Playing by Heart

Name: Ines Serrano DiogoMain Subject: Classical TrumpetResearch coach: Susan WilliamsTitle of research: Playing By HeartResearch question: Is the application of the Playing by Heart memorization modeluseful for learning and performing trumpet orchestral excerpts?Summary of the results:The main objective while undergoing this research was to put the PbH memorizationmodel to test in a real life situation. However, this endeavor resulted in many secondaryrealizations. Firstly, the very concept of “playing from memory” has evolved from beinga process that pursues the interiorization of the rhythmic and melodic figures thatcompose what we call music (playing without any physical memory aid) to a much moreemotional, even spiritual involvement of one’s consciousness with the message theparticular music tries to convey, its content and not just its form. This it to say that toknow the very essence of what a musical excerpt stands for as well as its context is amuch more powerful method than to simply learn it by memory: it is playing it by heart.Although the PbH memorization model was designed to improve performance, theobtained results revealed that while this method sharply boosts such traits as focus andaccuracy y (which make for better music), it may have damaged other aspects ofperforming that require an external; awareness, like a performer’s presence on stage forexample. Another interesting effect of this research was its lack of selectivity. This meansthat although the performer tried to apply the PbH memorization model to a selectnumber of excerpts, the method’s nature (as well as the performer’s brain’s nature) madeit impossible to avoid some of its principles to bleed into other excerpts, which were notmeant to be affected. The Playing by Heart memorization model is considered applicableand useful in learning and performing trumpet orchestral excerpts.Biography:Ines Serrano Diogo was born in Portimao, Portugal, and started playing the trumpet bythe age of 8. She finished her trumpet bachelor degree in Escola Superior de Musica deLisboa (Portugal) in 2012, and is currently finishing her master degree with orchestraspecialization at The Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. keywords: playing from memory, accuracy, classical trumpet, memory