LEARNING STRATEGIES IN ORGAN PRACTICE: A preliminary investigation as a potential tool in the preparation of a contrapuntal work

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of learning strategies used as a tool for organ students in their first contact with a musical work. They were designed considering the initial practice of a contrapuntal organ piece and divided into the following categories: melodic, technical and contrapuntal strategies. This exploratory study filmed one organ student during ten organ lessons in order to assess his difficulties and build strategies for each one. The question arose: Did the student learn this score faster and more efficiently than the others of his repertoire for the semester? Results show that this work was ready for performance before the others even though it was considered the most challenging of all. Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o potencial de estratégias de estudo como ferramenta para estudantes de órgão no seu primeiro contato com uma obra musical. Estas foram desenvolvidas considerando-se a prática inicial de uma obra contrapontística para órgão e divididas em: estratégias melódicas, técnicas e contrapontísticas. Este estudo exploratório utilizou um estudante, o qual foi filmado durante dez aulas, onde suas dificuldades foram discutidas e estratégias específicas foram construídas. O estudo se propôs a responder esta pergunta: O estudante aprendeu esta obra com maior rapidez e eficiência do que as outras de seu repertório do semestre? Os resultados mostram que esta peça ficou pronta para performance antes das outras, mesmo sendo considerada a mais desafiadora do semestre.

The development of learning strategies in individual instrumental practice: an exploratory study with Organ Students in Higher Music Education

“…Development of Organ Learning Strategies Protocol: 17 strategies were elaborated by the researchers based on the experience of the organ/counterpoint professor, similar to those applied in a prior study (CARVALHO, 2016) whereby each student was introduced to the chosen learning strategies during his weekly organ lesson. Strategies were formulated according to the difficulties that arose during each lesson and the compositional and stylistic features of the work.…”

“…Since the strategies were based on analytical/ structural aspects, we wanted to observe whether the instructions before seeing the original score would be perceived as an effective approach by the participants. One of the strategies, for example, is not found in organ methods: contrapuntal listening strategy (CARVALHO, 2016), where an inner voice is played by a loud stop (reed) on one manual, to emphasize the "inner" voice, and an outer voice is played with a soft flute stop on another manual. In the first cadence of the Prelude in F major (mm.…”

“…In the undergraduate program in organ performance in the university where this study was undertaken, students may enter without any prior knowledge of organ technique or practice, however, they are required to have basic piano skills. In this context, organ teachers need to help students learn as quickly as possible and absorb as much as they can in four years (CARVALHO, 2013(CARVALHO, , 2016.…”

“…Two studies regarding learning strategies with organ students have been conducted in Brazil (CARVALHO; KERR, 2015;CARVALHO, 2016). In the pilot study by Carvalho and Kerr (2015), four undergraduate organ students were recorded practicing a short piece in a single session without further instruction.…”

“…The strategies were categorized as playing and non-playing activities. Carvalho (2016) developed an exploratory study, where a student was asked to practice one of his assigned pieces by using melodic, technical and contrapuntal strategies during practice sessions, while learning the remainder of his repertoire in his normal manner. In 10 of his 15 organ lessons during the semester, the student was asked to play the piece (the studied section) during the first 15 minutes.…”