Expanding musical creativity through playfulness : learnings from kindergarten music class for professional musicians

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to examine and prove how playfulness can be used as a mean to expand creativity, not only for children, but also for adults and professional musicians. This study aims to give some answers to the question of how is it possible to enhance a playful learning/working environment from a teacher or performer perspective. The motivation to explore the topic arose when I realized that due to my experience as a teacher at the kindergarten I re-discovered a playful attitude towards music making. This helped me in the music classroom, but I then realized that it helped me also in my life as a professional flutist and performer often working with contemporary music and in multidisciplinary con- texts. The research question is:

In the conceptual framework I will discuss the notions of playfulness and creativity with a focus on the importance of playfulness as an embodied experience that can enhance learning. This study is data driven. It applies autoethnographic approach and fieldwork research. The data has been collected from some of my music lesson in a kindergarten and from the process while working in a multidisciplinary performance. Therefore, this research allowed me to venture myself in the teacher-performer-researcher point of view. In the study I could observe how playfulness did help to overcome challenging situations bringing positivity and feeling of safety in the space.

My research question for this study is; In what ways can a musician-teacher create a playful learn- ing/working environment? From the data I found three main components that can be explored while advancing a safe and creative space. The three components are: The importance of transforming the challenge in a playful task; The use of narrative while making music; and the focus on the body and movement.

Based on the findings, I present conclusions and suggestions for future professional developments and research. I discuss the role of reciprocal learning in a situation that allows playfulness and playfulness can be incorporated in professional life and research as artists, musicians and performers. In alignment, I consider why playfulness is not part of higher musical studies in a more consistent manner.