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University of British Columbia

Systematic approaches to the study of cognition in Western art music performance

Abstract

dc:description

This dissertation presents an instrumentalist’s perspective on cognition and meta-cognition in music performance. The goal of the study is to identify and apply methods of inquiry that are phenomenologically resonant with instrumental practice. The first chapter, situating the study in the context of the writer’s musical training, examines ways of studying and representing performance knowledge. The second chapter presents a case study of the preparation of Tōru Takemitsu’s Masque for Two Flutes (1959-1960). Using grounded theory methodology, this chapter investigates the role of gesture in the negotiation of musical understanding. Chapters 3 through 5 draw on Herbert H. Clark’s joint activity theory of language use to conceptualize music-making, taking into account context, process, and other domains of musical activity. Finally, Chapter 6, in addition to re-defining "virtuosity" for the 21st century instrumentalist, presents a set of philosophical considerations for cognitive studies in music performance.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
Level thesis:degree_level
doctoral
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Interdisciplinary Studies
Grantor dc:publisher
University of British Columbia
Year dc:date
2008

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Kaastra, Linda Tina

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
Language dc:language
eng

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Handle dc:identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/2429/678
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:circle.library.ubc.ca:2429/678

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of British Columbia
Base URL
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Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Kaastra, Linda Tina. Systematic approaches to the study of cognition in Western art music performance. doctoral thesis, University of British Columbia, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/678