A prática mental como estratégia auxiliar na atividade do violinista

Abstract

The current research focused on the applicability of mental practice on the performance of 18 violinists. Those randomly assigned to the Experimental group engaged in a period of mental practice (in four different modalities) that reduced their violin practice time by 33%. However, the results of their performance – graded by 11 professional musicians – were statistically equivalent to the results of the violinists in the Control group, who practiced 100% of the time with their instruments. This research included both a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of 11 musical excerpts that covered various aspects of the musical language syntax (rhythm, melody, harmony, dynamics and agogic) and resulted in 9,504 evaluation notes. We found that mental practice, when associated with physical practice, proved to be an important additional tool in violin practicing, validating the existing literature. In addition to discussing the effectiveness of mental practice, this research also speculated on mental practice as a potential resource for reducing physical discomfort in violinists. Moreover, it opposed the naturalization and even the glorification of pain that results from excessive effort applied towards an exceptional performance.