This Article Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 0305735607070306v1 35/2/231    most recent References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Blank, M. Articles by Davidson, J. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

An exploration of the effects of musical and social factors in piano duo collaborations

University of Sheffield, UK

Jane Davidson

University of Sheffield, UK

The aim of this study was to explore the ways in which music tradition, sociocultural issues and interpersonal dynamics interact during the production of a music performance. Since the small body of existing research in music groups has been carried out on string quartets and larger ensembles, the current study looked into the relationship of a musical dyad in the form of the piano duo. The duo was used in preference to the piano duet as the duo uses two separate instruments. This usage gave a unique perception of ‘equality’ (no-one literally ‘on top’) and enabled the duo to be considered as a musical group, albeit in miniature. The ‘one-to-one’ personal and professional relationships that occurred were also considered. A survey of interview data from 27 pianists representing 17 different duos revealed that the partnership has two distinct aspects: the socio-emotional and the professional. Leadership issues, conflict and methods of compromise were recognized and dealt with by using well-established guidelines in order to ensure the continuing existence of the duo. Gender appeared to have an influence on the socio-emotional relationship with both men and women exhibiting behaviours that are sex-stereotypical. However, in all the important matters of organization, administration, repertoire choice, interpretation, rehearsal and performance, a ‘musical androgyny’ seems to exist that combines the best skills of each sex.

Key Words: group dynamics • interpersonal communication • personality traits of pianists • social interaction

This version was published on April 1, 2007

Psychology of Music, Vol. 35, No. 2, 231-248 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0305735607070306


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?