Artistic Research in Music – an Introduction from edX

Artistic research (AR) is one of the most vibrant areas of creative thought in music – in the academic and professional worlds, but also among artists of all kinds who want to develop their practice by working and thinking coherently through its implications, questions, context and potential. AR (along with its various cognate versions) puts musicians themselves – their practices, their knowledge, experience and imagination – at the centre of the production of new understanding, knowledge, vision and discourses for music. In the current moment of great musical richness and diversity, this is more important than ever. Future or historical, acoustic or technological, performer, composer or producer – if you want to participate in this exciting and expanding field (or just want to know what’s going on) this course is for you.

The course is curated by the Orpheus Institute, Ghent – a world-leading centre for artistic research in music. Their artist-researchers are joined by experts from international institutions across the globe, who share their experience and understanding. The course is intended to be accessible to musicians with an expert artistic practice and some engagement with its theory, history, and context – as well as an inquiring mind. Masters or advanced Bachelors students will find this relevant, as well as researchers beginning their PhD, teachers at conservatories or universities, and independent artistswho wish to engage with this exciting field.

What you'll learn

The key concepts of artistic research in music
How to refine potential research questions and lines of development in your own practice
Some of the most relevant research tools, techniques, and methodologies, and how these might relate to your work
How not to be afraid of theory! Instead, you will understand how it can be a vital tool in developing a coherent understanding of the context and potential of your artistic practice
Ways to develop a coherent reflective approach to expanding your practice
The range and potential of different modes of presenting your work and thought
How to produce a complete research proposal

What's inside

Learning objectives

The key concepts of artistic research in music
How to refine potential research questions and lines of development in your own practice
Some of the most relevant research tools, techniques, and methodologies, and how these might relate to your work
How not to be afraid of theory! instead, you will understand how it can be a vital tool in developing a coherent understanding of the context and potential of your artistic practice

Ways to develop a coherent reflective approach to expanding your practice
The range and potential of different modes of presenting your work and thought
How to produce a complete research proposal

The key concepts of artistic research in music
How to refine potential research questions and lines of development in your own practice
Some of the most relevant research tools, techniques, and methodologies, and how these might relate to your work
How not to be afraid of theory! instead, you will understand how it can be a vital tool in developing a coherent understanding of the context and potential of your artistic practice
Ways to develop a coherent reflective approach to expanding your practice
The range and potential of different modes of presenting your work and thought
How to produce a complete research proposal

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Serves musicians who seek theoretical and practical guidance in developing their artistic practice

Designed for musicians with prior artistic practice and an interest in expanding their theoretical grounding

Provides a comprehensive exploration of artistic research in music, covering concepts, methodologies, and modes of presentation

Led by renowned artist-researchers and experts in the field, ensuring a high level of expertise and relevance

Suitable for aspiring and practicing musicians, as well as researchers, teachers, and independent artists interested in artistic research

Emphasizes hands-on learning through reflective approaches and practical applications

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Artistic Research in Music – an Introduction with these activities:

Review the Basics of Music Theory

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Solidify your understanding by brushing up on the core concepts of music theory, including rhythm, harmony, and form.

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Review basic musical notation and terminology.
Study intervals, scales, and chords.
Analyze simple musical scores.

Read 'Artistic Research: A Handbook' by Gary McPherson

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Gain insights from an authoritative text on artistic research to inform your own practice.

View Creative and Critical Projects in Classroom... on Amazon

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Read and analyze the key concepts and theories presented in the book.
Reflect on how the book's ideas relate to your research.

Ear Training Exercises

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Improve your ability to recognize and identify musical elements by ear, such as pitch, intervals, and chords.

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Use online ear training apps or software.
Listen to music and try to identify the instruments, melodies, and harmonies.

Five other activities

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Write a blog post or article on a topic related to artistic research

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Demonstrate your understanding of artistic research and share your insights with others.

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Choose a topic that you are passionate about and that is relevant to the course.
Research your topic thoroughly.
Develop a clear and concise thesis statement.
Write a well-organized and engaging blog post or article.

Join a Study Group or Discussion Forum

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Connect with fellow learners and exchange ideas by joining a study group or participating in online discussion forums.

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Reach out to classmates or fellow musicians.
Set up regular meetings or discussions.

Practice using various research methods

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Develop research skills and apply them to your own artistic practice.

Browse courses on Research Methods

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Identify a research question that is relevant to your artistic practice.
Explore different research methods and select the ones that are most appropriate for your question.
Conduct your research and collect data.
Analyze your data and draw conclusions.
Disseminate your findings through a presentation, publication, or other appropriate means.

Develop a Research Proposal Outline

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Start shaping your research ideas by outlining a comprehensive research proposal.

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Identify your research question and objectives.
Review relevant literature and identify gaps in knowledge.
Develop a research methodology and plan your data collection.
Estimate a timeline for your research.

Record a Short Presentation on Your Research

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Develop your communication skills and articulate your research ideas clearly by creating a short presentation.

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Outline the main points of your research.
Prepare visual aids or slides to support your presentation.
Record your presentation and review it for improvement.

Career center

Learners who complete Artistic Research in Music – an Introduction will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Composer

Composers create new music. They may work in a variety of genres, such as classical, pop, jazz, and electronic music. This course may be useful for Composers who wish to develop their composition skills and expand their knowledge of music theory and history.

See salaries and explore the career path for Composer

Music Producer

Music Producers oversee the recording and production of music. They work with musicians, engineers, and other professionals to create a finished product. This course may be useful for Music Producers who wish to improve their production skills and expand their knowledge of music technology.

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Music Engineer

Music Engineers design, build, and maintain sound systems. They also work with musicians and music producers to create recordings. This course may be useful for Music Engineers who wish to improve their technical skills and expand their knowledge of music technology.

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Musician

Musicians perform music in a variety of settings, such as concerts, operas, and recordings. They may also teach music or compose music. This course may be useful for Musicians who wish to improve their performance skills and expand their knowledge of music theory and history.

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Music Critic

Music Critics write reviews and articles about music performances, recordings, and compositions. They also provide commentary on music trends and developments. This course may be useful for Music Critics who wish to improve their writing skills and expand their knowledge of music history and theory.

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Music Therapist

Music Therapists use music to help people with a variety of physical, emotional, and mental health conditions. They may work in hospitals, clinics, schools, and other settings. This course may be useful for Music Therapists who wish to improve their therapeutic skills and expand their knowledge of music and psychology.

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Music Journalist

Music Journalists write about music for newspapers, magazines, and websites. They also interview musicians and review music performances and recordings. This course may be useful for Music Journalists who wish to improve their writing skills and expand their knowledge of music history and theory.

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Music Teacher

Music Teachers at universities, community colleges, and other post-secondary education institutions teach music theory, performance, and composition. They also conduct research in music education. This course may be useful for Music Teachers who wish to improve their teaching skills and expand their knowledge of music research.

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Music Archivist

Music Archivists preserve and organize music materials, such as manuscripts, recordings, and instruments. They also provide access to these materials for researchers and other users. This course may be useful for Music Archivists who wish to improve their archival skills and expand their knowledge of music history and theory.

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Music Manager

Music Managers represent musicians and help them with their careers. They negotiate contracts, book tours, and handle other business affairs. This course may be useful for Music Managers who wish to improve their management skills and expand their knowledge of the music industry.

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Music Promoter

Music Promoters organize and promote music events, such as concerts, festivals, and tours. They also work with musicians and music venues to develop marketing and publicity campaigns. This course may be useful for Music Promoters who wish to improve their marketing skills and expand their knowledge of the music industry.

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Concert Producer

Concert Producers organize and produce music concerts and festivals. They also work with musicians, venues, and other professionals to develop marketing and publicity campaigns. This course may be useful for Concert Producers who wish to improve their production skills and expand their knowledge of the music industry.

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Artistic Director

Artistic Directors oversee the artistic direction of performing arts organizations, such as orchestras, opera companies, and theaters. They also select repertoire, hire musicians and staff, and develop marketing and outreach programs. This course may be useful for Artistic Directors who wish to improve their leadership skills and expand their knowledge of the performing arts industry.

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Music Director

Music Directors lead and conduct orchestras, choirs, and other musical ensembles. They also program concerts and select repertoire. This course may be useful for Music Directors who wish to improve their conducting skills and expand their knowledge of music history and theory.

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Music Librarian

Music Librarians manage and organize music collections in libraries, archives, and other institutions. They also provide reference services to researchers and other users. This course may be useful for Music Librarians who wish to improve their research skills and expand their knowledge of music history and theory.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Librarian