MUSIC 530 

   Psychology of Music Performance 
  

 



Assignments

Class Schedule

Seminar Requirements


MUSIC 530

Psychology of Music Performance

Instructor: Dr. Steven M. Demorest

Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday  3:00-4:00pm  Room 31A
                        (sign up on my door)

Email: demorest@u.washington.edu

Office Phone: 543-7587

 

Course Description:  (3 Credits)

This class is designed to introduce graduate students in music performance and

those interested in music psychology to the scientific research being done in the areas of performance anxiety, practice and memorization, sightreading, intonation and expressive communication. The course will be seminar style with a different topic each week, and featuring discussions of the readings and student presentations of research studies in their area of interest.

 

Required Texts and Materials

Parncutt, R. & MacPherson, G. (2002). The Science & Psychology of Music Performance, New York: Oxford University Press.

Reserve Readings:  Articles in PDF form for some topic areas on the website.


Course Requirements and Assignments                                    Points
            (see assignment guidelines for full information)                                 

Class Participation & Leadership                                                            20
Article/Chapter Presentation                                                                    10
Article Summaries                                                                                      10
Final Project Proposal                                                                               10
Final Project Presentation                                                                        10
Final Project Written Report                                                                     40

           Total: 100

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Music 530
Course Schedule

Date                Topic                                   

March 27        Introduction and Overview of Course


April 3             The Developing Performer
Text: Chapters 1-3     


April 10           Reading Music Notation

          Text: Chapters 4 & 9


April 17           Practice and Memorization
          Text: Chapter 10 & 11
April 24          Performance Anxiety


May 1             Intonation in Music Performance

May 8             Medical Problems in Music Performance

May 15         Musical Communication

May 22        Improvisation and Area Specific Studies
               
Text: Chapter 8 plus one chapter from 16-21


May 29        Holiday



Final Exam         6:30-8:20 p.m. Monday, Jun. 5, 2006
            Presentation of Final Papers       




Seminar Requirements

Class Participation & Leadership    (20 points)
Class participation will be based on your demonstrated preparation for weekly class discussion.  Everyone is responsible for bringing at least one question/comment/issue/quote for the discussion. Participation will also be evaluated based on your involvement in small group and large group discussion and written responses to certain readings.

Article/Chapter Presentation (10 points)
Everyone in the class will present one 5-8 minute summary on an article or chapter of their choice related to our main topic for a given day. The summary should consist of a short presentation summarizing the research study or chapter and its relationship to the day's topic.  It would be helpful to provide a handout and/or transparencies summarizing your presentation and include a supplemental bibliography.

Article Summaries (10 points)
Everyone must read two articles beyond those assigned for class and write a one-page summary of each using the form provided (I will mail everyone the WORD document). The summary must not exceed 1 page single-spaced, times 10 point font with 1-inch margins all around. A good source for articles would be the reference list of the chapters you are reading for class.

Final Project Proposal (10 points)
An outline and brief description of your final paper or project is due on April 24.  By that date, you should have a 2-3 page “preview” of your paper for me to review.  It should include several paragraphs describing the general problem area of interest, the question or questions you would like to explore, at least two related references, and a preliminary outline.  I will be glad to suggest sources for you to consult at any time once I know your area of interest.

Final Project Presentation (10 points)
Everyone will give an 8-10 minute timed oral summary of the final project. The presentation should be carefully organized to communicate the central issues of the topic and the steps you took to examine those issues.  You may use powerpoint or handouts to facilitate your presentation.  Please practice giving this talk prior to the final. Data collection projects should include some graphic presentation of the results.

Final Project Written Report Guidelines  (40 points)

Option 1 - Research Review: The purpose of this paper is to give you the opportunity to explore in more depth an area of research presented or discussed in class, or from the required or related reading.  For this paper, you would provide a critical summary of the research in a particular area and its implications for performance and/or teaching. I would expect you to explore sources well beyond those provided in class, particularly primary sources, to support your ideas.

Option 2 - Data Collection Project: The purpose of this paper would be to design and implement a mini-study on a topic of interest to you. The research question may come from one of your article summaries, or a study we read in class, or your own background.  In order to give yourself sufficient time to set it up, you will need to choose a direction rather early in the quarter.  I have provided some suggestions below.

1.  A replication of a task from a study you have read.  We will do some of this in class, but you are welcome to do a more in depth exploration with the appropriate subject population.

2. Designing and implementing an original study on a question that interests you.

3. I will be engaging in studies related to the psychology of music this quarter.  I would welcome your involvement in data collection for these projects.

Paper Format:  Limit of 10 pages (not including references).

Double-spaced typed with Times 12 point font and 1” margins

APA style for citations and references.



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Last Updated: 3/21/06

Contact the instructor at:demorest@u.washington.edu