Effort-based Analysis of Bowing Movements: Evidence of Anticipation Effects

Abstract Anticipatory behaviours are known to occur in music performance, notably on the control movements of instruments such as piano or drums. We studied such effects on bowed string movements, corresponding to a case where the control on sound is continuous. Movements were measured with an optical motion capture system combined with sensors on the bow. Bowing movements were analysed and compared on the basis of underlying effort costs, determined from their velocity profiles. Precisely, we used movement models that assume that jerk or impulse are minimized. These models were synthesized based on measurement data and then compared to velocity and acceleration profiles. Results on various musical cases involving separate strokes, scales, mixed bowing techniques and rhythms showed that this methodology can account, to some extent, for the different effort strategies used by the players. The presented modelling provides evidence of anticipatory behaviour during bowing movements.