Learning strategies and preparation of musical performance

between routine and experience of creative processes

Abstract

In this text, we present ideas about musical performances based on study processes resulting from creative propositions, the confluence of partial results of two ongoing researches, at master and doctorate level, of the Programa de Pós-Graduação da Unversidade de São Paulo. It also considers results and reflections of a masters research already completed at the same university. The research regards proposals related to the cello, the instrument of both authors. The purpose of this paper is to present elements of the bibliographic review that serves as the foundation for the researchers, as well as considerations arising from empirical activities related to musical learning on the cello. The methodology utilised by the research is qualitative, based on Denzin (2000), Flick (2009) and Velardi (2018). The data construction procedure used was the bibliographical review of the pedagogical works of the cello literature, participant observation, questionnaires and interviews, as well as the authors' reflection within the research experiences. As partial results of the work, it is possible to point out some ideas: creativity is now considered as a continuous and nonlinear process; the creative process can be learned and refined; performance involves decision making; episodes involving creative practices may occur without the use of the instrument. The main contributions to the areas involved in the research include the insertion of works within the current contexts of what is considered musical performance, covering areas ranging from music education to interpretive practices: the contribution of the review of literature specific to the cello related to creativity; the relationship of the creative processes used in the context of cello study strategies; and the contribution to the cello's educational processes, based on elements linked to creativity, through the comprehension of music as a playful element.