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Cognitive and Theoretical Analyses of Expressive Performance Choices

Trevor, Caitlyn M
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1543507401915102

Abstract Details

2018, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Music.
All texts, including musical scores, require some amount of interpretation by the reader. When a musician learns a new piece, they have to make choices about how the music written on their score is supposed to sound. There are many complex motivations behind expressive performance choices based on intuition, convention, convenience, artistic intention, and more. Each expressive choice impacts the way the performance is ultimately received. Chapter 1 presents an introduction to the document including a brief discussion of what “expressive performance choice” means. Chapters 2 and 3 describe two research projects that investigate two areas of expressive musical choice. Specifically, Chapter 2 describes research carried out to determine the effect of the amount of performer movement on judgments of performance quality. The movements of eight live solo performances were captured. From each original recording, three stick figure animations were created: one with augmented performance motion, one with the original motion, and one with diminished motion. The three animations were combined into single dynamic videos that allowed participants to continuously adjust the range of motion in the animation via a slider—from diminished through original to augmented motion. Participants were instructed to adjust the overall amount of performance motion to create the best musical performance. Consistent with the hypothesis, participants elected to significantly exaggerate the motions of the performers. Chapter 3 presents research conducted to investigate an expressive choice regarding fingering decisions for classical string players. Speakers tend to use a higher vocal register when experiencing a highly emotional state. A three-part study was conducted to investigate whether string players might mimic this vocal cue by playing in the upper register of a low string (instead of the lower register of a high string) to play more expressively. The study produced a complicated pattern of results. Nevertheless, the results are broadly consistent with the hypothesis. Finally, Chapter 4 provides a summary discussion and offers advice concerning potential future studies.
David Huron (Advisor)
David Clampitt (Committee Member)
Mark Rudoff (Committee Member)
130 p.
Acoustics; Behavioral Psychology; Cognitive Psychology; Experiments; Multimedia Communications; Music; Music Education; Pedagogy; Performing Arts
expressive performance choice, string register, string timbre, performance motion, ethological cues, music and emotion, music cognition, vocal affective cues

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Trevor, C. M. (2018). Cognitive and Theoretical Analyses of Expressive Performance Choices [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1543507401915102

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Trevor, Caitlyn. Cognitive and Theoretical Analyses of Expressive Performance Choices. 2018. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1543507401915102.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Trevor, Caitlyn. "Cognitive and Theoretical Analyses of Expressive Performance Choices." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1543507401915102

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1543507401915102
311
© 2018, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.