Research Catalogue

an international database for artistic research

• 3. Internal publication Research published in this issue are only for internal circulation within the Royal Conservatoire, The Hague.
• 2. Royal Conservatoire Investigations Royal Conservatoire Investigations
• 1. Master Research Projects All research in KC

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  Accessibility of Music Production Software for the Visually Impaired: A study of developing an eyes-free audio application for a surface haptic interface (2021) author(s): Jakub Pesek published in: KC Research Portal
  In the past three decades, the process of music-making moved away from operating analogue devices to using the software running inside of computers. While these advancements provide significant advantages, visually impaired people cannot fully benefit from this progress because some of the software tools are not accessible to them. The aim of this thesis is to explore the accessibility of music production tools for the visually impaired and propose an accessible eyes-free audio equalizer application controlled by a surface haptics interface. To determine the level of accessibility of music production software, this thesis reviews industry practices and research concerning assistive technology in music production by analysing the most popular digital audio workstations' accessibility features. Further, online interviews with visually impaired music producers are conducted to find out about the way they work and their experience with using the software. Finally, an equalizer with a visual display of the EQ curve for a surface haptic interface is designed and developed to explore a new human-computer interaction method that makes it possible to operate audio plugins eyes-free. Due to haptics feedback, the user can control the application in a non-visual way. To validate the application design and potential for improving the accessibility of music production tools, two tests with participants are conducted. The results show that it is possible to control audio equalizer only with haptic feedback. However, more development is needed to improve the user workflow.
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  Down to business (2021) author(s): Heleen Bongenaar published in: KC Research Portal
  This research serves as a guide for musicians to develop their own business models using the Canvas model taking into account legal, economical and competitive context.
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• The horn of Leutgeb and Mozart : investigation and experimentation (2021) author(s): Nicolas Roudier published in: KC Research Portal
  A lot of researches have been conducted on Mozart's work and how to play it, including by myself. Eventhough those works helped our comprehension of this music, we still don't know what particular horn did Leutgeb (the composer's hornist friend) play at the time ; and never have I ever encountered a practical experimentation on such an instrument yet. XVIIIth century horns are rare and never played : every recorded performance of Mozart’s music on hand-horn is played on a copy or a XIXth century horn, which is historically inaccurate. We know a lot of theory ; but no one has gone any further yet. My goal is to step in the unknown : first, to get as close as possible to the horn Leutgeb and Mozart knew ; then, find and play a historical horn from Mozart’s time, and see what impact it has on the playing and the music.
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  Effects of visual instructions in one-on-one violin lessons (2021) author(s): Mauro Smorto published in: KC Research Portal
  Starting from my personal teaching experience, I have been studying the effect of visual instructions on my violin pupils. With a detailed analysis of the interactions between students and teacher and the help of 36 observation sheets, I could finally see the effects of enhancing visuals on student’s musical learning. All conclusions were drawn after taking into account specific studies mentioned in the theoretical framework and with respect to the observations made by three external experts. This research found further evidence of the link between visualization and critical thinking as well.
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  Mindful practicing - Mindfulness and goal setting exercises for fostering self-efficacy (2020) author(s): Magdalena Morales Hidalgo published in: KC Research Portal
  This research explores the creation and application of mindfulness and goal setting exercises and tests its relationship with the construct of self-efficacy for music learning and practicing. Three separate questionnaires and pre- and post-intervention interviews were applied to a sample of 11 conservatory students. All participants but one rated higher scores of self-efficacy for music learning and practicing in one of the questionnaires. The additional questionnaires, interviews and formats that were analyzed give this study a broader scope for identifying distinct factors that may have a relation with the exercises applied and higher self-ratings of self-efficacy. The content of this research provides an analysis of mindfulness practices and goal-setting strategies and their application to the instrumental practice of music conservatory students. The material envisioned for this study is both original and retrieved from external sources. Some of the material is taken from author Vanessa Cornett and her book “The Mindful Musician” (Cornett, 2019), as well as from Sarah Samuel’s book “Mindful Crafting” (2018) and Bernadette Dijkhuizen-Keogh’s work (2019). This research wishes to provide tools not only for students who want to improve their sense of self-efficacy regarding their instrumental practice but also for teachers, who want to explore the material developed in this study with their students.
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  How Do I Compose Music Based on Game Rules? Transforming the Emotions of a Game Into Music (2020) author(s): Il Hoon Son published in: KC Research Portal
  HOW DO I COMPOSE MUSIC BASED ON GAME RULES? Transforming the emotions of a game into music
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