A research on the physical factors may create problems on studying guitar

The most prominent reasons for the emergence of musculoskeletal system disorders are incorrect sitting-holding and posture. Playing a guitar includes fast and repetitive use of the instrument as a result of sensorimotor conditioning of subtle and complicated movements of fingers. On the other hand, special postures that are specific to the instrument lead to adverse effects on the whole musculoskeletal system. Therefore, musicians experience musculoskeletal disorders which, in turn, affect their performance. Studies indicate that guitarists are under a great risk among other musicians. This study analyses the musculoskeletal disorders experienced by the students of Guitar Department of Ankara State Conservatory, Hacettepe University due to guitar rehearsals. 18 (2 female and 16 male) undergraduate students were included in this study from , Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory in order to determine the postural problems they undergo due to playing the instrument. The students were required to play a 5-minute composition which was chosen from their examination curriculum while they were being filmed from the same distance and angle. Subsequently, the videos were analysed, and pain, musculoskeletal pain and its intensity were evaluated with the Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Musicians (MPIIQM). In the light of this study and analyses, certain recommendations were given with potential to prevent musculoskeletal disorders that may be faced by guitar students during their musical careers. Keywords: Musculoskeletal Disorders, classic guitar, seat-hold, ergonomics, muscle-tendon