An interesting qualitative study about the efficacy of varied rehearsal strategies in chamber music by Jane Ginsborg of the Centre for Music Performance Research at the Royal Northern College of Music, UK. Link to the full study is below.
ABSTRACT:
Different chamber ensembles take different approaches to individual practice and ensemble rehearsal; in this study, we investigated the approaches of three student groups who could be described as successful and “failed.” The members of two string quartets, one newly-formed and one established, and a newly-formed wind quintet kept practice and rehearsal diaries for six months. There were significant differences between what and how they practiced and rehearsed and between their ratings of their own and their colleagues’ focus, effort, and enjoyment, although these three dimensions were correlated in several ways. The members of the successful established ensemble enjoyed practicing more than rehearsing, while the reverse was true for the members of the successful new ensemble. It is also clear from the ratings that participants were realistic about the efficacy of their practice and rehearsal strategies. These findings have implications for theories of motivation and practical applications for the teaching of chamber music.
Ginsborg, Jane. "Focus, effort, and enjoyment in chamber music: Rehearsal strategies of successful and “failed” student ensembles." International Symposium on Performance Science © The Author 2009.
ABSTRACT:
Different chamber ensembles take different approaches to individual practice and ensemble rehearsal; in this study, we investigated the approaches of three student groups who could be described as successful and “failed.” The members of two string quartets, one newly-formed and one established, and a newly-formed wind quintet kept practice and rehearsal diaries for six months. There were significant differences between what and how they practiced and rehearsed and between their ratings of their own and their colleagues’ focus, effort, and enjoyment, although these three dimensions were correlated in several ways. The members of the successful established ensemble enjoyed practicing more than rehearsing, while the reverse was true for the members of the successful new ensemble. It is also clear from the ratings that participants were realistic about the efficacy of their practice and rehearsal strategies. These findings have implications for theories of motivation and practical applications for the teaching of chamber music.
Ginsborg, Jane. "Focus, effort, and enjoyment in chamber music: Rehearsal strategies of successful and “failed” student ensembles." International Symposium on Performance Science © The Author 2009.
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