Peter Visentin

University of Lethbridge

CV Highlights

• Professor, Music

• MM - University of Toronto, B.Mus - University of Toronto

• Performed nationally and internationally, both as soloist and with groups such as Toronto's Tafelmusik

• Research Interests: Violin performance, early music performance, motion capture research on the biomechanics of violin performance

The Music Behind the Melody

When Peter Visentin attends a violin performance, he appreciates more than just the melody. Visentin's interest lies in using technology to provide quantitative insights into violin performance. For Visentin, research supported by Westgrid funding is an opportunity to employ state-of-the-art movement analysis technology and biomechanical modeling techniques to develop new methods of preventing overuse injuries arising from a musical practice and performance.

Together with Gong Bing Shan, a biomechanist from the Department of Kinesiology, Visentin uses motion capture, electromyography, force measurements and multidimensional signal analysis to examine biomechanical phenomena associated with playing the violin. This determines how musicians move, flex and tense their muscles during a performance.

Much of this research crosses significant disciplinary bounds. Together, Visentin and Shan have contributed to medical research, actively examining factors related to repetitive stress and other performance-related injuries. They have used this research as a means to challenge traditional practices regarding the teaching and learning of musical performance.