Imaging the music: a context-specific method for assessing imagery ability

Clark, T. and Williamon, A. (2009) Imaging the music: a context-specific method for assessing imagery ability. In: International Symposium on Performance Science 2009, New Zealand.

Abstract

This study compared timing profiles of live and mental performances to determine if such an approach could provide a context-specific and objective indication of musicians’ imagery abilities. Of further interest was how performance on this type of task may relate to scores obtained on standard imagery use and vividness measures. Thirty-two music students were recruited from the Royal College of Music (RCM). They first completed two imagery use and vividness measures, followed by two live and two mental performances of a two-minute extract of their choice. Following the generation of timing profiles for each performance, correlations were calculated within and between the two performance conditions. These were normalized by conversion to Z-scores and then compared with results obtained from the imagery use and vividness measures. While all participants achieved a significant correlation between the timing profiles from the live performance condition, only 17 did so within the mental performance condition. When comparing the timing profiles between the two conditions, 22 obtained significant correlations. Significant correlations emerged between the imagery vividness measures and Z-scores from the live performance condition, while amount of time spent employing imagery significantly correlated with Zscores from the mental performance condition.

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