Approaches to Critical Artistry:

Proposal

Cathal Killeen

Student Number: 1700030782

Proposal title: The Efficacy of Listening, or “Passive Practicing” on Learning

Speeds and Interpretive skill.
The idea for this project originally was inspired by the acquisition of a smartphone with a
music streaming service account, which has made it possible to easily access numerous
recordings and interpretations of a piece or work. I wanted to investigate whether this
newfound source of interpretive data has influenced my own approach and praxis towards
music.

This study will attempt to quantise or specify the method of learning current repertoire
being studied (namely the Brahms Trio in A minor, Op 114), and comparing this approach to
that taken in previous years to similar repertoire (The Brahms Clarinet Sonatas numbers 1
and 2, Op. 120).

The study will involve comparing previous end-of-year recital results and adjudicator
comments for the Op. 120 Sonatas with this year’s chamber music recital results. This is in
order to quantise whether there is a perceptible, positive difference in artistic achievement
beyond natural academic improvement with age and experience. The study will investigate
possible links of causality with various changes in my daily practice regimen, but particularly
with reference to my newfound access and use of various recordings of the Clarinet Trio.

The format that the study will take will mostly be in the form of a written text with links (or
files) of the recordings listened to.

It is hoped that this study will prove a positive correlation between my new practice
regimen (particularly my listening habits) and act as affirmation in my development of
effective performance praxis as a musician.