a prática de um instrumento musical, falta de literacia em saúde, assim como stress. Conclusões: Os resultados obtidos evidenciam a necessidade da implementação de programas de prevenção de LME em escolas de música, de modo a minimizar a sintomatologia do perfil de lesão mais descrito e modificar os fatores de risco identificados, onde a intervenção do enfermeiro de reabilitação, em articulação com as equipas multidisciplinares, por certo terá um papel fundamental.

Introduction: Repetitive Strain Injuries currently constitute a global problem in the workplace with individual socio-economic and health implications. Musicians also represent a very specific professional group, susceptible to develop a Repetitive Strain Injury, due to the specific characteristics of their musical activity. In order to respond to the demanding expectations of musical tasks, the young musicians are often susceptible to the most diverse types of injuries, derived from the great physical and mental effort. In this context, the objective of the study intends to identify which major risk factors are associated with the different profiles of the Playing-Related Musculoskeletal disorders in music students. Methodology: We opted for the elaboration of a systematic review of the literature following the principles proposed by the Cochrane Handbook. The corpus' study was carried out in the databases PubMed, Embase, Ebsco, B-On And Scielo, the research studies were published between January of 2007 and July of 2018. The studies were independently evaluated by two researchers, respecting the previously established inclusion and exclusion criteria. The corpus of the review was thus constituted after methodological evaluation by six articles. Results: The results of the studies show a significant prevalence of Repetitive Strain Injuries, very similar to what is observed in professional musicians. The lesion profile most commonly presented in the various studies was pain. The major risk factors identified, in individual terms, were the young age and the female gender; of physical order such as nonergonomic body postures, high repetition of movements and excess of elevated muscular tension; and organizational/psycho-social order, number and type of instruments performed, time of excessive study, failure to perform pauses during practice, non-performance of physical activity and specific exercises for the practice of a musical instrument, lack of Health literacy, as well as stress. Conclusions: The results evidenced the need for the implementation of programs for the prevention of musculoskeletal injury in music schools, in order to minimize the symptomatology of the most described lesion profile and to modify the identified risk factors, where the intervention of the rehabilitation nurse, in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary teams, will certainly have a fundamental role.

A gente só vê glamour: um estudo de psicologia do trabalho com músicos profissionais / We only see glamour: a work psychology study with professional musicians / Solo vemos glamour: un estudio de psicología del trabajo con músicos profesionales

O artigo trata de investigação realizada acerca das vivências e das repercussões da atividade de trabalho na saúde e no cotidiano de músicos profissionais, a partir do referencial teórico e metodológico da ergologia e da psicossociologia do trabalho. A pesquisa, de natureza qualitativa, apontou que a atividade de trabalho na música é permeada por constrangimentos relacionados às exigências da atividade, às cobranças por altos padrões de desempenho e ao mercado de trabalho, altamente competitivo e predominantemente informal. A presença de dor relacionada às demandas físicas e cognitivas do fazer musical foi apontada pelos entrevistados como a principal repercussão da atividade no cotidiano e principal motivo pelo qual buscaram atendimento. O cansaço físico e mental, sintomas de ordem psíquica e sacrifícios de ordem social e familiar foram outras repercussões descritas pelos músicos. Esses achados corroboram os dados já apresentados pela literatura e desconstruíram a visão de uma atividade de trabalho glamourosa.

The article deals with research about the experiences and repercussions of work activity on the health and daily life of professional musicians, based on the theoretical and methodological reference of ergology and work psychosociology. The research, of a qualitative nature, pointed out that the work activity in music is permeated by constraints related to the demands of the activity, to the high standards of performance and to the labor market, which is highly competitive and predominantly informal. The presence of pain related to the physical and cognitive demands of the musical making was pointed out by the interviewees as the main repercussion of the activity in the daily life and main reason for which they sought care. The physical and mental fatigue, psychic symptoms and sacrifices of social and family order were other repercussions described by the musicians. These findings corroborate data already presented in the literature and have disrupted the vision of a glamorous work activity.

El artículo se ocupa de la investigación acerca de las experiencias y el impacto de la actividad de trabajo en la salud y la vida cotidiana de los profesionales de la música, desde el marco teórico y metodológico de la ergología y psicosociología trabajo. La investigación cualitativa, señaló que la actividad de trabajo en la música está impregnada por dificultades relacionadas con los requerimientos de la actividad, los gastos de un alto nivel de rendimiento y el mercado de trabajo, altamente competitivo y predominantemente informal. La presencia de dolor relacionado con las exigencias físicas y cognitivas del hacer musical fue identificado por los encuestados como el principal impacto de la actividad en la vida diaria y el principal motivo de consulta. La fatiga física y mental, síntomas de orden psíquico y sacrificios sociales y familiar fueron otros efectos descritos por los músicos. Estos resultados corroboran la información ya proporcionada en la literatura y deconstruido la visión de una actividad de trabajo glamoroso.

Combinación de tres técnicas en el reentrenamiento de un músico con distonía focal: estudio de un caso / The use of three combined techniques in the retraining of a mucisian with focal dystonia: a case study

La distonía resulta de una co-contracción sostenida de músculos agonistas y antagonistas que puede causar torsión, movimientos involuntarios o posturas anormales que interfieren con el control voluntario de la mano, u otro grupo muscular, involucrados en una determinada acción; por ejemplo, tocar un instrumento, o escribir.El presente estudio descriptivo, de caso único, buscó probar la efectividad de un tratamiento que combinó tres técnicas (técnica del umbral, imaginería, y relajación por neurofeedback) en el reentrenamiento de un concertista profesional con distonía focal. Según evaluación por jueces, los resultados después de dos semanas de tratamiento, no fueron concluyentes. Sin embargo, el reporte experiencial del propio músico dio cuenta de una clara mejoría. Ante la carencia de un método efectivo para larehabilitación demúsicos con distonía focal, la relevancia del presente estudio consistió en identificar y combinar técnicas específicas que pueden contribuir a ese propósito. En estudios futuros, sería de interés probar el efecto del mismo tratamiento,pero más prolongado; o el efecto de la incorporación de las técnicas en sucesión progresiva, iniciando siempre con la relajación por neurofeedback.

Focal dystonia results from a sustained simultaneous co-contraction of agonists and antagonists muscle fibers which can cause twisting, involuntary movements or abnormal postures that interfere with voluntary control of the hand, arm, mouth, or other muscle groups involved in a given action; for example, playing an instrument, or hand writing. This descriptive, single case study, sought to explore the effectiveness of a treatment that combined three procedures: the threshold technique, imagery, and neurofeedback induced relaxation, in retraining of a professional cello player with focal dystonia. After two weeks of treatment, experts judged the results inconclusive; however, the report from the actual patient accounted for a note worthy recovery over time. In the absence of an effective method to rehabilitate musicians with focal dystonia, the relevance of this study resided on thepossibility of identifying and combining specific techniques that could be effective. Future studies might want to explore these same or different techniques, but perhaps for a longer period of time.

[Focal dystonia in musicians: Phenomenology and musical triggering factors]. / Distonía del músico: fenomenología y desencadenantes vinculados a la ejecución musical.

Dystonias are defined as a joint sustained and involuntary contraction of agonist and antagonist muscles, which can cause torsion, repetitive abnormal involuntary movements, and/or abnormal postures. One special group of dystonias are those known as occupational, which include dystonia disorders triggered by a repetitive motor activity associated with a specific professional activity or task. Musicians are a population particularly vulnerable to these types of dystonia, which are presented as a loss of coordination and voluntary motor control movements highly trained in musical interpretation. Our aim is to describe a clinical series of focal dystonias in musicians evaluated and treated in our centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data is presented on a clinical series of 12 musicians with occupational dystonia. Their history and phenomenology are described, as well as well as their outcome after therapy. RESULTS: Demographic details: Mean age 34.8 ± 11.8 years, 10 males (83.3%) and 2 females (16.7%). CLINICAL HISTORY: History of trauma in dystonic segment, 6 patients (50%); family history of neurological diseases in first-degree relatives, 6 patients (50%); occupational history according to music category, 8 patients (66.6%) were classical musicians and 4 patients (33.3%) were popular musicians. PHENOMENOLOGY: The dystonia syndrome was characterised by having a mean age of onset of 28.2 ± 11.3 years (range 18-57 years). The segment affected was the hand (91.7%) in 11 patients. Of all the musicians seen in the clinic, 9 of them (75%) received therapy. The majority of patients appeared to have triggering factors specific to musical execution and linked to the requirement of fine motor control. It should be mentioned that 50% of the musicians treated maintained their professional activity or position in the orchestra to which they belonged. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of our phenomenological findings are consistent with those reported in the current literature. However, it is worth mentioning the presence of triggering factors attributed to the specific requirements of performing music, linked to the participation of fine motor control.

A profissão de músico conforme apresentada em jornais paraibanos / The profession of musician in the paraíba state newspapers

O artigo relata estudo sobre a profissão dos músicos na Paraíba, realizado por meio da aplicação da análise de conteúdo de dois jornais diários do Estado. A referida análise foi desenvolvida com uma amostra de números referentes aos anos de 2001 e 2003. Identificaram-se quatro categorias (papel social da música; incentivo à música; profissão e organização político-associativas). Tal estudo empírico resultou na identificação de aspectos centrais e importantes na construção da identidade profissional, como: o profissionalismo versus amadorismo; o mito da fama versus o anonimato; desvalorização da chamada prata da casa versus valorização do estrangeiro, etc. Embora não esgotem o tema, situam o lugar que a profissão ocupa na sociedade e pode se constituir em fonte para a elaboração de novas questões e hipóteses para os pesquisadores que se interessarem pela temática.

The article reports study on the profession of musicians in the State of Paraíba, conducted by applying the analysis of contents of two daily newspapers of the State. The analysis itself was developed with a sample of issues of the years 2001 and 2003. Four categories were identified (social role of the music; encouraging the music; profession and associative political organization). Such empirical study resulted in the identification of key and important aspects, in the construction of a professional identity, as, professionalism versus amateurism; the myth of fame versus the anonymity; the depreciation of the so-called home talent versus the value of the foreign ones, and so on. Even though this type of media does not exhaust the subject, it establishes the position that the profession occupies in the society and may constitute itself a source for the development of new questions and hypotheses for the researchers interested in the topic.

Dois violinistas e uma orquestra: diversidade operatória e desgaste músculo-esquelético / Two violinists and one orchestra: different ways of working and musculoskeletal disorders

Frente às demandas de compreensão e prevenção dos processos de adoecimento músculo-esquelético em músicos, este artigo objetiva mostrar as diferenças entre os modos operatórios de dois violinistas de uma orquestra sinfônica a partir de suas relações com os seguintes condicionantes da atividade: as exigências do maestro, a obra musical e a partitura. Os dados foram coletados a partir da observação da atividade nas situações de ensaio da orquestra, durante a produção de uma ópera musical, acompanhada de entrevistas. Os resultados mostram que as relações que se estabelecem entre os músicos e esses condicionantes traduzem estratégias operatórias distintas e formas singulares de uso do corpo e conseqüente desgaste músculo-esquelético.

According to the understanding demands and prevention of the processes of musculoskeletal disorders in musicians, the aim of this article is to show the differences between the operating ways of two violinists of a symphonic orchestra from its relations with the conditions of the activity: the requirements of the conductor, the musical workmanship and the partition. Information had been collected from the observation of the activity in the situations of rehearsal of the orchestra, during the production of an opera, followed by interviews. The results show that the relations between the musicians and these conditions show distinct strategies and personal forms of use of the body and consequent musculoskeletal disorders.