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FOAM-RESEARCH
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What is planned for the three years of the FOAM project?
The project is divided into three project phases that build on each other in terms of structure and content. Within each of these project phases, research studies with different specific questions, methods and analyses will be carried out in order to approach the subject of Focus of attention (subsequently FOA) in music from as many perspectives as possible. One of the most important principles of our work is to use those methods and analyses that correspond to the current state of research, the questions and the respective interest in knowledge – and therefore not to limit ourselves to a basic scientific-theoretical approach (qualitative empirical research and/or quantitative empirical research and/or theoretical research).
From our point of view, there is no verifiable music-specific theory, i.e. no construct or model for the effect of FOA in music, independent of the paradigm for movement learning in sport. For this reason, project phase 1 (Finding focus) initially aims to conduct exploratory research into how FOA is consciously or unconsciously used by musicians.
Subsequently, patterns and categories of attentional focus will be determined using various qualitative and quantitative data analyses. On this basis, a preliminary FOAM model will be developed, which will be tested in experimental studies in project phase 2 (Focus effects).
The findings from the studies will then be transferred to a learning and training paradigm as part of project phase 3 (Focus learning) in order to investigate the extent to which different FOA have effects on musical performance over time as well as on psychological and physiological health-related aspects of performing music.
As part of her dissertation, Annemarie Ohlsen is also conducting further sub-studies on the role of FOA for instrumental didactics and music education practice. Regarding data collection and analyses, there is a main focus on the type of FOA instructions in teaching-learning situations.
What methods are used to conduct the studies?
The first phase of the project starts with a systematic review to record and discuss the current state of research on the topic of focus of attention in music (see Hohagen & Immerz, 2024).
In a first empirical study, we are using so-called video stimulated recall interviews and eye-tracking glasses. Amateur and professional musicians are filmed while practicing a piece and their eye movements are recorded at the same time with the help of special glasses. After the practice session, the participants can watch and listen to their recording from different perspectives and are asked about their focus of attention in various situations as part of the interview.
We are also conducting a broad-based online survey on FOA when performing music, the responses to which will be analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively.
In the second and third project phases, the results from phase 1 will be used to develop corresponding experimental paradigms in which different FOA or instructions are compared. Depending on the research question, both measurement methods for analyzing movements (e.g. motion capture system, acceleration sensors, posturography) and methods for recording physiological parameters with the help of biofeedback or muscle activity using electromyography are used.
At the same time, many data collections in the studies are carried out using established, standardized questionnaires in order to record the influence of psychological aspects and processes (e.g. flow, stage fright, stress, self-efficacy, motivation) on the effect of the focus of attention.
What have we found so far?
In general, the results of the individual studies are already being published in journals and presented at national and international conferences during the project period (see also Publications).
To date, we have demonstrated through a systematic review that previous studies from music research have not shown consistent results of the superiority of either external or internal or other FOA in terms of positive effects on musical performance. Accordingly, we propose a research agenda with an exploratory approach to comprehensively and qualitatively investigate the dimensions of musical goals and provide a database that could form a basis for the development of a music-specific FOA. For a comprehensive presentation of the results of the review, see Hohagen & Immerz, 2024.
Other preliminary results from other studies have also already been published (see publication). If new results from the FOAM studies are available, they will be updated and summarized here.
März 2024
„pflaster:sound“ beim Hochschulwettbewerb 2024 ausgezeichnet
Das Wissenstransferprojekt „pflaster:sound – Musik – Resilienz – Freiheit“ wurde durch „Wissenschaft im Dialog“ beim Hochschulwettbewerb 2024 als eines von 12 Projekten unter 160 Bewerbungen ausgezeichnet. Das Team aus Studierenden und Lehrenden im Masterstudiengang Musikphysiologie um Prof. Dr. Anna Immerz beschäftigt sich mit Straßenmusik und deren positiven Wirkungen für Resilienz und Gesundheit im öffentlichen Raum. Beteiligen Sie sich [hier].
Seit Wintersemester 2023/24
Bundesweit einmaliges Studienangebot: Musikphysiologie als Hauptfach im Master Musik.
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