Musical competency development in a laptop ensemble

Abstract

The laptop ensemble is a platform that has recently been made possible by computer technology that enables individuals to perform music collaboratively. Research in this area has largely focused on the performance aspects, with very few studies focusing on the development of musical competency through participation in a laptop ensemble. This article reports the findings of a study that assessed the development of participants' (n = 80) perceived musical and non-musical competencies in a laptop ensemble affiliated to a tertiary institution in Hong Kong. A mixed methods approach consisting of a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews was used to investigate their learning experiences. For comparison, the questionnaire was also administered to participants in a conventional acoustic orchestra (n = 80). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the laptop ensemble group to examine the participants' perceptions of the development of their musical and non-musical competencies. A three-way dependency model was developed based on the findings, which revealed the technologically-oriented aspects of musical and non-musical competency development in the laptop ensemble. Participating in the laptop ensemble fostered students' ability to develop both musical and technological skills, which fits with the framework of digital musicianship of essential skills for musicians and music educators in the digital era.

Piano Automatic Composition and Quantitative Perception under the Data-Driven Architecture

“…Incorporating the user's prior knowledge into the drive architecture process is conducive to the user's exploration and learning of data. We combine the drive architecture algorithm with the star coordinates and provide users with a series of interaction methods, such as point interaction, class interaction, and axis interaction, to facilitate users' interactive data exploration [12][13][14][15].…”

Performance Practice in a Pandemic: Training Ensemble Skills Using E-Tivities in Music Teacher Education

“…The laptop ensemble organized by the means of computer technology collaboratively promotes music performance. By involving themselves in this process, participants cultivate their "ability to develop both musical and technological skills, which fits within the framework of digital musicianship, essential skills of musicians, and music educators in the digital era" (Cheng, 2019). In addition, networking technologies indicated psychological benefits on students' musical ensembles practice, like an orchestra.…”

UPLOrc: A Networked, Live Coding Laptop Orchestra based in South Africa

“…Conducting UPLOrcShops in this manner, in accordance with many other university music departments (Cheng 2019), is purely pedagogically motivated and attempts to facilitate the development of essential twenty-first century skills (Feerrar 2019). At the time of writing it is not clear whether any skills have been developed by the current members of UPLOrc (not including myself).…”

“…At the time of writing it is not clear whether any skills have been developed by the current members of UPLOrc (not including myself). I, on the other hand, have experienced increased awareness of my sonic surroundings when I collaborate with others (Cheng 2019). This is futher explored in Laubscher (Forthcoming).…”