Under public concert conditions, the heart rate of a musical performer increases significantly when compared with that in a rehearsal situation. Previous studies have examined this effect, attributing a higher heart rate in performances to the effects of mental stress and performance anxiety. However, the actual physical work load had to be neglected in these studies, because it appears to be impossible to quantify physiological involvement while playing music. This book investigates the basic physiological and psychological processes that take place during a performance by investigating the...

Athanasius Kircher, one of the first prominent figures to propose a connection between the distinct rhythm of the heart and the state of peoples health, suggested the use of rhythmic stimuli to cure diseases. Since then, there have been various attempts to alter the heart rate by means of auditory stimuli. However, there are still limitations to understanding the regulating mechanisms in cardio-respiratory synchronisation. This study aims to shed light on basic functions within the complex psycho-physiological regulatory mechanisms of subjects who are presented with auditory stimuli....