Mental representations in clarinet performance : connections between auditory imagery and motor behaviors

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
David Reed Allen (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Kelly Burke

Abstract: "The purpose of this study was: (a) to investigate the relationship between auditory imagery and representations for action in musical performance and (b) to discuss implications for clarinet playing. The literature reviewed establishes the importance of auditory imagery in instrumental music performance, the importance of mental representations for execution of necessary motor actions in music performance and a possible link between the two. Research is presented which supports the notion that representations of expected sensory feedback may have a role in controlling voluntary motor actions. Expected sensory feedback in musical performance is the auditory image of the desired performance and the proprioceptive feedback from performing the actions necessary for manipulating a musical instrument. The document concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings for clarinet playing. Clarinetists must to be able to anticipate the sound they desire to produce and have a corresponding action representation that includes the corresponding feel. While this study focused primarily on clarinet performance, the concepts can easily be applied to all types of musical performance. Musicians need to connect the sound they desire with a "feel" they know will produce that sound."--Abstract from author supplied metadata.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 2007
Keywords
auditory imagery, representations, action, musical performance, clarinet
Subjects
Clarinet--Performance
Auditory perception
Visualization

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