O arco

: a padronização gestual dos golpes de arco para o ensino-aprendizagem do violino

Abstract

The main goal of this research focuses on the understanding of the somaticmovements necessary for the reproduction of the different bow strokes, with theultimate goal of achieving gestural standardization of each bow stroke. Previousresearch (Pinto, 2016) shows that the bow technique represents one of the biggestchallenges for violinists.Through an experimental methodological investigation in a laboratoryinvolving 30 violinists, it was possible to record - in sound, video and MotionCapture formats - a total of 1260 interpretations, the result of a careful selection of42 musical excerpts representing each of the bow strokes in study. All soundrecordings were subject to review by a jury, which selected the best interpretationof each excerpt from group 1 (participants with the suit), the best interpretationfrom group 2 (participants without the suit), and the worst interpretation fromboth groups. From this selection were created, through the use of video and datacollected in Motion Capture, the intended gestural standardizations - which weretranslated into didactic videos that allowing the observation of the variouscomponents under analysis of each bow stroke in study.By analyzing the implemented questionnaires, it was also possible toconclude that participants were generally unaware of Motion Capture Technology(90%), and that all participants (100%) understand that this strategy can be veryuseful, pointing as main reasons: the simplification of the learning of the bowstrokes; the possibility of visualization, comprehension, correction and awarenessof one's gesture by each violinist; and the possibility of correcting the posture and,consequently, preventing lesions.Based on the conclusions of this work, it was still possible: 1) understandthe differences/similarities in the interpretation of the different bow strokes inworks of different periods of the music history: baroque, classicism, romanticismand modernism; 2) understand the differences/similarities in the execution of bowstrokes from person to person; 3) understand if some of the analyzed componentsare decisive for the success/failure of the execution of each bow stroke; 4)understand whether or not motion capture technology can be used as a resourceand strategy in violin teaching; 5) understand the difficulties/facilities felt by theparticipants in the execution of the different bow strokes; 6) understand the xviimportance of standardization in music learning; 7) and gain knowledge of thenomenclature of each bow strokes performed by the participants.In summary, this study is intended not only to reflect, analyze and learn thedifferent movements needed to perform the different bow strokes in themainstream violin repertoire, but also to assist violin students and teachers.

Date of Award	18 Mar 2021
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Sofia Lourenço (Supervisor) & Paulo Ferreira-Lopes (Co-Supervisor)