Daniel Saliers and Richard Patterson | Thinking Musical Thoughts
What does it mean for a musician to “think musical thoughts”? How does such thinking interact with processes that seem more like “feeling” than thinking? And how do both relate in real time to pre-established habits of thought and feeling, communal conventions regarding interpretation and performance, one’s own highly trained but flexible motor routines, and feedback from hearing oneself? We look at such questions (as time permits) from the perspective of music study, rehearsal and performance, especially in small ensembles, where awareness of other performers’ roles and a sense of the musical whole are additional crucial factors. Finally, how are all these factors coordinated in real time performance? Who or what—if anything--is in charge? October 16, 2014