PhD thesis Ángel D. Blanco

Title: Towards a Better Understanding of Novel Educational Technologies and the Impact of Feedback on Violin Learning. A Behavioral and Electrophysiological Account
PhD thesis defense of Ángel D. Blanco
September 28th, 2021

Abstract:
Mastering the violin and other bowed string instruments requires special considerations compared with other musical instruments. The process of good sound generation in the violin is a notoriously complex task that requires precise spatiotemporal control of bowing gestures. In addition, unlike the piano and other keyed or fretted instruments like the guitar, pitch control in the violin is continuous and, thus, correct tuning requires precise movements. This makes music production and intonation monitoring with those instruments much more dependent on auditory feedback. In this thesis, we present the results of four experiments designed to study and evaluate the effects of feedback (visual and auditory) and educational technologies in both beginners and professional violinists from a psychological and psychophysiological perspective. Results show promising perspectives for the development and advancement of new educational tools to help music students. At the same time, the results highlight the need for a truly multidisciplinary enterprise not only, to design and correctly evaluate future educational technologies, but also to transcend our understanding of musical learning in all its deepest essences and facets.