Intonation and Expressivity: Observations on String Musicians’ Views as Communicated in The Strad

Abstract

String intonation is a topic of pedagogical interest, but also a domain involving implicit, embodied knowledge that may be hard to convey in words. This study investigated how prominent string musicians approach expressive aspects of intonation, when only verbal means of pedagogical communication are possible. A search through the professional periodical The Strad with the combined keywords “expressive” and “intonation” generated a set of articles that were subjected to narrative analysis. Four approaches emerged in this textual material: Casals’ “expressive intonation” as reference; expressive aspects of intonation as implied between the lines; ambiguous communication surrounding the connection between intonation and expressivity; and intonation and expressivity as separate concepts. Musicians’ strategies for verbal communication varied greatly, and intonation was clearly described as an expressive means in only a quarter of the articles. It is argued that passing on the tacit knowledge of expressive intonation requires not only performance experiences and artistic insights, but also a well-developed and accurate vocabulary in teaching.

Keywords

expressive intonation pedagogical communication string performance tacit knowledge

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