Cu,rrent research has suggested that musical stimuli are processed in the right hemisphere except in musicians, in whom there is an increased involvement of the left hemisphere. The present study hypothesized that the more musical training persons receive, the 1 more they will rely on an analytic/left hemispheric processing strategy. The subjects were 10 faculty and 10 student nonmusicians, and 10 faculty and 10 student musicians. All subjects listened to a series of melodies (some recurring and some not) and excerpts (some real and some fake) in one ear and to a different series of melodies in the other ear. The task was to identify recurring vs. nonrecurring melodies and real vs. fake excerpts. For student musicians, there was a_ left ear/right hemispheric advantage for melody recognition, while for student nonmusicians, the situation was the reverse. Neither faculty group showed any ear preference. There were no significant differences for excerpt recognition. Two plausible explanations of the faculty performance were discussed in terms of a maturation factor and a functionally more integrated hemispheric approach to the task .

Perfectionism is regarded as both a virtue and a vice, due to its paradoxically motivating and dysfunctional possibilities for musicians. The aim of this mixed method study was to obtain a greater understanding of the impact of perfectionism on the psychological wellbeing of the musician by exploring the correlations between perfectionism, rumination, and mindfulness in South African university music students. The quantitative phase consisted of a cross-sectional survey design, during which 72 music students completed a questionnaire consisting of the Multidimensional Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory-English (Concern over mistakes; Pursuit of Perfection; Personal Standards), the Rumination Response Scale (Reflection; Brooding), and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (Observing; Describing; Acting with Awareness; Non-judging of inner experiences; Non-reactivity to inner experiences). The subsequent qualitative phase involved a multiple case study design with nine music students participating in semi-structured interviews. Correlational analysis revealed several significant correlations between perfectionism and rumination, perfectionism and mindfulness, and rumination and mindfulness. Brooding rumination was found to be positively related to concern over mistakes and pursuit of perfection in music students. Perfectionism (concern over mistakes and pursuit of perfection) furthermore revealed an inverse correlation with non-judging mindfulness, and to a lesser degree, non-reactivity mindfulness. Brooding rumination furthermore showed a significant association with decreased levels of mindfulness, whereas reflection rumination mostly correlated with higher levels of mindfulness. Multiple regression analysis revealed brooding rumination to be an important predictor of self-critical perfectionism among music students. The qualitative data supported these findings and emphasised the negative experience of perfectionism and the dichotomous view of perfection among music students. The study provides valuable insight into the perfectionistic, ruminative and mindfulness tendencies of music students and can be employed to enhance the psychological wellbeing of university musicians and increase the quality of academic output. / Thesis (DMus (Musicology))--University of Pretoria, 2021. / Music / DMus (Musicology) / Unrestricted

This study investigated the relationship between selected measures of self concept as perceived by a group of choral conductors, their eye dependency on score, and the measures of expressive voice. The problems were (1) to determine the degree of perceived self concept of a selected group of choral music teachers through measures of (a) total self, (b) physical self, (c) moral-ethical self, (d) personal self, (e) family self, and (f) social self? (2) to assess eye dependency on score of the same teachers; (3) to assess the aspect of expressive voice through measures of (a) pitch levels of modulation, (b) speech flow, and (c) voice energy level; and (4) to examine the relationship between the measures of self concept, eye dependency on score and expressive voice.

This paper provides a system that helps diagnose and address the specific challenge to cellists of intonation in any passage. Learning to play consistently in tune is essential for every cellist. In the over three hundred years of cello history, teachers have tried approaching the topic from a variety of perspectives. While each technique is useful in its own right, there is scant attention to how they work together. Viewing intonation through its component sub-skills is the first step toward integrating existing exercises and paving the way for further advances in pedagogy. The following paper categorizes training techniques according to the sub-skills of playing consistently in tune. This approach makes the learning and teaching of intonation manageable and approachable to cellists at all levels. What we do before the note, How we play the note, What we do after the note, and Putting it all together are the four broad categories of sub-skills identified. Within each of these sections, relevant exercises are presented and their efficacy explained. Examples are drawn from a wide range of sources including music education, my own educational experiences, music psychology, the Alexander Technique, cello pedagogy, professional cello teachers’ responses to a questionnaire, physiology, and neuroscience. By integrating published research in these areas, this paper provides a more comprehensive understanding of intonation. Instead of a wealth of techniques each claiming to resolve the challenge of playing in tune, the introduction of sub-skills allows for a methodological approach to intonation pedagogy.

“Aural training” forms a vital component of conventional music education and practice and has done so for a considerable amount of time, yet it remains a difficult area with regards to student engagement in its practice and application both at school and university level. Apart from extensive scholarly debates on approaches to and methodology of aural education, a crucial issue in need of addressing deals with the student experience on a cultural, environmental and psychological plane. Despite a long-standing history of approaches, methods and concepts having been proffered in advancing aural education, their success rests on the student being reachable, engageable, willing, autonomously motivated and possessing an effective set of problem-solving strategies. This study investigated student perception, motivation and problem-solving strategies in the aural courses at the South African College of Music, University of Cape Town. A mixed methods approach was adopted including semistructured interviews, a questionnaire-based survey and a brief comparative statistical analysis of student aural and theory marks over a five-year period. The theoretical framework adopted for this study consist of merging Embodied Cognition Theory, Dynamic Systems Theory and Self-determination Theory. Participants included current students enrolled in the Aural Intro, Aural I and Aural II courses as well as current tutors, former tutors and other professionals in this field. Findings with possible relevance outside of this demarcated study range from the variance in music education background of incoming students to a lack of problem-solving strategies, exercising various degrees of influence over student perception and motivation and thus directly impacting the effectiveness of an aural education system.

This study addresses a specific gap in research concerning personality type and aesthetic preference. The goal of this study was to assess the following question: is there a positive correlation between an enjoyment of atonal harmony and the personality trait dimension known as “openness to experience”? A survey was crafted, and a number of musical pieces with various degrees of tonality and atonality were composed for this study. Respondents of the survey answered a personality test, listened to the musical pieces and ranked their enjoyment of them. What was found is that not all people who are open to experience enjoy atonal harmony, but a majority of the enjoyers of atonal harmony are open to experience. Potential avenues for future research are discussed, including how knowledge of the relationship between music and the mind can help composers and music theoreticians, as well as game developers. / <p>Det finns övrigt digitalt material (t.ex. film-, bild- eller ljudfiler) eller modeller/artefakter tillhörande examensarbetet som ska skickas till arkivet.</p>

The potential of music to facilitate superior performance during high to elite level gymnastics conditioning instigated this research. A team of seven gymnasts completed a fixed conditioning programme eight times, alternating the two variable conditions. Four sessions of each condition were conducted: without music (session 1), with music (session 2), without music (3), with music (4), without music (5), and so forth. Quantitative data were collected in both conditions through physiological monitoring of the gymnasts, and administration of the Situational Motivation Scale (SIMS). Statistical analysis of the physiological data made it possible to quantify the presence as well as the magnitude of the musical intervention’s impact on various aspects of the gymnasts’ physiological functioning during conditioning. The SIMS questionnaire results were used to evaluate if their motivation towards conditioning was altered by the intervention. Thematic analysis of qualitative data collected through semistructured interviews revealed themes reflecting the gymnasts’ sentiments towards the data collection process. Gymnast-specific descriptions and experiences of the team as a whole were integrated with the quantitative data to facilitate greater dimension in establishing the impact of the intervention. The results showed positive physiological, motivational and emotional effects. In the presence of music, superior sympathetic nervous activation and energy efficiency, with more economic breathing, dominated the physiological data. Fatigue and arousal levels (emotional and physiological) were also conducive to improved conditioning outcomes compared to conventional conditioning (without music). Greater levels of positive affect and motivation emerged in analysis of both the SIMS and interview datasets. Overall, the intervention was found to promote psychophysiological coherence during the physical activity. In conclusion, a strategically constructed musical intervention, designed to accompany a gymnastics conditioning session for high to elite level gymnasts, has ergogenic potential. / Dissertation (MMus (Musicology))--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Music / MMus (Musicology) / Unrestricted

O objeto dessa pesquisa é o processo de significação construído acerca do Festival Internacional de Inverno de Campos do Jordão nas vivências sociais de músicos da comunidade local. Sabemos que o festival é um evento artístico e cultural que envolve diferentes instituições e pessoas, e pode ser estudado por diversos ângulos. Aqui nos interessa observá-lo a partir de um estudo psicossocial com os seguintes objetivos: 1. Compreender as significações do evento neste público específico; 2. Refletir sobre as relações estabelecidas entre os sujeitos e o Festival. A Psicologia Social da Arte contribui na compreensão dos meandros da vida social através do olhar e da escuta às vivências que pulsam nas relações dos sujeitos com a arte. Desnaturalizando o conceito de social, compreendido por muitos como simples sociabilidade, a Psicologia favorece a compreensão dessas relações quando toma por objeto o social como um campo problemático que possui uma historicidade e que é forjado a partir de uma configuração específica de práticas que variam de acordo com as características de cada coletividade humana. Campos do Jordão é uma cidade brasileira que apesar de apresentar níveis de riqueza elevados, não é capaz de atingir bons indicadores sociais. É uma cidade de paradoxos: casas, condomínios, hotelaria e comércio de luxo por um lado; casebres, morros e encostas habitadas irregularmente, 80% da população com renda de até 05 salários mínimos de outro. Está entre as cidades brasileiras onde as diferenças sociais são mais claramente perceptíveis. Os resultados apontam para a ausência de relações formais entre os músicos e o Festival uma vez que nenhum deles chegou a participar como músico. Entretanto essa ausência não é vazia. Ao contrário, ela é permeada de significados como tristeza, ressentimento, distanciamento, mas também intercalada de esperança e desejo de participar e se apropriar como sujeito atuante. As reflexões apontam para a necessária mudança de atitudes, de nosso olhar, frente às formas como a arte e a produção artística são organizadas em nosso país para que em breve haja muitos exemplos e trabalhos que contemplem a transformação social através do viver artístico. / The meaning process built about The Campos do Jordão International Winter Festival in resident musicians social living is the object of this research. We do know that the festival is an artistic and cultural event which involves different institutions and people and it can be studied through different scopes. We are interested here to look upon it from a psychosocial study whose objectives are: 1. Understand the meanings of the event from the specific subjects speech; 2. Reflect about the relations established between the musicians and the Festival. The Social Psychology of Art contributes to the comprehension of social life through a view and listening to life which pulses among people and arts. Denaturalizing the social concept, understood as a simple sociability by many people, the Social Psychology favors the comprehension of the relations between people (and arts). It takes the social as a historicity field that is forged through specific practices that vary depending on the characteristics of each human society. Campos do Jordão is a Brazilian city that despite presenting high rich levels cannot reach good social index-finger. It is a city of paradoxes: in one side we can see luxury houses, condominium, five stars hotels and expensive stores, in the other we can see humble habitation, mount and hillside irregularly occupied, 80% of resident population receiving low salaries. It is certainly one of Brazilian cities where the social differences can be clearer seen. The results of the research point to the absence of formal relation between the festival and the resident musicians once none of them has ever participated as a musician. However this absence is not empty of meanings. On the contrary, it is full of feelings like sadness, resentment and being far away from the festival. But we also could see hope, wish of belonging and acting as active subjects. The reflections point to a necessary change of attitude and look to the forms art and artistic production is organized in Brazil. In this way we hope to have many examples and works which contemplate the social changing through the arts.

This diploma thesis is divided into theoretical and practical part. The theoretical part contains the characteristics of school age, basic physiology of hearing and voice, describes the development of musical abilities and their classification. It also defines the basic concepts of music psychology, describes some of the basic methodology of music education and addresses issues of motivation at school. The practical part consists of a project for school clubs on "Round the world journey". The project focuses on developing musical skills and abilities through play, building positive relationships within the group and learning about the culture of other nations.

O objeto dessa pesquisa é o processo de significação construído acerca do Festival Internacional de Inverno de Campos do Jordão nas vivências sociais de músicos da comunidade local. Sabemos que o festival é um evento artístico e cultural que envolve diferentes instituições e pessoas, e pode ser estudado por diversos ângulos. Aqui nos interessa observá-lo a partir de um estudo psicossocial com os seguintes objetivos: 1. Compreender as significações do evento neste público específico; 2. Refletir sobre as relações estabelecidas entre os sujeitos e o Festival. A Psicologia Social da Arte contribui na compreensão dos meandros da vida social através do olhar e da escuta às vivências que pulsam nas relações dos sujeitos com a arte. Desnaturalizando o conceito de social, compreendido por muitos como simples sociabilidade, a Psicologia favorece a compreensão dessas relações quando toma por objeto o social como um campo problemático que possui uma historicidade e que é forjado a partir de uma configuração específica de práticas que variam de acordo com as características de cada coletividade humana. Campos do Jordão é uma cidade brasileira que apesar de apresentar níveis de riqueza elevados, não é capaz de atingir bons indicadores sociais. É uma cidade de paradoxos: casas, condomínios, hotelaria e comércio de luxo por um lado; casebres, morros e encostas habitadas irregularmente, 80% da população com renda de até 05 salários mínimos de outro. Está entre as cidades brasileiras onde as diferenças sociais são mais claramente perceptíveis. Os resultados apontam para a ausência de relações formais entre os músicos e o Festival uma vez que nenhum deles chegou a participar como músico. Entretanto essa ausência não é vazia. Ao contrário, ela é permeada de significados como tristeza, ressentimento, distanciamento, mas também intercalada de esperança e desejo de participar e se apropriar como sujeito atuante. As reflexões apontam para a necessária mudança de atitudes, de nosso olhar, frente às formas como a arte e a produção artística são organizadas em nosso país para que em breve haja muitos exemplos e trabalhos que contemplem a transformação social através do viver artístico. / The meaning process built about The Campos do Jordão International Winter Festival in resident musicians social living is the object of this research. We do know that the festival is an artistic and cultural event which involves different institutions and people and it can be studied through different scopes. We are interested here to look upon it from a psychosocial study whose objectives are: 1. Understand the meanings of the event from the specific subjects speech; 2. Reflect about the relations established between the musicians and the Festival. The Social Psychology of Art contributes to the comprehension of social life through a view and listening to life which pulses among people and arts. Denaturalizing the social concept, understood as a simple sociability by many people, the Social Psychology favors the comprehension of the relations between people (and arts). It takes the social as a historicity field that is forged through specific practices that vary depending on the characteristics of each human society. Campos do Jordão is a Brazilian city that despite presenting high rich levels cannot reach good social index-finger. It is a city of paradoxes: in one side we can see luxury houses, condominium, five stars hotels and expensive stores, in the other we can see humble habitation, mount and hillside irregularly occupied, 80% of resident population receiving low salaries. It is certainly one of Brazilian cities where the social differences can be clearer seen. The results of the research point to the absence of formal relation between the festival and the resident musicians once none of them has ever participated as a musician. However this absence is not empty of meanings. On the contrary, it is full of feelings like sadness, resentment and being far away from the festival. But we also could see hope, wish of belonging and acting as active subjects. The reflections point to a necessary change of attitude and look to the forms art and artistic production is organized in Brazil. In this way we hope to have many examples and works which contemplate the social changing through the arts.