First Advisor

Fulks, Jubal

First Committee Member

Malde, Melissa

Second Committee Member

Oravitz, Michael

Third Committee Member

Garcia, Socrates

Degree Name

Doctor of Arts

Document Type

Dissertation

Date Created

8-2024

Department

College of Performing and Visual Arts, Music, Music Student Work

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to create visual and spatial cues for cello students to better learn the instrument through a notation system developed by the author. The research and notation are based on Noa Eshkol and Abraham Wachman's movement notation, which notates general body movement. The new movement notation, developed by the author, is directed to specific movements for cello players. Learning to play the cello by ear has been a primary pedagogical method. Students and professionals struggle to learn new music and techniques because they rely on hearing more than kinesthesia, the sense of movement. Musicians spend years and most of their practice time experimenting with expressive tone and intonation with little regard to the movement that creates the sound. This issue is more prevalent in those who start learning to play the cello at a later age because of a possible history of bad habits. The problem with relying on sound alone is that the resulting cello technique tends to be restricted to small movements in a confined space. Form is compromised, and body structure is used in an unnatural way. Relying on the small movements of the fingers and wrist, rather than the back and arms, causes problems with weight, shape, and balance. Weight is needed to produce sound with the bow in the right hand while pushing the strings down with the left hand. Balance and form are essential for intonation and resonance. When relying on sound and small movements, repetitive practicing becomes an act of perpetual experimentation without achieving the desired result. This can lead to irreparable physical injuries, a frequent problem for cello performers. Mental health can also suffer when a performer does not feel comfortable with their technique. Anxiety and frustration are serious, potentially debilitating issues for performers, students, and teachers. Significant research has been conducted about the sound and resonance of the cello. Recently, applications of the Alexander Technique, the Feldenkrais Method, and Body Mapping to string technique have provided general guidance about how to move to create the desired sound. However, there is currently no standard way to notate the specific movements of cello technique. This study proposes a method for notating appropriate physical movement directly in the score. This notation is based on the Eshkol-Wachman movement notation system, which was developed to record dance choreography. The goal is to make cello technique more accurate and music learning more efficient, leading to learning more repertoire in less time, relying less on repetition, and avoiding frustration and physical injuries.

Abstract Format

html

Extent

94 pages

Local Identifiers

Monsanto_unco_0161D_11271.pdf

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

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