Performing solo Bach: A case study of musical decision-making

Abstract

This study explores how an expert period instrument musician makes musical decisions, focusing on the distinction between intuitive (Type 1) and deliberate (Type 2) processes as defined by dual-process theories of cognition (Evans, 2008). A case study of the cellist Daniel Yeadon was conducted over 2 years, during which extensive quasi think-aloud and performance data were collected regarding Yeadon’s interpretation of the Suites for Solo Cello by J. S. Bach (BWV 1007–1012). Analysis of this data resulted in the categorization of 134 musical decisions as intuitive, procedural, deliberate, or deliberate HIP (historically informed performance). Procedural decisions were a subset of intuitive, defined as previously deliberate decisions that had become automatic over time. The category of deliberate HIP consisted of decisions that were explained with reference to specific knowledge of historical performance practices. A large proportion of deliberate decision-making was found (65% overall), with deliberate processes dictating the majority of decisions across all performance features except for tone color and ornamentation. Musical decisions discussed in the study demonstrate that performers often manipulate several features of the music simultaneously (making coding and analysis complicated), whether consciously or otherwise. The highest number of musical decisions related to articulation and phrasing, a result that highlights important components of current HIP style. Implications for dual-process theories include the novel category of procedural that demonstrates differences within intuitive (Type 1) processes.