Murphy McCaleb

This paper examines small ensemble interaction from the perspective of reflective practice. Current research on ensembles has increasingly focused on determining communicative properties of performers’ physical gestures. Interpretative coordination, although mentioned by Goodman (2002) and Williamon and Davidson (2002), has not been extensively explored. I argue that interpretative ensemble collaboration involves a connection between internal mental constructions of music and the way performers interact with their instruments. McNeill’s research on speech (2000, 2005) illustrates the influence of verbal content on physical gestures. In my work, I argue that gestures during musical performance could be not only similarly influenced by content within the score being played, but also could be required in order to play the music effectively.