Research
Master of Philosophy via Thesis at QUT (ending at the end of 2026)
Master of Philosophy via Thesis at QUT (ending at the end of 2026)
My research investigates the anthropometric relationship between guitar neck profiles and player hand size. Female instrumental musicians and those with small hands have a much higher rate of injury than male musicians or those with larger hands. My hypothesis is that this is caused by musicians using inappropriately sized instruments. My current study aims to determine if guitarists are anatomically predisposed to prefer particular guitar neck profiles. What benefits or hindrances do these different neck profiles provide for different individuals? My future plans for this study is to learn everything there is to know about guitar ergonomics, so I can assist educators, health practitioners, musicians and guitar manufacturers create a better world for guitarists. Fit the guitar to the player, not the player to the guitar.Â
My experience with guitar playing has been greatly impacted by injury for most of my career. During my second year of university In 2020, I had to stop playing guitar altogether due to injury (see video for details). My research aims to exame the art of guitar playing through the lens of 'Person-Environment Fit theory'. In basic terms, 'how can guitars be better designed to fit the individual', rather than, 'how can a guitarist adopt safer playing techniques'.