The Imagined Characteristics, Classification And Activity Within Instrumental Performances

This study examines instrumental performance imagination (IPI) through collection and organization of relevant literature, and through psychology research methods such as questionnaires and case studies. The finding is that IPI can be divided into non‐musical imagery and musical imagery, and that the stimuli of musical imagery can be either exogenous or endogenous. Imagination in instrument playing is often accompanied by kinesthetic and tactile body reactions, which are embedded in the musical imagery. Therefore it is a unique feature of IPI that musical imagery can be further divided into functional imagery and expressional imagery. The results of this study indicate clear differences in the activity of these imageries during the three stages of performance: sight‐reading, practicing and skilled performance. Functional imagery is emphasized in the former stages to establish completeness and fluency, while expressional imagery is emphasized in latter stages to bring out the musical meaning of the piece. With this finding, the study attempts to establish a cognitive resources allocation model based on these stages. Also worth noting is the impact of performance style, musical instrument type, personality and other subjective factors on the type and activity of imagination.