Piano practice addiction??

MusicPsychologist

Do you think piano practice can be addictive???

Meanwhile, I am conducting a study on practice dependence and pain, see below 😉

Dear musicians worldwide,

I am completing a master’s dissertation project. We are now recruiting
(1) amateur pianists (has not studied at a music conservatory nor obtained a music degree),
(2) aged above 18, and
(3) have ever experienced pain that interfered with your ability to play the piano (pain not caused by a chronic medical condition or surgery),

to complete a survey which takes about 10-15 minutes. The findings will help us understand the relationship between music practice dependence and performance-related pain. Please click this link (https://wolverhamptonpsych.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6DRqwQlwJ2yBm0m) for detailed information.

Your participation is much appreciated!

Best wishes,
Mandy

navindra

MusicPsychologist A nod to Davide for sending you to this corner of the world of piano forums. 🙂

I have to say, this seems like a very niche study.

Would you mind sharing your personal motivations for pursuing this line of inquiry? Have you witnessed many amateur pianists develop pain? How is this related to psychology — are there a lot of people who actually become addicted to piano practice?

ShiroKuro

Hmmm, I have plantar fasciitis (heel pain) in my right foot only, and I’ve sometimes wondered if it’s connected to or exacerbated by piano playing. @MusicPsychologist does that count as pain?

Rubens

I am quite intrigued by also a bit puzzled by the criteria. Any pain, if intense enough, will interfere with piano performance. Abdominal pain from gastroenteritis would do that. And also plantar fasciitis as stated earlier. So would participants really meet criterion no.3 in those instances?

ShiroKuro

Rubens plantar fasciitis

Well the difference of course is that PF could impact the ability to pedal, so if I have heel pain and I’m not pedaling, the pain goes away (or is mitigated) whereas stomach pain wouldn’t be connected to playing per se and presumably the pain would continue even if you stopped playing.

TheBoringPianist

You will be chosen if you are (1) age over 18 years, (2) an amateur pianist, and (3) have ever experienced pain that interfered with your ability to play the piano. You are excluded if you (1) have studied at a music conservatory or obtained a music degree or (2) have a chronic neurological or rheumatic condition that causes pain or underwent surgery in the last 12 months.

It's funny that I feel like I'm the intended audience for this study — I'm definitely over 18, an amateur pianist, and have experienced hand/wrist pain that caused me to adjust my playing and/or practice regimen — but I also meet both exclusion criteria (I started and quit a music degree many years ago, and I get cluster headaches, a neurological condition that causes intense pain, to put it mildly) so I guess I'm not eligible.

I actually do think practicing piano can be addictive to the point of detriment to other aspects of your life (work, postural effects, sedentary nature, RSI)... but I also think that if I'm addicted to practicing piano (which I don't think I am at my current level of practice) it would probably be among my healthier addictions heh.

LorrieRobins

That sounds like a fascinating study! It’s great to see research focusing on the intersection of music practice and physical well-being. If you’re looking for ways to spread the word, consider reaching out to online piano forums, local music schools, or social media groups dedicated to amateur musicians.

ShiroKuro

LorrieRobins If you’re looking for ways to spread the word, consider reaching out to online piano forums, local music schools, or social media groups dedicated to amateur musicians.

Not sure how interested they are in spreading the word, since it looks like the OP hasn’t come back here…

keff

I have been in touch with the OP with some suggestions but am aware that Autumn term does't usually start at UK universities until the end of September.