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Research Circles

Adult Musicians' Practice Habits Study

Summary of Research Circles and Future Directions

Rainer Lindquist, Principal Researcher

September 2020 - December 2020

What are Research Circles?

Brukarmedverkan (Swedish): Participatory research approach where study participants engage collaboratively in analyzing findings and learning from each other

Core Principles

  • Reciprocal learning between researcher and participants
  • Interactive introspection rather than neutral observation
  • Expert presentations combined with participant discussions
  • Transcribed sessions distributed to all attendees

Ethics & Recording: All sessions were video recorded with participant consent for transcription and analysis, following EU Data Protection Regulation (prop. 2017/18:298)

Research Circle 0: Quality Control

February 2020 • With first four interview participants (HP, Ingvar, Håkan, Jörgen)

Purpose

Pre-launch validation of survey instrument with early participants from Malmö-Copenhagen Blues Connexion

Key Improvements Identified

  • Simplified two complex mindset questions
  • Removed "fel eller misstag" (errors or mistakes) from distraction question
  • Added final question: "Why should a beginner practice?"
  • Confirmed no questions were offensive or concerning
  • Validated 45-60 minute completion time
  • Confirmed natural flow of question groupings

"Jag tycker det var intressant och liksom också relevanta frågor och det gav ju en lite reflektion också över ens eget musicerande."

— Håkan, Participant

Research Circle 1: Styles of Practice

September 2020 • Led by Ray Lindquist

Key Topics

  • Fun vs. Deliberate Practice - Unstructured enjoyment vs. structured, goal-oriented work
  • The 10,000-Hour "Rule" - Gladwell's popularization of Ericsson's findings
  • Blended Approaches - Epstein: diverse influences vs. specialization

Core Concepts

Zone of Proximal Development - "Desirable difficulties" create optimal learning

Feedback Mechanisms - Teachers, recordings, diaries, practice apps

Myelin Development - Practice strengthens neural pathways

69% of musicians reported stable musical interests over time

Research Circle 2: Musicians' Injuries

October 2020 • Guest Expert: Dr. Bridget Rennie-Salonen (South Africa)

The Problem

Research shows 40-90% of musicians experience performance-related health issues

Wijsman & Ackerman, 2018; Bruser, 1997; Rennie-Salonen, 2019

Survey Findings

  • 50% reported injury from practice
  • 61% do not prepare before sessions
  • 72% have no end-of-session routine
  • 50% work on posture (Yoga, Alexander, Tai Chi)

Reported Injuries

Tinnitus (2 cases)

Tendonitis (3 cases)

Ganglion cyst on wrist

Carpal tunnel numbness

Finger injuries (blisters, abrasions)

Notable: None required relearning their instrument

Research Circle 3: Motivation & Mental Skills

November 2020 • Guest Expert: Kristiina Pekkola, Sports Psychologist

About the Expert

President, Swedish Judo Federation • Black Belt in Mental Power • Musician (saxophone, guitar, harmonica, flute, pianos)

OMSAT-3 Framework

Ottawa Mental Skills Assessment Tool (1995) • 12 skills, 48 questions

Foundation

Goal Setting

Confidence

Commitment

Affective

Stress Control

Relaxation

Fear Control

Cognitive

Focusing

Mental Practice

Refocusing

GRIT Analysis

Duckworth's GRIT Scale (2004) - Perseverance and passion for long-term goals

GRIT vs. Age: Weak negative correlation

GRIT vs. Practice Hours: Moderate positive correlation (r = 0.518)

GRIT vs. Commitment: Moderately positive correlation (r = 0.552)

Health & Well-being

General health scores remained stable across age groups (3.9-4.1)

Key Themes Across Research Circles

Practice as Meditation

Multiple participants spontaneously described practice as "meditativt" - suggesting that individual practice provides psychological benefits beyond skill development

"When I go into the music I feel such freedom, other thoughts disappear. Paying the telephone bill doesn't exist at that moment - only the music matters."

The Injury Prevention Paradox

Despite being experienced musicians, 50% reported injuries, yet 61% don't warm up before practice and 72% have no cool-down routine - suggesting injury awareness doesn't always translate to preventive behavior

Intrinsic Motivation Dominates

When asked "Why practice?", responses emphasized joy, fascination, and internal drive rather than external rewards: "It brings me joy," "I'm still hungry," "The same fascination since I started"

Shared Learning Value

Participants explicitly valued learning from each other's approaches to practice, supporting the brukarmedverkan model as a form of reciprocal "reward" for research participation

Future Research Circles: Proposed Plans

Partnership with Folkuniversitetet, Malmö

Proposal to establish ongoing circles through adult education framework

Spring 2021 Schedule

  • Month 1: Study format and practice styles
  • Month 2: Occupational injuries (guest expert TBD)
  • Month 3: Motivation, Confidence, Anxiety (guest expert TBD)
  • Month 4: Comprehensive data analysis

Key Benefits

  • Regular monthly meetings (September-May)
  • Integration of new participants
  • Rotating guest speakers
  • Building community of practice
  • International video participation

Longitudinal Opportunity: Participants willing to participate in follow-up interviews 2-3 years later

Research Circle Impact & Contributions

To the Research

  • Instrument refinement through early participant feedback
  • Enhanced validity via member checking
  • Richer contextualization of quantitative findings
  • Ethical reciprocity by providing learning opportunities

Quality Control session resolved survey issues before broader data collection

To Participants

  • Expert knowledge from specialists in injury prevention and sports psychology
  • Peer learning through shared practice strategies
  • Self-reflection prompted by structured discussion
  • Community building among musicians

Musicians valued the reflection prompted by questions and discussions

The research circle model demonstrates how Swedish brukarmedverkan traditions can be successfully adapted to music education research

Summary

Four successful research circles (September-December 2020) engaged participants in collaborative exploration of practice styles, injury prevention, and psychological aspects of musical practice

Expert contributions from Dr. Bridget Rennie-Salonen and Kristiina Pekkola enriched understanding of health and psychological dimensions

19

Total Research
Participants

4

Research Circles
Conducted

2

Expert Guest
Speakers

Research circles successfully demonstrated the value of brukarmedverkan in music research

Full transcripts distributed to participants • Proposal submitted for ongoing circle continuation

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