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The role of spirituality in learning music: A case of North American adult students of Japanese music

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 May 2012

Koji Matsunobu
Koji Matsunobu*
Affiliation:
Level 4, Zelman Cowen Building, University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, [email protected]
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Abstract

In this paper the role of spirituality in learning music for North American adult students is explored by examining the case of shakuhachi music. One distinctive character of engaging in music through the shakuhachi is that it facilitates the attainment of an ‘optimal relationship’ between the practitioners’ musical pursuit and self-cultivation through a ‘simple’ media, such as a single tone. The findings indicate that spirituality could be experienced regardless of one's musical skills or the level of outward expression. A second characteristic is that both experienced players and beginners could experience what the spirituality of music means through certain forms of music practice, including the shakuhachi practice, which followed the principle of ‘less is more’.

Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Music Education , Volume 29 , Issue 2 , July 2012 , pp. 181 - 192
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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