This thesis explores the healing capabilities of musical improvisation using a two-fold approach. First, it proposes a theoretical framework to understand improvisation as a preventive or curative event. Second, it employs the proposed framework to discuss data collected through fieldwork and a pilot study. Broadly, the thesis links improvisational behavior to the experience of transcendence and personal transformation. More specifically, the study focuses on a group of improvisers living in North Florida and the intricacies of three improvisatory sessions held at Florida State University. The research follows a medical ethnomusicological approach to understand the way these musicians articulate and describe the embodiment of "non-ordinary states" while performing. Throughout the discussion, the notion of non-ordinary states is frequently recapitulated and reframed. Roughly, it refers to the thoughts and emotions that distance the musician from common, everyday activity. In a sense, transcendence is viewed as a spectrum in which those unusual inner-phenomena unfold. The main argument of the thesis is that improvisation leads to the experience of transcendence, and that the experience of transcendence is in itself a vehicle to promote health and healing. / A Thesis Submitted to the College of Music in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Music. / Spring Semester, 2011. / March 22, 2011. / Medical Ethnomusicology, Transcendence, Improvisation, Spirituality and Music / Includes bibliographical references. / Benjamin D. Koen, Professor Directing Thesis; Michael B. Bakan, Committee Member; Juan Carlos Galeano, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_180527 |
| Contributors | Odria, Carlos (authoraut), Koen, Benjamin D. (professor directing thesis), Bakan, Michael B. (committee member), Galeano, Juan Carlos (committee member), College of Music (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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